A comprehensive analysis of Urban Ecosystem Services and their Valuation – a Case Study on Barasat City, India

Abstract

Abstract The urban environment blends natural and artificial components, influenced by factors like culture, behavior, politics, economics, and social structures. Ecosystem services, beneficial to humans, are valued based on the cost of replication. Given urban expansion, studying urban ecosystems is increasingly crucial. This research assesses ecosystem service value (ESV) changes at a regional level from 1989 to 2020 in Barasat, West Bengal, within Kolkata’s urban area. The ESV variations are examined with the value coefficients and land use data. Barasat, an ancient town, is chosen as a case study. Land cover changes are analyzed using 1989, 2001, 2014, and 2020 imagery classified into six categories: built-up areas, water bodies, vegetation, bare soil, homesteads with plantations, and agricultural land. Nine ecosystem services are identified, with calculations made for each ecosystem’s surface area and total service value in 1989 and 2020. Barasat’s urban growth trend has transformed ecosystems into urban areas, reducing service values over time. This study underscores the importance of locally generated urban ecosystem services for city life and calls for attention in urban and environmental management practices.