Stakeholder-informed LCLUC modeling: a state-of-the-art review

Land-Cover and Land-Use Change (LCLUC) models are crucial for analyzing human-environment dynamics and informing sustainable policy development. While technological advances have enhanced the spatial and predictive power of these models, integrating stakeholders’ knowledge and perceptions remains limited, despite its potential to ground models in local realities and improve relevance and impact. This literature review analyzes 154 articles that incorporate stakeholder input into LCLUC modeling. Using both qualitative synthesis by land type and quantitative analysis across nine criteria, the analysis reveals key patterns and limitations. A notable trade-off emerges: higher use of geospatial tools often coincides with reduced stakeholder engagement. Moreover, most studies demonstrate limited real-world applicability and rarely address climate change. These findings underscore the need for hybrid modeling frameworks that strike a balance between technical sophistication and participatory approaches. This review offers guidance for advancing inclusive, impactful, and climate-aware LCLUC research.