Wetland Health in Transition: Resilience and Ecosystem Services Amid Urbanization and Land-Use Change

The accelerated pace of urbanization, population growth, and extensive land-use changes has significantly disrupted the ecological balance and functionality of riverine wetland ecosystems, leading to substantial degradation of wetland health. This study evaluates the health and resilience of the Upper Ganga Riverine Wetland (UGRW) in India, which has experienced significant land-use transformations over the past two decades. The analysis highlights the wetland's resilience to various natural and anthropogenic stresses and its ability to sustain critical ecosystem services, including provisioning, regulating, cultural, and supporting services. The findings reveal drastic land-use and land-cover (LULC) changes, with built-up areas increasing by 245%, while forest and wetland areas decreased by 41% and 8%, respectively, between 2000 and 2020. These transformations have led to a marked decline in ecosystem resilience (23%) and a substantial reduction in ecosystem service values (ESVs), which decreased from 2138.28 million USD in 2000 to 1769.16 million USD in 2020—an overall loss of 18%. Urban expansion, deforestation, and wetland fragmentation have further exacerbated the decline in wetland health, diminishing its ecological balance and capacity to deliver vital services. This study underscores the urgent need for integrated environmental management strategies to mitigate the impact of LULC changes, conserve wetland ecosystems, and enhance their resilience. By assessing ecosystem services and their dependence on sustainable land use, this research provides critical insights for policymakers and stakeholders. It emphasizes the necessity of balancing developmental priorities with ecological preservation, offering a strategic framework to foster sustainability and resilience in one of India’s most vital riverine landscapes.