The Impact Of Land-Use Changes On Species Diversity And Ecosystem Functioning In Agricultural Landscapes

Abstract

Land-use change, driven by agricultural intensification, habitat fragmentation, and landscape simplification, has emerged as a primary threat to global biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. Agricultural landscapes, once capable of supporting a diverse array of species and ecological processes, are increasingly subjected to monocultures, agrochemical inputs, and structural homogenization. This research investigates the multifaceted impacts of land-use transformation on species richness, functional diversity, and key ecosystem services, including pollination, pest control, nutrient cycling, and soil fertility. Drawing upon recent empirical studies and meta-analyses, we examine how changes in landscape configuration, crop diversity, and land management practices alter ecological networks and trophic interactions. The findings reveal that biodiversity loss is strongly correlated with reduced ecosystem resilience and diminished provisioning and regulatory functions. However, landscape heterogeneity, agroecological practices, and conservation buffers can mitigate negative effects and promote multifunctional agroecosystems. This paper underscores the urgent need for integrative land-use planning and biodiversity-friendly agricultural policies to reconcile food production goals with ecological sustainability.