Integrated geo-hydro-biological assessment of Barda Hills: Vegetation dynamics, land surface temperature trends, and conservation strategies (1995–2025)

Anthropogenic stresses and climate change are posing a growing threat to the Barda Hills, an ecologically delicate wildlife sanctuary in Gujarat, India. This study examines the interconnected dynamics of land use change, land surface temperature (LST), spectral indices, topography, and lithology to provide an integrated geo-hydro-biological assessment from 1995 to 2025. Topographic modeling, geochemical analysis, and multi-temporal remote sensing data were all combined in a multidisciplinary approach. According to the findings, there has been a sharp 64.7% decrease in dense vegetation cover, a 62.1% increase in bare land, and a notable increase in the maximum LST from 40.7°C to 50.5°C. Significant correlations between LST and spectral indices were found, indicating that built-up areas intensify the urban heat island effect, as shown by the Normalized Difference Built-up Index (NDBI) with LST (r = +0.75), and that vegetation and moisture serve as natural coolants, as indicated by the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) with LST (r = –0.53). It was discovered that lithology and topography were important modulating factors, with north-facing slopes acting as essential microclimatic refugia. Anthropogenic and natural factors are combined in this analysis. In addition to mining and urbanization pressures, it takes topography and lithology into account. Targeted strategies to strike a balance between development and conservation can be proposed thanks to this integrated approach. The results highlight the critical need for water resource management, rigorous mining regulations, and slope-specific afforestation in order to improve the ecological resilience of the Barda Hills. The methodology described provides a reproducible model for evaluating and protecting semi-arid ecosystems around the world.