Land system science and the social–environmental system: the case of Southern Yucatán Peninsular Region (SYPR) project

•The complexity of land system science requires integrated, team-based research.•The SYPR project examined a forest frontier with a biosphere reserve in southern Mexico.•The drivers and consequences of land change are identified.•Advances in remote sensing and spatially explicit modeling of land change are made.•The design and management of the project contributed to its success.