title: A conceptual framework for analysing and measuring land-use intensity.
abstract: Large knowledge gaps currently exist that limit our ability to understand and characterise dynamics and patterns of land-use intensity: in particular, a comprehensive conceptual framework and a system of measurement are lacking. This situation hampers the development of a sound understanding of the mechanisms, determinants, and constraints underlying changes in land-use intensity. On the basis of a review of approaches for studying land-use intensity, we propose a conceptual framework to quantify and analyse land-use intensity. This framework integrates three dimensions: (a) input intensity, (b) output intensity, and (c) the associated system-level impacts of land-based production (e.g. changes in carbon storage or biodiversity). The systematic development of indicators across these dimensions would provide opportunities for the systematic analyses of the trade-offs, synergies and opportunity costs of land-use intensification strategies.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Social Ecology Vienna (SEC), Alpen-Adria University Klagenfurt, Wien, Graz, Schottenfeldgasse 29, 1070 Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: Karl-Heinz
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Erb
authors.forename: Helmut
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Haberl
authors.forename: Martin Rudbeck
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Jepsen
authors.forename: Tobias
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kuemmerle
authors.forename: Marcus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lindner
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Müller
authors.forename: Peter H
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: Verburg
authors.forename: Anette
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Reenberg