Upstream–Downstream Hydrologic Connectivity and Delta Implications
摘要
This chapter investigates how upland changes propagate to the downstream processes in the Brahmani-Baitarani delta by integrating trend analysis with SWAT-derived outputs of runoff, sediment, and nutrient fluxes. The results indicate that hydrologic alterations in the South Koel uplands, driven primarily by changes in forest and agricultural land extent, have significantly modified basin runoff, which in turn affects downstream flow regimes. Reduced runoff is associated with decreased sediment delivery and altered nutrient transport to the delta, suggesting potential implications for deltaic morphology and ecosystem functioning. Although the urban built-up area exerts a negligible influence due to its limited extent, the cumulative effects of upland LULC change highlight important basin-to-delta linkages. Placed within the broader context of global delta vulnerability, the South Koel–Brahmani–Baitarani system illustrates how upstream land-use decisions can influence downstream stability, underscoring the need for integrated basin–delta management strategies that maintain flow, sediment continuity, and environmental flows.