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Feature Papers for Land Systems and Global Change Section: 2nd...
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Feature Papers for Land Systems and Global Change Section: 2nd Edition

A special issue of Land (ISSN 2073-445X). This special issue belongs to the section "Land Systems and Global Change".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 July 2025 | Viewed by 8235

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Le Yu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department for Earth System Science, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
Interests: land system science; land remote sensing; GIS; biodiversity conservation
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Xin Chen

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Institute of Loess Plateau, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030000, China
Interests: land
Dr. Zhenrong Du

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Information and Communication Engineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, China
Interests: remote sensing information extraction; land and agricultural remote sensing monitoring applications
Dr. Pengyu Hao

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Viale delle Terme di Caracalla, 00153 Rome, Italy
Interests: remote sensing; land cover; agriculture; ET; time series
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The Special Issue: “Feature Papers for Land Systems and Global Change Section: 2nd Edition” welcomes contributions concerning the observation and modelling of land system changes. Innovative and transparent datasets and models are vital elements and tools to foster land science.

We welcome reviews and outstanding articles to this Special Issue in order to improve the current knowledge on the datasets and models for land system and global change studies. Interdisciplinary manuscripts are particularly welcome.

Dr. Le Yu
Dr. Xin Chen
Dr. Zhenrong Du
Dr. Pengyu Hao
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Land is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • land system
  • global change
  • datasets
  • models
  • time series

