Current Volume 9
Participatory Land Governance and Community Stewardship: A Review of Strategies for Managing Land-Cover Change, Climate Variability, And Sustainable Built-Environment Outcomes
Abstract
Land-use and land-cover transitions across dry land environments remain central to debates on environmental degradation, climate instability, and the sustainability of human settlements. This article synthesises empirical and conceptual evidence on how participatory land governance, community-led stewardship, and climate-responsive development practices interact to shape ecological and built-environment outcomes in vulnerable regions. Drawing on documented experiences from Sahelian countries including Farmer-Managed Natural Regeneration (FMNR), participatory rangeland rehabilitation, and community-based watershed restoration the review highlights the capacity of local actors to drive transformative landscape recovery when supported by enabling institutions and appropriate technical guidance. Key insights from the literature indicate that bottom-up land management enhances vegetation regrowth, strengthens soil structure, moderates surface temperatures, and improves hydrological functioning. These ecological gains translate into broader societal benefits such as improved agricultural performance, reduced exposure to climate hazards, and increased livelihood security. The review further shows that integrating local environmental governance with climate-responsive construction practices and sustainable settlement planning can reduce infrastructural vulnerability and advance long-term resilience in expanding rural and peri-urban communities. A multidisciplinary analytical lens reveals that successful interventions commonly rely on four reinforcing pillars: local knowledge systems, reliable environmental monitoring tools, adaptive land-use strategies, and coherent policy frameworks that prioritise community rights and long-term ecological health. By weaving together environmental science, project management, and climate-resilience theory, the article presents a holistic perspective on how socio-ecological systems can be steered toward sustainability in regions facing rapid environmental change. Overall, the review underscores the importance of coordinated, community-anchored, and evidence-driven approaches for mitigating land degradation, stabilising climate-related risks, and promoting resilient built environments in dry land settings.
Keywords
Participatory Land Governance, Land-Cover Change, Climate Variability, Dry Land, Vegetation Regeneration, Local Knowledge Systems.
Citations
IRE Journals:
Garba T, I. D. Choji, N. M. Nasiru, K. G. Ilelah, M. A. Jalam "Participatory Land Governance and Community Stewardship: A Review of Strategies for Managing Land-Cover Change, Climate Variability, And Sustainable Built-Environment Outcomes" Iconic Research And Engineering Journals Volume 9 Issue 6 2025 Page 2633-2642 https://doi.org/10.64388/IREV9I6-1712527
IEEE:
Garba T, I. D. Choji, N. M. Nasiru, K. G. Ilelah, M. A. Jalam
"Participatory Land Governance and Community Stewardship: A Review of Strategies for Managing Land-Cover Change, Climate Variability, And Sustainable Built-Environment Outcomes" Iconic Research And Engineering Journals, 9(6) https://doi.org/10.64388/IREV9I6-1712527
About IRE Journals
IRE Journals is an open access online journals established with an aim to publish high quality of research work in various diciplines. We have more than 6 years in publications. Over 2500+ papers already published.
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