System wide channel network analysis reveals hotspots of morphological change in anthropogenically modified regions of the Ganges Delta

The Ganges Brahmaputra Meghna Delta (GBMD) is a large and complex coastal system whose channel network is vulnerable to morphological changes caused by sea level rise, subsidence, anthropogenic modifications, and changes to water and sediment loads. Locating and characterizing change is particularly challenging because of the wide range of forcings acting on the GBMD and because of the large range of scales over which these forcings act. In this study, we examine the spatial variability of change in the GBMD channel network. We quantify the relative magnitudes and directions of change across multiple scales and relate the spatial distribution of change to the spatial distribution of a variety of known system forcings. We quantify how the channelization varies by computing the Channelized Response Variance (CRV) on 30 years of remotely sensed imagery of the entire delta extent. The CRV analysis reveals hotspots of morphological change across the delta. We find that the magnitude of these hotspots are related to the spatial distribution of the dominant physiographic forcings in the system (tidal and fluvial influence levels, channel connectivity, and anthropogenic interference levels). We find that the anthropogenically modified embanked regions have much higher levels of geomorphic change than the adjacent natural Sundarban forest and that this change is primarily due to channel infilling and increased rates of channel migration. Having a better understanding of how anthropogenic changes affect delta channel networks over human timescales will help to inform policy decisions affecting the human and ecological presences on deltas around the world.