Climate Change Impacts on Wetland Ecosystems and Migratory Water bird Populations in Rajasthan, India: A 25-Year Analysis

Sudhir Kumawat

Abstract: Climate change threatens the survival of wetland ecosystems in semi-arid areas, which has a ripple effect on biodiversity, ecosystem services, and the fauna that depends on them. This research investigates the effects of climate change on six significant wetlands in Rajasthan, India, over a 25-year timeframe (2000-2025), evaluating temperature trends, precipitation patterns, water bird population dynamics, plant responses, and wetland resilience. The results show that the mean temperature rose by a lot (1.5-1.9°C) and the summer peak temperature rose by a lot (2.7-3.4°C) at all locations. This caused the evaporation rate to rise by 24-38% and the water level to fall by an average of 38%. Annual precipitation dropped considerably by 10.6% (p < 0.01), with monsoon precipitation dropping 12.4% and rainfall variability rising 38.2%. These variations in water levels caused a lot of migrating waterbirds to die off (16.5-27.0%), delayed their journey by 9-14 days, and made it harder for them to reproduce (23-41% less successful). Wetland vegetation communities underwent significant rearrangement, characterised by a 48% reduction in submerged vegetation, a 32% decrease in emergent macrophytes, and an increase of up to 52% in invasive species. The climate resilience study showed that various ecosystems were more or less vulnerable. For example, well managed protected wetlands like Keoladeo National Park and Jaisamand Lake were more adaptable than urban or specialised habitats like Mansagar Lake and Sambhar Lake. The results show that we need to act quickly to come up with comprehensive climate adaptation plans. These should include better water management, restoring habitats, and working together across borders to protect wetlands and migratory bird populations as climate change speeds up.

Keywords: climate change, wetland ecosystems, temperature rise, precipitation Rajasthan

How to Cite?: Sudhir Kumawat, "Climate Change Impacts on Wetland Ecosystems and Migratory Water bird Populations in Rajasthan, India: A 25-Year Analysis", Volume 15 Issue 2, February 2026, International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), Pages: 191-197, https://www.ijsr.net/getabstract.php?paperid=SR26203102923, DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.21275/SR26203102923