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<p>Understanding how land use and land cover (LULC) changes influence land surface temperature (LST) is essential for evaluating ecological vulnerability, particularly in riparian regions that support rural communities. This study investigates LULC dynamics and their impacts on vegetation and surface conditions along the Nagri River in Malda district, West Bengal, India, from 2001 to 2022. Landsat imagery was analyzed using a random forest classifier within Google Earth Engine, and key biophysical indices (NDVI, NDWI, SAVI, and BSI) were derived alongside LST measurements. The results reveal extensive conversion of vegetation and water bodies into agriculture and settlements, with bare land increasing by 10.4% over the study period. NDVI values declined from 0.66 to 0.44, while NDWI decreased from 0.45 to 0.11, reflecting vegetation depletion and declining soil moisture. Statistical analysis showed strong negative correlations between LST and vegetation and water indices, and a positive association with BSI, indicating that bare soil surfaces intensify thermal stress. Hotspot and Environmental Stress Zonation (ESZ) analyses further identified the riverbank as the most ecologically stressed area, with high-stress zones expanding significantly in recent years. Future projections using the MOLUSCE model suggest additional declines in vegetation and water bodies by 2050, with a validation accuracy of 74%. Overall, the study underscores rising ecological stress in riparian systems and highlights the urgent need for sustainable land use management strategies applicable to riverbank ecosystems globally.</p>

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Linking biophysical indices with land surface temperature to assess ecological stress in the Nagri River bank in the Malda District, West Bengal, India

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年4月20日

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  • Kabita Lepcha,
  • Tandra Roy

摘要

Understanding how land use and land cover (LULC) changes influence land surface temperature (LST) is essential for evaluating ecological vulnerability, particularly in riparian regions that support rural communities. This study investigates LULC dynamics and their impacts on vegetation and surface conditions along the Nagri River in Malda district, West Bengal, India, from 2001 to 2022. Landsat imagery was analyzed using a random forest classifier within Google Earth Engine, and key biophysical indices (NDVI, NDWI, SAVI, and BSI) were derived alongside LST measurements. The results reveal extensive conversion of vegetation and water bodies into agriculture and settlements, with bare land increasing by 10.4% over the study period. NDVI values declined from 0.66 to 0.44, while NDWI decreased from 0.45 to 0.11, reflecting vegetation depletion and declining soil moisture. Statistical analysis showed strong negative correlations between LST and vegetation and water indices, and a positive association with BSI, indicating that bare soil surfaces intensify thermal stress. Hotspot and Environmental Stress Zonation (ESZ) analyses further identified the riverbank as the most ecologically stressed area, with high-stress zones expanding significantly in recent years. Future projections using the MOLUSCE model suggest additional declines in vegetation and water bodies by 2050, with a validation accuracy of 74%. Overall, the study underscores rising ecological stress in riparian systems and highlights the urgent need for sustainable land use management strategies applicable to riverbank ecosystems globally.