Climate change, biodiversity loss, and land degradation are pressing global challenges that are deeply interconnected. Unsustainable land use practices contribute to these crises, degrading ecosystems and reducing their capacity to provide essential services. As climate-related disasters intensify and biodiversity continues to decline, there is an urgent need to rethink our approach to land management.

Sustainable Land Management (SLM) has emerged as a potential solution to simultaneously mitigate climate change and conserve biodiversity. By optimizing land use, improving ecosystem health, and fostering socio-economic development, SLM strategies can address these interrelated challenges. However, the full potential of SLM is often hindered by insufficient policy support, limited funding, and a lack of cross-sector collaboration.

This Research Topic aims to explore how integrated land management approaches can synergistically enhance both climate change mitigation and biodiversity conservation, promoting resilience and sustainability across ecosystems and communities. It seeks to gather research that addresses the innovative and practical strategies for implementing SLM at local, regional, and global scales.

In line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 13 (Climate Action) and SDG 15 (Life on Land), this Research Topic calls for a reconsideration of traditional land use approaches to better integrate climate resilience and biodiversity preservation into land management strategies.

To gather further insights into the boundaries and potential of Sustainable Land Management, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:

• Integrated Approaches to Climate Change and Biodiversity Conservation: Exploring how land management strategies can simultaneously mitigate climate change and promote biodiversity conservation, focusing on techniques like agroforestry, reforestation, and sustainable agriculture.

• Innovative Land Management Practices: Investigating novel land use and ecosystem restoration practices that enhance both climate resilience and biodiversity, such as ecosystem-based adaptation and nature-based solutions.

• Policy and Governance for Sustainable Land Management: Analyzing the role of policies, governance frameworks, and international agreements in supporting integrated approaches to climate change mitigation and biodiversity conservation.

• Trade-offs and Synergies in Land Use: Identifying potential conflicts and synergies when balancing climate, biodiversity, and development goals, and providing insights into how to maximize benefits and minimize trade-offs.

• Technological Advancements in Land Management: Examining the role of emerging technologies (e.g., remote sensing, big data, AI) in improving land management practices for both climate and biodiversity outcomes.

• Community Engagement in Sustainable Land Management: Highlighting the importance of local knowledge, community-based solutions, and stakeholder participation in implementing effective SLM strategies.

• Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience: Investigating how SLM practices can improve ecosystem resilience to climate change impacts and enhance the adaptive capacity of local communities.

The Research Topic invites contributions in various forms, such as original research, review articles, and case studies.

Are you interested in contributing a manuscript to this Research Topic?

Synergistic approaches to sustainable land management: Integrating climate resilience and biodiversity conservation