• Global patterns of land use intensity are poorly understood, particularly in the developing world. • The multidimensionality of land use intensity should be considered by jointly using input, output, and system metrics. • A range of cropland intensity metrics exist, but existing data are often uncertain. • Large data gaps remain for grazing and forestry intensity. • Research priorities should include first, better integration of satellite-based and ground based data, second, validating and better documentation of datasets, and third, creation of consistent time series.

• Trajectories in the global land system call for improvements in our understanding of land-use intensity. • A comprehensive conceptual framework and a system of measurement is lacking. • We propose an conceptual framework that integrates input intensity, output intensity and associated system-level impacts. • The framework provides a basis for data collection and explorations of trade-offs, synergies and feedback loops in the land system. • It supports explorations of challenges and opportunities of sustainable land-use intensification.