A novel GIS-based multicriteria analysis approach for ascertaining the catchment-scale degradation of a Himalayan wetland

Irfan Rashid; Sheikh Aneaus; Shahid Ahmad Dar; Ovaid Javed; Shabir Ahmad Khanday; Sami Ullah Bhat

doi:10.1016/j.envres.2023.115967

A novel GIS-based multicriteria analysis approach for ascertaining the catchment-scale degradation of a Himalayan wetland

Environ Res. 2023 Jul 15:229:115967. doi: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.115967. Epub 2023 Apr 21.

Authors

Irfan Rashid¹, Sheikh Aneaus², Shahid Ahmad Dar³, Ovaid Javed², Shabir Ahmad Khanday³, Sami Ullah Bhat³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Geoinformatics, University of Kashmir, Hazratbal Srinagar, 190006, Jammu and Kashmir, India. Electronic address: irfangis@kashmiruniversity.ac.in.
² Department of Geoinformatics, University of Kashmir, Hazratbal Srinagar, 190006, Jammu and Kashmir, India.
³ Department of Environmental Science, University of Kashmir, Hazratbal Srinagar, 190006, Jammu and Kashmir, India.

PMID: 37086883
DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.115967

Abstract

Wetland degradation through a diverse spectrum of anthropogenic stressors worldwide has taken a heavy toll on the health of wetlands. This study examined the health of a semi-urban wetland Bodsar, located in the Kashmir Himalaya using multicriteria analysis approach assimilating data on land use land cover (LULC), landscape fragmentation, soil loss, and demography. Wetland and catchment-scale land system changes from 1980 to 2022 were assessed using high-resolution imagery. Fragmentation of the natural landscape was assessed using the Landscape Fragmentation Tool (LFT) and soil loss was assessed using the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE). In addition, the water quality was examined at 12 sites distributed across the wetland using standard methods. Satellite data revealed 12 categories of land use with areas under exposed rock, orchards, built-up and sparse forest having increased by 1005%, 623%, 274%, and 37% respectively. LFT indicated that the core (>500 acres) and core (<250 acres) zones decreased by approximately 16% and 64%, respectively, whereas the areas under the perforated, edge and patch classes increased significantly. RUSLE estimates show a ∼77% increase in soil erosion from 116.26 Mg a^-1 in 1980 to 205.68 Mg a^-1 in 2022, mostly due to changes in LULC. Total phosphorus (0.195-2.04 mg L ^-1), nitrate nitrogen (0.306-2.79 mg L ^-1), and total dissolved solids (543-774 mg L^-1) indicated nutrient enrichment of the wetland influenced by anthropogenically-driven land system changes. The wetland degradation index revealed that 21% of the wetland experienced high-to-severe degradation, 62% experienced moderate degradation, and 17% did not face any significant degradation pressure. The novel GIS-based approach adopted in this study can act as a prototype for ascertaining the catchment-scale degradation of wetlands worldwide.

Keywords: Fragmentation; Geospatial analysis; Kashmir Himalaya; Land system changes; Remote sensing; Soil erosion; Water quality analysis; Wetland health.

MeSH terms

Conservation of Natural Resources
Environmental Monitoring / methods
Forests
Geographic Information Systems*
Soil
Wetlands*

Substances

Soil