Exploring Socio-Environmental Vulnerability of Wetland Communities Under Climate Change: Insights from Three Wetland Types in Tropical Floodplain Ecosystems of Barak Valley, Assam, Northeast India

Wetlands are among the most productive ecosystems, offering critical ecosystem services that directly support human livelihoods. Despite their ecological and socio-economic importance, wetlands are increasingly vulnerable to stressors such as climate change, which aggravates the frequency of floods and droughts, thereby disrupting ecosystem structure and function. Understanding the impacts of these stressors on riparian communities is essential for developing effective adaptation strategies and policy interventions to enhance resilience and sustainability.

This study assesses the socio-environmental vulnerabilities of communities living near three wetland types viz., oxbow lakes, floodplain wetlands, and perennial lakes in the tropical floodplains of Barak Valley. It explores the interconnections between environmental stressors and socio-economic factors, providing detailed insights into how climate-induced challenges affect the livelihoods and ecological dependencies of these communities. The findings offer valuable insights to the broader discourse on wetland management and climate change adaptation in vulnerable floodplain ecosystems.