PROTOCOL: The Effects of Land Management Policies on the Environment and People in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Addressing the climate change and biodiversity loss crises while ensuring livelihoods are not negatively affected is a matter that requires urgent action. A recently published Evidence Gap Map (EGM) identified no recent systematic reviews on land management interventions. Drawing from this EGM, the review aims to examine and synthesise the latest evidence on what works, how, and at what cost to improve environmental and human welfare outcomes in land management in low- and middle-income countries. We will address the following research questions: (1) What are the effects of protected areas, land rights and decentralisation interventions on environmental and poverty outcomes? Do effects vary by population, location, or other factors? (2) What are the barriers and enablers that impact the effectiveness of these interventions? (3) What is the cost-effectiveness of these interventions? The set of interventions will be based on the studies identified in the EGM, and we will search, appraise and synthesise additional evidence on influencing factors and cost data.