Dynamics of Floodplain Vegetation Under Diverse Inundation Regimes: A Multi-Temporal Geospatial Analysis of the Torsha-Raidak Interfluve, India
摘要
Floodplain landscapes of Torsha-Raidak interfluve (TRI) of eastern India sustain diverse vegetation communities, typical of the sub-Himalayan Terai region. However, periodic flood pulses, intensified by profound anthropogenic interventions, have triggered alterations in the existing spatial mosaic of the interfluve, thereby impacting its prevalent vegetation dynamics. This has caused substantial modifications to the ecological resilience of the floodplain, since these vegetation patches often act as effective bio-shields against the disruptive forces of flood-induced disturbances. The present study delves into the assessment of spatio-temporal shift in the dynamics of TRI vegetation in response to major flood occurrences from 2015 to 2024. It also aims to unearth how the different inundation regimes are shaping the vegetation transformation trajectory of the floodplain over the past decade. For this, Sentinel-1 C-SAR imageries have been deployed for flood mapping coupled with vegetation characterization of the region. Further, Radar Vegetation Index (RVI) has been computed to analyze the pre- and post-flood responses of inundated as well as non-inundated patches. The results unveil significant degradation of vegetated patches with each flood event (p < 0.001); especially for the ones which remain submerged (p < 0.01). Nevertheless, it becomes apparent that higher inundation coverage not always corresponds with maximum vegetation modulations; instead already stressed biomass reinforced by prolonged waterlogging have severe impacts on RVI values. Accordingly, the study emphasized the necessity of implementing a zone-wise as well as site-specific customized vegetation management strategy for developing an effective ecological mitigation measure of flood-induced vulnerabilities.