The impact of Land Use and Land Cover (LULC) changes on coastal dynamics through landscape structure

Coastal areas are dynamic environments shaped by the interaction between natural processes and human activities. Rapid urbanization and land use transformations increasingly threaten the ecological integrity and spatial structure of coastal landscapes. In this context, this study aims to examine the impacts of land use and land cover (LULC) changes on coastal landscape structure and user perception through a comparative analysis of two adjacent beach areas in Budva, Montenegro—one affected by LULC change and another largely preserving its natural structure. The research integrates a multi-criteria decision-making framework and perception-based analysis. The Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) was employed to evaluate the relative importance of ecological and functional landscape criteria, including coastal protection capacity, biodiversity contribution, aesthetic value, and public usability. In addition, user perception data were analyzed using SPSS statistical methods, including correlation analysis and one-sample t-tests. The findings reveal that coastal areas maintaining their natural characteristics perform better in terms of ecological functionality and user satisfaction. Criteria related to coastal protection and biodiversity received the highest importance in the AHP evaluation, while statistical analyses indicated strong relationships between ecological attributes and user perception variables. Overall, the results highlight the importance of integrating ecological indicators and user perception into coastal landscape planning. The study emphasizes the role of nature-based solutions and multi-criteria evaluation approaches in supporting sustainable coastal management and improving the resilience of coastal environments.