Evaluating the Land Use and Land Cover change of unprotected wetland situated in the Khultabad Tehsil of Aurangabad District, Maharashtra

Abstract

The study investigated the effects of Land Use and Land Cover (LULC) change dynamics on the state and status of an unprotected wetland in semi-arid regions of India. The effects of the LULC shift on the wetland during a 15-year period were mapped and quantified using the long-term satellite image data collection. Using the supervised analysis approach, a multi-source satellite image analysis was carried out. The complete research area's Landsat data series were utilised to evaluate, map, and track LULC change over time. Wetland detection maps created for the 2007–2013–2016–2022 temporal periods were examined. According to the findings, the amount of agricultural land remained essentially constant during the comparative period, ranging from 29.71% to 31.43%. The percentage of waste land progressively grew from 14.29% to 22.86% between 2007 and 2016. By 2022, the plantation area will have shrunk from 15.43% in 2007 to 5%. Similarly, it is anticipated that the habitat would grow from 8.07% in 2007 to 12.93% in 2022. Farmland and fallow area figures are different because both land uses were determined using different season satellite pictures. But there is no obvious increase or decrease in the total agricultural area. These results may be used to create specialised wetland management plans and perhaps even a framework for restoring wetlands that are not currently under protection