Decadal Spatio Temporal Change Studies and Its Impact Using Geospatial Technologies in a Freshwater Wetland of Kolleru Lake / A. Vamshi Krishna Reddy and M. Anji Reddy

Loss and degradation of terrestrial and aquatic habitats and degraded water quality are major environmental concerns worldwide. Especially wetlands are sensitive ecosystems that are subject to stress from human activities. Remote sensing techniques have been primarily used to generate information on land cover/use changes. Geographical information system (GIS) and remote sensing can be used to provide a rapid or a large-scale understanding of lake change and in developing lake management strategies. The principal objectives of this study are to monitor and assess the spatial and temporal changes in land cover/use by using GIS, and to determine the main environmental factors affecting these changes. This paper presents a case study for the application of integrated remote sensing and GIS data for the classification and monitoring of the spatial and temporal changes in land use types. The study was conducted in a natural wetland of Lake Kolleru, located in west Godawari district, Andhra Pradesh. It is a most valuable place in the world with their natural beauty and important historical heritage. Data analysis was conducted using GIS software. During the past several Decades Lake Kolleru wetland has been influenced by many anthropogenic activities. The variables chosen for the assessment included condition of wetland and lake areas, present extent of wetlands relative to historic area, cover of natural habitat, wetland disturbances, etc. These variables address catchments properties that are important for maintaining and improving wetland habitats and water quality and assessment of trends useful for environmental monitoring. Land cover/land use patterns were assessed and compared using Remote sensing images taken in 1977, 1990, 2000, and 2007. Over this period, Aquaculture ponds are enormously increased by 217.2% and Agriculture was decreased by 290.2% respectively. The significance of the changes in land cover distribution within the lake Kolleru wetland are discussed in relation to the historical pattern aqua culture ponds and agriculture, the importance of pragmatics austral is in the process and the implications for strategic management of freshwater wetland resources.