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

Environmental and human well-being outcomes are closely linked, and evaluating them in isolation risks overlooking their interacting mechanisms. Interventions should be grounded in local socio-economic and ecological contexts, allow for continuous learning and adjustment, and prioritise inclusive, fair and equitable approaches. More rigorous, theory-informed evaluations that report on both environmental and human well-being are needed. Future research should also better integrate cost-effectiveness analyses from the outset and track long-term and equity-related outcomes. Using agile evaluation methods and remote-sensing data can help close evidence gaps and improve decision-making in complex and dynamic environments.