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Abstract:
Agriculture & socio-economic intensification can alter the provision of ecosystem services (ESs) by causing changes in land use/land cover (LULC). Therefore, the quantitative assessment of changes in LULC is crucial in understanding the related impact on the ecosystem services value (ESV). Such an analysis assists in making informed decisions and ensuring sustainable management. This study aimed to evaluate the variation in the value of ESs due to LULC changes from 2000 to 2020 in four neighbouring districts , i.e., Hapur, Amroha, Bulandshahr, and Sambhal, of the riverine wetland, using Google Earth Engine (GEE) and the benefit transfer approach (BTM). The findings of our study showed that the built-up areas in all four districts expanded continually, with Bulandshahar district reporting the highest expansion rate (38.47% per year) between 2000 and 2020. At the same time, the water areas in all four districts declined over the 2000-2020 period. As a result, the ESs previously offered by the water body have declined, and the areas that have transformed into built-up areas from other land use types can no longer provide any ESs. Consequently, the ESV has become zero, which is not conducive to maintaining a healthy ecosystem. The results of this analysis will provide crucial insight to assist planners and scientists in creating strategies for restoring or sustainably preserving ecosystems.
