Diversity, Limnology, and Socioeconomic Significance of Wetlands of Assam, India: A Comprehensive Review

The present review examines the biodiversity, ecological functions, and limnological attributes of wetlands in Assam, India, emphasizing aquatic biodiversity and its socioeconomic significance for local communities. The study employs a quasisystematic literature review methodology, supported by comprehensive database searches, stringent inclusion criteria, thematic analysis, and empirical data from diverse wetland locations, to consolidate information on macrophytes, macroinvertebrates, and fish species, alongside the environmental changes and threats they encounter. There are 3513 wetlands in Assam that cover 101,234 ha. These wetlands make up about 4% of the floodplain area and 1.3% of the state’s total land area. There are 690 lakes and ponds, 861 oxbow lakes, 1125 waterlogged areas, and 712 swamps and marshes in these wetlands that are home to a wide range of aquatic life. Wetlands are important for ecosystem services like cleaning water, controlling floods, and providing homes for migratory birds. They also support local economies through fishing, farming, and tourism. However, more and more human activities, like pollution, encroachment, unregulated resource use, and climate change, have caused habitats to degrade and biodiversity to decline. The research underscores that ongoing wetland degradation jeopardizes both ecological integrity and the socioeconomic welfare of reliant communities. The study examines current conservation initiatives and underscores the necessity for integrated management strategies, community engagement, and enhanced policy interventions. To protect these important freshwater ecosystems, it is important to use sustainable methods that balance conservation with the needs of the area. The objectives of this review are to give a comprehensive overview of Assam’s wetland biodiversity and stress the need for proactive, science‐based conservation methods to make sure that ecosystems and economies are strong in the long term.