Site‐specific modulators control how geophysical and socio‐technical drivers shape land use and land cover

Abstract

Human utilisation of natural resources is the most important direct driver of land cover patterns in the Anthropocene. Here, we present a conceptual framework for how the effects of geophysical drivers (e.g., topography, soil, climate, and hydrology) and socio‐technical drivers (e.g., technology, legal regulation, economy, and culture) on land use and land cover are shaped by site‐specific modulators such as local topography and social and cultural backgrounds of individuals. The framework is demonstrated by examples from the literature, with emphasis on the north‐western European lowland agricultural region. For example, a geophysical driver such as slope of the terrain constrains land use and is thereby an important driver of land covers, for example, forests. This effect of slope can vary depending on site‐specific modulators such as local soil fertility, local topographic heterogeneity, and shifting human population densities. Acknowledging the importance of site‐specific modulators on how geophysical and socio‐technical drivers shape land use and land covers will strengthen research on human–environmental interactions – especially important with the future increase in human populations in a constant changing world.

Targeting Land Use Change to Enhance Multiple Environmental Benefits - A Mini Review

“…Hence, the two main goals assessed in this review are: a) To lower N loads by 13,000 t N/year and b) Achieve five mill ton dry-matter protein form grassland. We adopt the framework described in Odgaard et al [21] to increase attention on how to gain environmental benefits from land-use change due to spatial variations in local environmental International Journal of Environmental Sciences & Natural Resources variables using a targeted approach. The framework [21] consists of three parts: 1) the effects of geophysical constraints and sociotechnical drives on land use (part 1), how this effect is shaped by site-specific modulators (part 2), and eventually causing direct land use and new land cover patterns (part 3).…”

“…Hence, national goals to lower N or boost existing nature can affect how humans decide to utilize the land and this effect can be modulated by site specific N loads, soil values, or amount of surrounding nature (Figure 1). [22] exemplified with results from Odgaard [20,21]. The effect of the sociotechnical drivers (described as the two national goals: 1) to lower coastal nitrogen (N) loads by 13,000 ton N/yr and 2) boost existing nature areas) on land use (part 1) is shaped by site specific modulators (described as costal N loads and size of nature areas) (part 2) causing spatial distribution of land cover patterns (described as converting from agricultural land to set aside or from cereal production to grasslands (part 3).…”

“…Here, we use the Danish region to argue the potential to achieve multiple environmental benefits while changing agricultural practice. We describe a targeted approach to detect areas, which should be the first to undergo a certain land use change (from intense agriculture to set aside [19] and from cereal to grassland [20] based on local environments characteristics and thereby how to strengthen the complete agro-ecological system while taking spatial varying relationships between driver and response into account, as described from the conceptual framework in Odgaard et al [21].…”

Spatial and temporal patterns of upland vegetation over the last 200 years in the northern pyrenees: Example from the Bassiès valley, Ariège, France

“…Combined with precise pastoral data now available on the study area, this will provide insights into how geophysical and socio-demographical drivers can shape the long-term land-cover changes and how the strength of these drivers may vary geographically according to site-specific conditions (Odgaard et al, 2018) Tables:…”