Change in Structural Components Due to Seasonal Flooding Governs Provisioning Ecosystem Service Delivery and Livelihood Diversification: A Case Study from a Tropical Floodplain Wetland in Barak Valley Region of India

Annual flood events lead to periodic changes in structural components within seasonal floodplain wetlands. Such change may determine the type and quantity of provisioning ecosystem services (ES) that offer resident communities opportunities for diverse livelihood activities. We elucidate this hypothesis using case study a wetland—Chatla—located Assam, northeast India, by integrating spatially explicit data wetland with social-ecological information following standard methods. The Chatla during dry wet seasons were mapped LANDSAT 8 satellite data. ES was quantified corresponding economic value estimated through household- market surveys. About 51% remained inundated season, which served as capture fishery source riparian communities. Only 6% area retained water supporting culture fishery, while substantial brought under paddy cultivation. Both cultivation major income households. In addition, various non-timber forest products (NTFPs) harvested from used subsistence both seasons. total annual harvesting paddy, fish, NTFPs, soil extraction USD 387,487. Our confirms driven flooding ensures delivery facilitates sustainability. suggest national international policies focus on conservation wise use such wetlands ensure sustainable future wetland-dependent population tropics.