Spatial patterns of global land management intensity are influenced by socioeconomic, biophysical and behavioural factors

Abstract. Land systems are increasingly influenced not only by land-use change but also by land management intensity. However, there limitations exist in data and in systematic understanding of management intensity and how it is shaped by socioeconomic, biophysical and human behaviour. We develop a global dataset of land management intensity for 2020 at 0.01 ° spatial resolution, distinguishing unmanaged, very extensive, extensive, and intensive management across cropland, pasture, and forest systems. Intensive management occupies about 22 % of global managed land, while extensive and very extensive management dominate (78 %). Intensive cropland management accounts for around 44 % of cropland area, but intensive pasture is limited to 10 % of pasture area, and intensive forest systems to only 5 % of forest area, revealing distinct sectoral contrasts. Management intensity is highly heterogeneous, with intensive cropland concentrated in North America, Europe, and South and East Asia, while extensive management dominates in Africa and Latin America. Five countries account for nearly half of global intensive cropland. Income, market access, population density, and aridity influences cropland management intensity, whereas pastures and forests show more complex relationships. Comparison with global land decision-making types shows spatial consistency (68 %), suggesting that land management intensity is influenced by land-user behaviour.