Challenges in Reconciling Satellite-Based and Locally Reported Estimates of Wetland Change: A Case of Topographically Constrained Wetlands on the Eastern Tibetan Plateau

The coupling of rapid warming and wetland degradation on the Tibetan Plateau has motivated studies climate influence change in region. These typically examine large, topographically homogeneous regions, whereas conservation efforts sometimes require fine-grained information rugged terrain. This study addresses constrained wetlands Eastern Tibetan, where herders report significant degradation. We used Landsat images to changes areas Sentinel-1 SAR investigate water level vegetation structure. also analyzed trends precipitation, growing season length, reference evapotranspiration weather station records. Snow cover were quantified using MODIS observations. estimates actual Atmosphere-Land Exchange Inverse model (ALEXI) Simplified Surface Energy Balance (SSEBop). Satellite-informed analyses failed confirm herders’ accounts reduced function, as no coherent found area, content, or An analysis meteorological records did indicate a warming-induced increase evapotranspiration, both satellites suggest that had lengthened, potentially increasing demand driving change. discrepancies between satellite data local observations pointed temporal, spatial, epistemological gaps combining scientific with empirical evidence understanding Plateau.