Preface

Land-use management stands at the crossroads of human development and environmental stewardship, shaping the landscapes that define our communities and the intricate ecosystems that sustain life. As we navigate an era marked by unprecedented global challenges, the importance of thoughtful and sustainable land-use practices has never been more evident.

This book, *Land-Use Management – Recent Advances, New Perspectives, and Applications*, is the result of collaborative efforts from a diverse array of experts who share a common passion for understanding, improving, and responsibly guiding the use of our terrestrial resources. In these pages, we aim to provide a comprehensive exploration of the latest advancements in land-use management, offering fresh perspectives and practical applications that reflect the evolving needs of our societies.

The journey begins with an acknowledgment of the complex interplay between human activities and the environment. We recognize the urgency to adopt innovative approaches that balance development with conservation, harness technology for sustainable outcomes, and embrace the principles of inclusivity and community engagement.

Each chapter within this book is a testament to the dynamism and interconnectedness inherent in effective land-use management. From the intricacies of urban planning to the sustainable practices transforming agriculture, and the integration of cutting-edge technologies, our contributors provide valuable insights into the multifaceted world of land use.

We invite readers to delve into these pages with an open mind and a curiosity for the possibilities that lie ahead. Whether you are a seasoned professional, a policymaker, an academic, or a concerned citizen, we hope this book serves as a valuable resource for understanding the complexities of contemporary land-use challenges and inspires collective action towards a more sustainable and resilient future.

May this exploration into recent advances, new perspectives, and practical applications in land-use management contribute to a broader conversation and drive positive change on a global scale.

This edited book consists of eleven chapters focusing on land-use management.

Chapter 1, "Assessing the Potential Flood Mitigation Services of a Former Golf Course with a Focus on Flood Storage", focuses on golf course closures in the United States since 2006, which present an opportunity for maximizing ecosystem services. A former course in Ohio was assessed for flood storage potential as part of future planning. Reversing culvert flow reconnected the stream to its floodplain. Monitoring, mapping, and two models estimated flood storage, revealing up to 103 K cubic meters and 2.1% of stormflow stored on the surface, with additional subsurface storage. The site also provides ecosystem services such as water purification, soil formation, and nutrient cycling.

Chapter 2, "Carbon Sequestration as a Land Management Strategy", examines the carbon sequestration in the AFOLU sector, which employs land management strategies (afforestation, restoration, soil carbon sequestration, and bioenergy) traded for payments in compliance and voluntary carbon markets. Compliance markets target national emissions reduction per international agreements, while voluntary markets involve governments and private sector engagement for global emission goals. Both face a common challenge: insufficient funding access for forest-dependent communities, impacting land management effectiveness.

Chapter 3, "How Far the Mono Transboundary Biosphere Reserve Protects Biodiversity in the Dahomey-Gap Corridor, West Africa?", describes how the Mono Transboundary Biosphere Reserve (MTBR), spanning Benin and Togo, faces anthropogenic pressures, necessitating prospective analysis for balanced biodiversity. Using land use and land cover (LULC) changes from 1986 to 2015, with Markovian chain analysis, this study predicts future LULC up to 2070. Urban/bare soil increased (8.79 ha/year) from 1986 to 2000, while mangroves expanded (9.81 ha/year) from 2000 to 2015. Projecting this dynamic, mangroves are expected to increase by 6% by 2070, but farmland may increase significantly (13%). Strengthening management strategies within MTBR is crucial for sustainable biological resource management.

Chapter 4, "Improving the Sustainability of Agriculture: Challenges and Opportunities", discusses how agricultural practices underpin global development and how unsustainable production may jeopardize future land capacity. Sustainable agriculture, hindered by issues like reliance on external inputs and climate change, offers a solution. Challenges include technology gaps and climate impacts. Proposed strategies involve reducing artificial fertilizer use, promoting local organic sources, and improving small-scale irrigation with environmental considerations. This chapter provides a brief overview of sustainable agriculture, its components, and challenges in achieving overall sustainability worldwide.

Chapter 5, "Integrated Effect of the Payment for Forest Environmental Services (PFES) in Vietnam", describes how the Payment for Forest Environmental Services (PFES) is a vital tool in global forest resource management, notably in countries like Vietnam. Instituted in 2010, the Vietnamese PFES policy enhances forest protection and livelihoods of forest-dependent communities. This chapter analyzes the PFES policy and evaluates its effectiveness in Ba Be district, Bac Kan province, focusing on environmental, economic, and social aspects. The synthesis highlights the overall positive impact of the PFES program in Vietnam and suggests solutions for its improvement and promotion in Vietnam and other developing nations globally.

