Anthropogenic Drivers of Land Use and Land Cover Change in Ghana (2000–2025): A PRISMA-Based Systematic Review and Quantitative Synthesis
Keywords:
Land Use and Land Cover Change, Anthropogenic Drivers, Systematic Review, Quantitative Synthesis, Environmental Degradation, GhanAbstract
Land use and land cover (LULC) in Ghana have undergone substantial transformation over the past two decades, largely driven by the intensification of human activities. This study presents a PRISMA-guided systematic review and quantitative synthesis of peer-reviewed and grey literature published between 2000 and 2025 to examine the major anthropogenic drivers, spatial patterns, and environmental implications of LULC change in Ghana. Using a PICO-informed search strategy, 52 studies were retained for qualitative and quantitative synthesis. Evidence from the reviewed studies shows that agricultural expansion remains the dominant driver of forest loss and vegetation decline, while urbanization and population growth accelerate the conversion of agricultural land, wetlands, and peri-urban landscapes, particularly around Accra, Kumasi, and Sekondi-Takoradi. Mining, including legal and illegal small-scale mining, was identified as a localized but severe driver of land degradation, soil disturbance, and water pollution. The quantitative synthesis compared reported LULC change indicators, including forest loss, built-up expansion, agricultural conversion, wetland degradation, and mining-related land disturbance. Findings indicate that anthropogenic pressures interact with governance weaknesses, land tenure challenges, climate variability, and socio-economic vulnerability to intensify landscape transformation across Ghana’s ecological zones. The study highlights the need for stronger implementation of land-use planning regulations, coordinated institutional governance, climate-adaptive agriculture, responsible mining control, and region-specific restoration strategies. These findings provide an evidence-based foundation for sustainable land management, environmental monitoring, and policy planning in Ghana
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