Land-use change as a central regulator of carbon budgets and ecosystem productivity in a changing climate
Abstract
Land-use Change (LUC) is a primary driver of alterations in ecosystem productivity, carbon storage and global biogeochemical cycles. The conversion of forests, grasslands and wetlands for agriculture, urban development, or other anthropogenic purposes significantly impacts terrestrial carbon budgets, greenhouse gas fluxes and ecosystem resilience under climate change. This article synthesizes current understanding of how LUC influences carbon dynamics and ecosystem productivity across spatial and temporal scales. We examine mechanisms including deforestation, afforestation, agricultural intensification and urbanization and their effects on carbon sequestration, net primary productivity and soil health. We also explore feedbacks between LUC, climate variability and ecosystem services, emphasizing strategies for sustainable land management that mitigate carbon emissions and enhance ecosystem productivity. Understanding these interactions is crucial for climate adaptation, biodiversity conservation and global carbon management.