Chapter 6, "Moving Horizon, Design Praxis through Soil Transformation: A Landscape Manifesto", describes how the moving horizon originates from a doctoral investigation, exploring the intricate relationship between landscape design and soil transformation. Emphasizing the dynamic nature of soil, the study asserts its pivotal role in landscape evolution. The soil, considered a live and dynamic material, shifts from the background to the foreground in both design practice and theoretical implications. The assessment results in ten propositions forming a landscape manifesto. The approach is applied in the Ravenna Climate Change Adaptation Plan, integrating soil understanding and transformation into territorial adaptation measures for climate change.

Chapter 7, "Perspectives and Application of Land Use Management Strategies to Address Mangrove Ecosystem Degradation in Guyana: A Case Study of Mon Repos", focuses on the coastal mangrove ecosystems in Guyana, which face persistent threats due to erosion, infrastructure development, and environmental degradation. Despite efforts, the National Mangrove Project Office's strategies, including public awareness, have not fully resolved the issues. This chapter advocates for zoning and regionalization effectiveness in combating mangrove degradation at Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara. Literature survey, document analysis, and ArcGIS Pro with remote sensing reveals potential positive impacts on ecosystem services, livelihoods, and waste management. However, a lack of real-time data hinders effectiveness, prompting recommendations for implementing strategies like geographic information systems, remote sensing, and a multiple-use conservation zoning plan.

Chapter 8, "Soil Evolution after Riparian Buffer Installation", describes how the Riparian buffers, engineered for water resource protection, aesthetics, and economic benefits, now showcase a novel role in preserving soil organic carbon. This review explores their support for ecosystem services and carbon sequestration potential and presents a case study from east-central Missouri. After 18 years, the riparian buffer exhibited 3.4% soil organic matter compared to 1.7% in the adjacent field, indicating significant carbon capture and preservation. Ammonium and sulfate concentrations were notably higher in the buffer, emphasizing its positive impact on habitat and soil water quality.

Chapter 9, "Threats and Sustainability of Brazil Nut (*Bertholletia excelsa* Bonpl.) Pre-Industrialization in the Amazon Region", describes how the Brazil nut (*Bertholletia excelsa*) is vital in the Amazon, but its seed production's climate change dynamics are poorly understood. Seed data spanning 1990–2021 in Baixo Amazonas revealed variable annual production (2156–10,235 tons), averaging 5192 tons. Linear regression showed no direct links between seed production and current-year climate variables (p > 0.05). However, significant associations emerged with prior-year climatic factors (p < 0.05), notably temperature, indicating a 1°C rise correlates with a 2595-to-2673-ton seed volume decrease. Temperature explains 38%–42% of seed volume variability, emphasizing the need to address global warming, enhance seed value processes, and cultivate climate-adapted *B. excelsa* varieties.

Chapter 10, "Towards Overcoming the Challenges to Adopting Ecosystem-Based Management Approach for Protected Areas: The Case of Serengeti Ecosystem", highlights how ecosystem-based planning is crucial for wildlife-protected areas, ensuring ecological integrity and wildlife survival. Most African protected areas were established before this approach, necessitating the adoption of ecosystem-based management (EBM) for ecological integrity and wildlife survival. The vast and complex Serengeti Ecosystem faces challenges, notably human–wildlife conflicts (HWCs). Despite various initiatives, the Greater Serengeti Conservation Society appears promising for successfully implementing EBM, addressing challenges for the Serengeti Ecosystem's sustainability.

Chapter 11, "Urban Planning and Land-Use Management in Jerusalem – Chronological Analysis: Urban Perspectives in Contested Cities", focuses on how Jerusalem's urban policies, shaped by four regimes (Ottoman rule, British mandate, Jordanian control, and Israeli occupation), reveal a complex spatial history. In less than 50 years (1917–1967), the city underwent transformative planning paradigms, impacting population and growth. These changes led to socio-spatial challenges, altering population composition and creating a paradoxical urban fabric. The successive authorities, culminating in the Israeli occupation, established intricate rules, resulting in a complex and spatially unsustainable planning system, exacerbating urban conflicts.

We hope this book will help readers navigate the intricate field of land-use management. This book aspires to be a guiding thread, weaving together the latest insights, diverse perspectives, and innovative applications. As we embark on this collective journey, may the pages that follow inspire a shared commitment to responsible stewardship, sustainable practices, and the harmonious coexistence of humanity and the environment.

> **Sérgio António Neves Lousada** UMa - Faculdade de Ciências Exatas e da Engenharia, Campus Universitário da Penteada, Funchal, Portugal
