A review of spatial-explicit factors determining spatial distribution of land use/land-use change

Land development is necessary for human progress, but its impact has resulted in the degradation of ecosystem services not only locally and regionally, but globally as well. Human behavior toward land use/land-use change (LULUC) must be examined and fully understood in order to achieve better land management. Several studies were recently conducted on LULUC patterns, suggesting a relationship between spatial distribution of LULUC and land attributes. We reviewed these studies and listed the factors determining spatial distribution of LULUC, and then we categorized them into: (1) socioeconomic factors, subcategorized into accessibility, local community development, spatial configuration, and political restrictions; and (2) natural environmental factors, subcategorized into topography and productivity. Here, we discuss the effects of these factors, especially road construction as a socioeconomic, accessibility factor, and slope as a natural environmental, topography factor. We also discuss the future work required to provide the tools for better land management.