Spatio-temporal modelling for the evaluation of an altered Indian saline Ramsar site and its drivers for ecosystem management and restoration

摘要: Saline wetlands are keystone ecosystems in arid and semi-arid landscapes that currently under severe threat. This study conducted spatio-temporal modelling of the largest saline Ramsar site India, Sambhar wetland from 1963-2059. One CORONA aerial photograph 1963 Landsat images 1972, 1981, 1992, 2009, 2019 were acquired classified 8 classes as Aravalli, barren land, soil, salt crust, saltpans, waterbody, settlement, vegetation for spatial integrated with bird census, soil-water parameters, GPS locations, photographs. Past decadal area statistics state reduction waterbody 30.7 to 3.4% at constant rate (4.23%) soil. soil increased 12.4 21.7% converted land 45.4 49.6%; saltpans 7.4 14% settlement 0.1 1.3% till 2019. Future predictions hint a net increase 20% by wetland, 30%, 40%, saltpan 10%, 5%, loss 20%, each Aravalli crust. The biggest 120% was seen land. Notably, 40% current will be lost 2059. Additionally, parameters result character ecosystem; subsequently indicate shift migratory birds disturbing food web. India has been losing critical habitat birds, halophytes, halophiles, along livelihood. looks bridge missing link local global ecological disconnect, providing thereby lake management restoration strategies.