Integrating human land use, biodiversity and ecosystem feedbacks
Abstract
Human land use profoundly alters ecosystems, influencing biodiversity, ecosystem processes and feedback mechanisms that regulate climate and environmental health. Agricultural expansion, urbanization and resource extraction drive habitat fragmentation, alter biogeochemical cycles and affect species interactions across scales. This review synthesizes current understanding of the interactions between human land use, biodiversity dynamics and ecosystem feedbacks, highlighting key drivers, mechanistic pathways and implications for ecosystem management. Emphasis is placed on pollination services, wetland functions and vegetation-mediated climate regulation. Integrative approaches combining ecological monitoring, remote sensing, microbial studies and social-ecological frameworks are proposed to enhance sustainable land management and biodiversity conservation. The study underscores the need for adaptive strategies that reconcile human development with ecosystem resilience, ensuring long-term environmental and societal well-being.