Conceptual models are essential for understanding complex environmental issues and the management practices that drive either the degradation or recovery of landscapes. These models are crucial when measuring environmental governance. This research aims to analyze the characteristics of such models and propose a more comprehensive conceptual framework. The methodology includes a targeted review of sources, a comparative analysis of model content, and synthesis. The qualitative content analysis of these models is based on their fundamental characteristics, such as the main components, key relationships, primary focus, and key insights. Additionally, a quantitative analysis of the models was conducted by examining word frequency to assess their general emphasis. The study presents a proposed conceptual model with nine dimensions: driving forces, activities, pressures, structure, function, ecosystem services and disservices, advantages and disadvantages, value and human well-being, and responses (strategies and actions). This cyclic model supports the timely diagnosis of issues, their location, mapping of actors and stakeholders, providing feedback to policymakers, proposing appropriate management responses, and ensuring accountability. Without such integrated frameworks, management research lacking a thorough understanding of the cumulative consequences of multiple uncoordinated actions will be limited to a narrow scope and fail to improve environmental conditions. Recognizing how human activities impact the flow of ecosystem services can facilitate the adjustment, reduction, or reversal of negative trends and help establish appropriate metrics for measuring governance.