Conservation Prioritization of Ecologically Susceptible Zones at Disaggregated Levels
Authors:   Energy and Wetlands Research Group, Environmental Information system [ENVIS RP], Centre for Ecological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India, Ramachandra T V , Setturu Bharath ,   Energy and Wetlands Research Group, Environmental Information system [ENVIS RP], Centre for Ecological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India, Naik Karthik R. ,   Energy and Wetlands Research Group, Environmental Information system [ENVIS RP], Centre for Ecological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India, Pai Jagadessha B ,   Department of Civil Engineering, Manipal Institute of Technology, Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Manipal, Karnataka, India
Published: April 2022

Ecologically susceptible zones (ESZs) are endowed with the distinct bio, geo, climatic, hydrological, and ecological integrity that sustain natural resources to support the livelihood of dependent populations. However, globalization and consequent anthropogenic activities have led to the erosion of the natural resource base and enhanced the levels of pollutants, triggering global environmental change, evident from changes in the climate. Alterations in the structure and the ecological integrity of ESZs may lead to permanent and irreparable loss of extant life forms or cause significant damage to the natural processes. This study analyses the spatiotemporal processes of ecosystems through insights into land-use dynamics and delineation of ESZs at a disaggregated level (5’ × 5’ grids or 9 km × 9 km). This is based on the grid-based NES (National environment survey) in Gadag district, Karnataka, India, for sustainable management of natural resources. The temporal land use (LU) analysis indicated a decline of 0.33% in the forest cover from 1989 to 2019, primarily due to mining, unauthorized conversion of natural forests to agriculture, commercial cultivation, etc. The built-up area was found to increase from 0.05% to 1.4% due to the expansion of linear corridors, infrastructure projects, and new layouts at the periphery of the town of Gadag. Spatial patterns of landscape dynamics through landscape metrics revealed an increase in the number of patches around Gadag, and Kappata Gudda of Shirahatti from 1989 to 2019, indicating fragmentation of forests with greater shape complexity. ESZ analysis at disaggregated levels (grids equivalent to one administrative unit—panchayat or local governance—with a cluster of villages for implementing biodiversity conservation measures as per the Biodiversity Act 2002, Government of India) indicated nine grids with higher ecological susceptibility (ESZ-1), 31 grids in ESZ-2 (high ecological susceptibility) with a potential to be ESZ-1, 13 grids were in ESZ-3 (moderate ecological susceptibility), and four grids in ESZ-4 (low ecological susceptibility). The implementation of the ESZ framework in decentralized governance would ensure sustainable development. The approach is tailored to take into account the agents of landscape dynamics and local ecosystem conditions to develop appropriate location-specific management strategies for fragile ecosystems. The systematic framework drafted in the current study would aid as a guiding tool for the sustainability of natural resources (water, medicine, food, etc.) by building a self-reliant and decentralized society and averting over-exploitation of natural resources.