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Related Special Issue

Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

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36 pages, 12551 KiB  
Article
Revealing the Spatiotemporal Changes in Land Use and Landscape Patterns and Their Effects on Ecosystem Services: A Case Study in the Western Sichuan Urban Agglomeration, China
by Jing Wang, Peihao Peng, Tao Liu, Juan Wang, Shiqi Zhang and Pengtao Niu
Land 2025, 14(5), 1012; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14051012 - 7 May 2025
Viewed by 167
Abstract
Land use change significantly influences landscape pattern adjustments, thereby altering ecosystem functions and service flows, ultimately impacting ecosystem service value (ESV). However, previous studies have often examined the impacts of land use change and landscape patterns on ecosystem services from a one-dimensional perspective, [...] Read more.
Land use change significantly influences landscape pattern adjustments, thereby altering ecosystem functions and service flows, ultimately impacting ecosystem service value (ESV). However, previous studies have often examined the impacts of land use change and landscape patterns on ecosystem services from a one-dimensional perspective, overlooking the complex interactions among these factors. This study proposes a “process–structure–value” response framework and applies it to a case study of the western Sichuan urban agglomeration. Its aim is to identify the spatial and temporal characteristics of land use and landscape pattern evolution. Additionally, it quantitatively evaluates the synergistic effects of these changes on ESV evolution from 2000 to 2020 using a correlation analysis. The results show that, over the past 20 years, the study area experienced a significant expansion of construction land by 184,729.41 hm2, leading to the dispersion and fragmentation of arable land, grassland, and waters, resulting in an overall trend of fragmentation and diversification in landscape patterns. The ESV increased by CNY 2.619 billion, primarily due to the increased ESV associated with forest land and waters. This study found that the synergistic effects of land use processes and landscape pattern structures significantly enhanced ESV. The transition from construction land and arable land to forest land and waters notably improved the ESV. Meanwhile, increased landscape diversity and patch connectivity further enhanced the ecosystem service function. Furthermore, the ecological environment of the study area remained vulnerable despite the increased ESV. Overall, the results highlight the significant correlation between changes in land use processes, landscape patterns, and ESV, emphasizing the necessity of integrating the “process–structure–value” framework in future research to comprehensively assess the responses of land use and landscape patterns to ESV, providing a more comprehensive reference for land use planning and policy development. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers for Land Systems and Global Change Section: 2nd Edition)
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23 pages, 2479 KiB  
Article
Ecological Transition in Spain: Political Polarization Through Institutions and Media
by Reinald Besalú, Arantxa Capdevila and Carlota M. Moragas-Fernández
Land 2025, 14(4), 866; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14040866 - 15 Apr 2025
Viewed by 638
Abstract
While most Spanish citizens recognize the urgency of climate change, opinions differ on the specific measures to mitigate it, which are grouped under the concept of ecological transition. The ecological transition policies put forward by states, parties, and political leaders have become a [...] Read more.
While most Spanish citizens recognize the urgency of climate change, opinions differ on the specific measures to mitigate it, which are grouped under the concept of ecological transition. The ecological transition policies put forward by states, parties, and political leaders have become a factor of political polarization, with the media—through their role as shapers of public discourse—playing a significant part. In this article, we examine the ecological transition from two perspectives. First, we explore the level of political polarization among Spanish society regarding how ecological transition is framed and how ecological transition measures are perceived. Second, we investigate how the media cover these measures and views to identify potential connections between their portrayal of the issue and the public’s perceptions. A two-pronged methodological approach is applied: a survey to assess citizens’ perceptions and a content analysis of four Spanish newspapers with diverse editorial leanings to evaluate the media treatment of the topic. Results show that left-wing respondents agree more with the idea that ecological transition is the solution to climate change, whereas right-wing respondents more frequently view it as a threat to current lifestyles and as a process imposed by governments. These results are also reflected in the press coverage of ecological transition. We conclude that the press emerges as an actor that reinforces the existing political polarization in society around ecological transition. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers for Land Systems and Global Change Section: 2nd Edition)
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22 pages, 303 KiB  
Article
From Soil to Servers: Persistent Neglect of Land Resources and Its Looming Repetition for Users in the Digital Age
by Ünsal Özdilek
Land 2025, 14(2), 341; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14020341 - 7 Feb 2025
Viewed by 697
Abstract
For well over a century, unresolved ambiguities in defining land as a finite, non-renewable resource have often facilitated rent-seeking and shaped inequitable distributions of wealth derived from nature and collective contributions. In the absence of clear conceptual and legal distinctions between land’s intrinsic [...] Read more.
For well over a century, unresolved ambiguities in defining land as a finite, non-renewable resource have often facilitated rent-seeking and shaped inequitable distributions of wealth derived from nature and collective contributions. In the absence of clear conceptual and legal distinctions between land’s intrinsic worth and the incremental value conferred by human-made improvements, communities and ecosystems were frequently denied their rightful share, thereby influencing inequitable economic, social, and environmental trajectories. Though not universal, these historical patterns now reemerge in “digital land” platforms, where data, user engagement, and communal knowledge are likewise subject to private appropriation. By bridging these classical land debates with emerging forms of digital exploitation, this article offers a novel theoretical framework that reveals how unresolved land-valuation ambiguities reappear in user-generated data ecosystems. Without robust conceptual frameworks and effective regulatory oversight, such digital spheres risk replicating the exploitative logic once attached to physical land. By clarifying these parallels, this article underscores the urgent need for well-informed governance inspired by past land policy debates—particularly those focused on equity, transparency, and sustainability. Ensuring that resource management, whether rooted in soil or servers, consistently adheres to principles of fairness and shared prosperity is essential to avert new forms of unregulated extraction and to advance more inclusive, sustainable development. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers for Land Systems and Global Change Section: 2nd Edition)
15 pages, 3264 KiB  
Article
Assessing the Effects of Climate Change and Anthropogenic Contributions in Parishan Wetland, Iran
by Mohammad Kazemi Garajeh, Khalil Valizadeh Kamran, Bakhtiar Feizizadeh, Omid Ghaffari Aliabad, Mousa Saei and Amin Sadeqi
Land 2025, 14(2), 313; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14020313 - 3 Feb 2025
Viewed by 1084
Abstract
Wetlands provide essential benefits, including flood control, water quality enhancement, shoreline erosion prevention, natural resource conservation, recreational opportunities, and esthetic value. However, climate change and human activities have recently posed significant threats to these ecosystems. To address this issue, we employed an integrated [...] Read more.
