Abstract
This study attempts to measure wetland degradation in the upper part of the Ganga Delta between 1991 and 2021, using multi-criteria based anthropogenic stress assessment. The degree of anthropogenic stress is assessed using the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) and optimized AHP scheme using the Partial Least Square regression (PLS) based Variable Importance Projection methods (VIP). This multi criteria decision making (MCDM) has stressed the closeness to the urban areas, transport arteries, occupancy of the settlements and cultivated areas, and demographic changes. Results showed a concerning level of wetland area loss (2.009 sq. km/year) along with an increasing number of wetlands by 26.91%. Estimated Perimeter Area Ratio (PARA), Largest Patch Index (LPI) and Edge Density (ED) have showcased a significant change in their shape and size. An absolute figure of 28.11% and 30.14% of wetland area has been lost within the highest anthropogenic stress zone computed using AHP-VIP and AHP respectively.
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