Long-term mapping and landscape dynamics of major riverine wetlands in the Yellow River Basin from 1986 to 2022

Wetlands in the Yellow River Basin face the composite pressures of climate change and human disturbances. However, analyzes of the major riverine wetlands remain far less than those of the headwater and estuarine regions in the Yellow River Basin. Based on the Google Earth Engine platform, we combined a sample migration strategy and Random Forest classification to produce an annual 30 m riverine wetland dataset (1986–2022) for the Yellow River Basin (excluding the headwater and estuarine regions). We then analyzed the spatiotemporal change and driving factors of water bodies, mudflats, and marshes. Results show that long-term wetland maps exhibit high reliability, with overall accuracy above 90%, and an average Kappa coefficient exceeding 0.88. The expansion of water bodies and mudflats failed to offset marsh degradation, leading to a net riverine wetland loss of 1326.30 km ² , with the total wetland area in 2022 decreasing to 95% of its 1986 level. Increasing temperature and runoff at the Lanzhou station are associated with marsh core loss and fragmentation, accompanied by partial conversion to water bodies and mudflats, thereby threatening wetland biodiversity and carbon sequestration capacity. Water body expansion and increased connectivity are primarily associated with runoff at the Lanzhou station, average temperature, and precipitation. Landscape change of mudflats in the midstream and downstream is associated with average temperature, sediment discharge at the Huayuankou station, runoff at the Toudaoguai station, and regional human activities. This study provides critical data support and spatiotemporal evidence for riverine wetland conservation and restoration in the Yellow River Basin.