The nexus of agricultural land use change and food security: A comprehensive systematic review

Abstract

The nexus between agricultural land use change and food security represents a critical area of inquiry in the context of contemporary global challenges, including rapid economic development and climate change. As land use patterns evolve, the availability and accessibility of food resources are significantly affected, necessitating a comprehensive understanding of this relationship to inform sustainable practices that can meet future food demands. This systematic review aims to explore the multifaceted dimensions of the nexus between agricultural land use change and food security by examining the drivers of land-use change, assessing its consequences for food security, and identifying potential pathways to align agricultural development with food security objectives. Employing a systematic review methodology, this study rigorously evaluates research published between 2000 and 2024 that addresses the effects of agricultural land use change on food security. Inclusion criteria were meticulously designed to encompass studies that focused on pertinent keywords, provided essential data relevant to key research questions, and clearly articulated their methodologies. Data extraction adhered to the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) checklist, ensuring comprehensive and systematic reporting of findings. Additionally, VOSviewer software was utilized to visualize the thematic networks within the reviewed literature, enhancing the understanding of interconnections across studies. The systematic review identified a significant increase in scholarly attention to the nexus between agricultural land use change and food security, particularly from 2015 to 2020. A total of 29 peer-reviewed articles were analyzed, revealing that quantitative methodologies predominated, with researchers utilizing diverse data sources, including satellite imagery and statistical software, to assess the impacts of land use changes on food security dimensions—availability, access, utilization, and stability. The findings indicate that the conversion of agricultural land for urban and industrial purposes substantially reduces arable land, thereby limiting access to essential food production resources. Furthermore, 52 % of the reviewed studies highlighted the adverse effects of land use change on food access, while 18 % addressed its implications for food availability. The results underscore the urgent need for effective monitoring and management strategies to safeguard food security, emphasizing the importance of sustainable land management practices and interdisciplinary research to inform policy and practice.