Wetlands provide essential benefits, including flood control, water quality enhancement, shoreline erosion prevention, natural resource conservation, recreational opportunities, and esthetic value. However, climate change and human activities have recently posed significant threats to these ecosystems. To address this issue, we employed an integrated approach combining remote sensing and the cloud-free Google Earth Engine (GEE) to monitor the impacts of climate change and human activities on Parishan Wetland in Iran. In this study, various climatic and anthropogenic factors, including air temperature (AT), precipitation, built-up area, croplands, and groundwater storage, were analyzed over the period from 2001 to 2010 to explore their potential effects on wetland conditions. The Pearson correlation test was used to assess the relationships between these variables and wetland health. Also, non-parametric Mann–Kendall (MK) and Pettitt tests were employed to identify monotonic trends and shifts in the time series. The findings suggest a complex interplay of climatic and anthropogenic factors impacting the wetland’s ecosystem. Groundwater availability emerged as the most influential factor, with a very strong positive correlation of 0.92, highlighting the critical role of groundwater in sustaining wetland ecosystems. Air temperature values in recent years have shown a significant increasing trend, while precipitation exhibits a statistically significant decreasing trend. These factors, along with the slightly increasing built-up area, which negatively impacts the natural ecosystem, indicate an urgent need to restore the wetland. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers for Land Systems and Global Change Section: 2nd Edition)
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20 pages, 770 KiB  
Article
The Road to 2030: Evaluating Europe’s Progress on Sustainable Ecosystem Protection and Restoration
by Daniela Firoiu, George H. Ionescu, Cerasela Pîrvu, Ramona Pîrvu, Cristian Mihai Cismaș and Melinda Petronela Costin
Land 2024, 13(12), 1974; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13121974 - 21 Nov 2024
Viewed by 999
Abstract
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development emphasizes the interconnectedness of its economic, social, and environmental dimensions, recognizing their essential role in promoting human well-being. This study provides an in-depth analysis of EU Member States’ progress towards Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 15—Life on Land—as [...] Read more.
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development emphasizes the interconnectedness of its economic, social, and environmental dimensions, recognizing their essential role in promoting human well-being. This study provides an in-depth analysis of EU Member States’ progress towards Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 15—Life on Land—as outlined in the 2030 Agenda. Using official data from Eurostat, this study applies the AAA (Holt–Winters) exponential smoothing algorithm to analyze trends in key indicators from 2011 to 2021 and project these trends to 2030. The results reveal notable progress in the first years since the adoption of the 2030 Agenda but also highlights drought and soil erosion as escalating risks, particularly in Mediterranean regions and areas of intensive agriculture (Spain, Cyprus, Greece). Water quality emerges as a critical concern, and, alongside the ongoing rise in soil sealing, presents an added threat to ecological stability, agricultural productivity, and overall well-being. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers for Land Systems and Global Change Section: 2nd Edition)
22 pages, 16815 KiB  
Article
Identifying Potential Urban Greenways by Considering Green Space Exposure Levels and Maximizing Recreational Flows: A Case Study in Beijing’s Built-Up Areas
by Tao Liu, Le Yu, Xin Chen, Yunmiao Chen, Xiaomeng Li, Xinyi Liu, Yue Cao, Fan Zhang, Chenggang Zhang and Peng Gong
Land 2024, 13(11), 1793; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13111793 - 31 Oct 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2911
Abstract
Urban greenways are pivotal in enriching urban quality and fostering socio-ecological sustainability. Previous studies on urban greenway networks have often overlooked user-based experience efficiency, leading to the underutilization and insufficient translation of cultural services into human well-being. In this study, we introduce a [...] Read more.
Urban greenways are pivotal in enriching urban quality and fostering socio-ecological sustainability. Previous studies on urban greenway networks have often overlooked user-based experience efficiency, leading to the underutilization and insufficient translation of cultural services into human well-being. In this study, we introduce a user behavior-driven assessment framework for planning multifunctional urban greenways that connect parks with high green space exposure and maximize recreational mobility. Beijing’s built-up urban areas (BBUA) were selected as the case study area. Firstly, we evaluated the green space exposure of 331 parks in BBUA using an integrated “Availability–Accessibility–Adaptability” assessment framework as potential carriers. Then, through spatially explicit workflows and the least-cost path methodology, we leveraged a vast dataset of 70 million public transportation swipe records to optimize the alignment of multifunctional greenways, prioritizing the criterion of maximizing recreational footfalls. The results showed that the potential greenways network spans 1566.36 km in BBUA, encompassing 93.88% of parks and offering six diverse functions. It can serve 34.39–35.92% of bus recreation passengers, with this ratio tending to be higher on weekends. However, we identified obstacle points (non-greenway sections) in the networks based on residents’ view perceptions and panoramic street images, primarily located in densely built-up central areas and along southern trunk roads. By addressing these disconnections, the integrity and connectivity of urban greenway networks in BBUA will be improved. Overall, the framework we present can be used to construct greenway networks that maximize the perceived accessibility for bus-based visitors, with valuable implications for sustainable urban planning and regeneration initiatives. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers for Land Systems and Global Change Section: 2nd Edition)
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34 pages, 2355 KiB  
Perspective
A National Vision for Land Use Planning in the United States
by Eric G. Darracq, Jeffrey J. Brooks and Andrea K. Darracq
Land 2025, 14(5), 1121; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14051121 - 21 May 2025
Abstract
The time is nigh to organize the physical landscapes of the United States under a unified land use policy and planning framework. As human populations have steadily grown, so has the urgency for agencies to plan for land uses at broader scales to [...] Read more.
The time is nigh to organize the physical landscapes of the United States under a unified land use policy and planning framework. As human populations have steadily grown, so has the urgency for agencies to plan for land uses at broader scales to overcome continued jurisdictional fragmentation and achieve sustainable and environmentally just landscapes. This paper introduces a vision, conceptual approach, and implementation strategy that applies ecoregions and proposes a unified framework for land use planning and regulation in the United States. The Sustainable Ecoregion Program (SEP) is designed to enable local landowners; public stakeholders; other land users; and state, regional, tribal, and national natural resource professionals to set and achieve future desired conditions for sustainable land uses across landscapes. The objective is to outline a comprehensive and sustainably just solution to the recurring problem of managing conflicting land uses in the face of continued degradation and multiple land tenure systems. The SEP will determine how much of the physical landscape will go to developed, agricultural, and natural landcover types. The framework includes recognition of level III ecoregions as primary boundaries, proposed secondary boundaries and shapes to enhance connectivity and movement across landscapes, a proposed structure for the environmental governance and co-management of landscapes, and definitions of physical landscape types. The benefits and challenges of the SEP are discussed. The outcomes of the SEP include ecological integrity, sustainable land use management, deliberative democracy, just sustainability, and improved quality of life for residents of the United States. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers for Land Systems and Global Change Section: 2nd Edition)
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