Loss of Green and Blue Space and Its Impact on Ecosystem Services in an Indian Metropolitan Area (Siliguri): A Spatio-Temporal Analysis
Abstract
Urbanisation has become a significant driver of ecological transformation, resulting in the degradation of urban green and blue spaces (UGSs and UBSs) and a subsequent decrease in ecosystem services (ESs). It is imperative to evaluate the spatio-temporal dynamics of UGS and UBS in order to develop sustainable urban planning strategies, particularly in the swiftly expanding cities of the Global South. In the Siliguri Planning Area (SPA), India, this study examines the long-term variations in UGS and UBS and their associated ecosystem service values (ESVs) from 1991 to 2021. The Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and Modified Normalised Difference Water Index (MNDWI) were employed to delineate UGS and UBS using multi-temporal Landsat imagery, respectively). The benefit transfer method was employed to quantify ESV, and sensitivity analysis was conducted to assess the valuation’s reliability. Also, adjusted value coefficients were employed. The findings indicated that landscapes such as tea garden (58.74% reduce) and agricultural land (46.09 increase) have undergone a substantial transformation as a result of urbanisation, with the built-up areas increasing from 5798.61 ha in 1991 to 8500.23 ha in 2021 (46.59% increase). Simultaneously, UGS decreased (by 40.26%) from 12,533.04 ha (47.81% oftotal area)in 1991 to 7486.29 ha (28.55% oftotal area) in 2021, while UBS decreased (by 79.47%) from 255.69 ha (0.94% oftotal area) in 1991 to 52.48 ha (0.19% oftotal area) in 2021. Subsequently, the ESV of UGS and UBS fell significantly from 1183.05 crores (INR) to 706.67 crores (INR) and 34.72 crores (INR) to 7.12 crores (INR), respectively. This confirms the elasticity of the valuation estimates, as the sensitivity coefficients remained below one. The study contributes to understanding the crucial role of urban planners, private property owners, and builders in promoting green–blue infrastructure conservation, wetland restoration, and ecological zoning. Such ecosystem service-based planning is essential for achieving sustainable development in rapidly urbanising regions and enhancing urban ecological resilience.