Current Knowledge and Research Gap in Land Use Land Cover Changes and Biodiversity of Mountain Ecosystem: A Bibliometric Review

Abstract: Land use and cover change (LULCC) are critical global issues and a significant driver of biodiversity loss and imbalance in mountain ecosystems. Mountains are usually rich in biodiversity and can provide a wide range of ecosystem services with multifunctional benefits for human well-being. South Africa, one of the world's most biodiverse countries, has the majority of its mountain areas facing challenges such as biodiversity loss, uncontrolled development, and land degradation, frequently resulting in economic loss and an unsustainable environment. This study aims to understand current knowledge and identify the gaps in the research on LULCC, biodiversity, and mountain ecosystems. Notable