Effect of Urbanization on the Dynamics of Ecosystem Services: An Analysis for Decision Making in Kolkata Urban Agglomeration

Abstract The structural strength and functional diversity of ecosystems were maintained by natural process, where the living organisms interact with their physical environment and exchange materials between them. Land use and land cover change exert significant impact on ecosystem services and their values, especially in the urban agglomerations. Kolkata urban agglomeration of India has been selected to determine the causes in changes of ecosystem services under present and projected land use land cover scenario. Land use land cover maps of 1990, 2000, 2010 and 2020 were prepared by support vector machine method, using LANDSAT satellite imageries and projected maps were produced with the help of CA-Markov model. Built-up land was increased by 65.39% during 1990–2020 and it will be increased by 76.88% during the period 1990–2040. Built-up lands are mainly encroaching crop lands and wetlands. The ecosystem service value will be decreased from $38486.49 during 1990 to $28060.79 during 2040. The rate of change of ecosystem service value was -27.09% during the same period. In Kolkata urban agglomeration, area under very low ecosystem service value will be increased from 16.60 to 58.88% during 1990-2040; whereas, the area coverage of very high ecosystem service value will be decreased from 2.69 to 2.35% during the same period. Water supply contributed highest ecosystem service value followed by disturbance regulation and nutrient cycling; whereas, lacking in soil formation, pollination and biological control services contributed lowest. The study will contribute for decision making process in sustainable management of natural resources and also provide some useful guidelines for the improvement of ecological quality in the study landscape.