Wetland functional assessment and uncertainty analysis using fuzzy α-cut-based modified hydrogeomorphic approach

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Ecosystem Management
• Hydrology

Background:

• Wetlands provide crucial ecosystem services like groundwater recharge, flood control, carbon sequestration, and pollution reduction.
• Accurate wetland functional assessment is hindered by uncertainties in variables such as vegetation, soil, hydrology, land use, and landscape.
• Sources of uncertainty include measurement costs, human error, and data variability.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose an innovative framework for wetland functional assessment that incorporates uncertainty quantification.
• To apply a modified hydrogeomorphic approach (HGMA) integrated with the fuzzy alpha-cut technique.
• To identify key uncertain variables and functions within wetland ecosystems.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a modified hydrogeomorphic approach (HGMA) for wetland functional assessment.
• Employed the fuzzy alpha-cut technique to characterize and quantify uncertainty in input variables and wetland functions.
• Analyzed landscape assessment areas to determine the density of wetlands and basin count.

Main Results:

• Identified wetland density (4.38%) and basin count (3.614%) as the most uncertain variables in landscape assessment.
• Determined the highest uncertainty in functional capacity index (FCI) for water storage (1.697%) and retaining particulates (1.577%).
• Quantified uncertainty levels associated with various wetland assessment parameters.

Conclusions:

• The developed framework effectively quantifies uncertainty in wetland functional assessments.
• Quantified uncertainty provides valuable insights for informed decision-making in wetland preservation and restoration.
• This approach aids practitioners in developing targeted best management practices for wetland ecosystems.