Spatiotemporal Assessment of Wetland Ecosystem: Integrating Terrain and Population Dynamics for Sustainable Planning

Wetlands are crucial in environmental sustainability, supporting biodiversity, water purification, flood control, and climate regulation. However, these ecosystems are increasingly threatened by anthropogenic activities and urban expansion. This study explores using remote sensing and GIS tools to assess wetland changes over time for conservation planning. Landsat imagery from 1990, 2000, 2013, and 2024 was processed in ENVI 6.0 using supervised classification with Maximum Likelihood Classification (MLC). Accuracy assessment was conducted through confusion matrices, while thematic change detection identified areas of wetland loss. Ancillary datasets, the Digital Elevation Model (DEM) and WorldPop population density layers, were analyzed using ArcGIS Pro. The results revealed a consistent decline in wetland coverage, with a corresponding rise in population density and encroachment in low-lying areas. Wetland zones at lower elevations showed greater susceptibility to conversion, often replaced by built-up or agricultural land. The integration of ancillary data proved critical for understanding the spatial drivers behind wetland degradation. The findings contribute to the growing body of knowledge on sustainable land use and emphasize the relevance of spatial tools in conserving ecologically sensitive areas.