Monitoring decadal ecological degradation in Kolkata metropolitan area using comprehensive ecological evaluation index: A vision towards sustainable urban planning.

This study investigated spatial temporal variations in the ecological condition of the Kolkata Metropolitan Area (KMA) from 1990 to 2020 using the Comprehensive Ecological Evaluation Index (CEEI). The analysis focused on parameters such as vegetation cover (VC), land surface moisture (LSM), normalised difference built-up and bare soil index (NDBSI), and land surface temperature (LST). The study evaluates the spatio-temporal changes in the ecological condition of KMA (location) from 1990 to 2020 using the Comprehensive Ecological and Environmental Index (CEEI). The methodology involves analysing correlations among CEEI parameters, generating CEEI maps, assessing ecological change from 1990 to 2020, applying spatial autocorrelation for pattern analysis, and predicting the ecological condition for 2030 using linear regression. The findings revealed a decreasing trend in vegetation cover over the studied period, indicating a potential decline in the extent of greenery in the KMA. In 1990, around 3% of the KMA area experienced poor ecological conditions. By 2020, this figure had risen to approximately 13%, and projections indicate that by 2030, around 30% of the area will be characterized by poor ecological conditions. The correlation matrix analysis highlighted varying relationships between the parameters, with significant changes observed in their associations. The CEEI maps demonstrated a notable deterioration in the ecological condition of the KMA over time, characterised by reductions in the excellent and good categories and expansions in the moderate, fair, and poor categories. The analysis of spatial autocorrelation indicated a strengthening of spatial clustering or dispersion of the CEEI values, emphasizing the need for effective management practices. The study concludes that urgent measures should be implemented to address the underlying factors contributing to the ecological degradation and promote restoration efforts for a sustainable future of the KMA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]