Nature-Based Riparian Strategies for Climate Resilience: Ecohydrological Insights on Biodiversity and Food Security in the Indus Basin

Riparian corridors serve as critical ecohydrological interfaces that support biodiversity conservation, regulate ecosystem services and sustain agricultural productivity, particularly in regions facing intensifying climate stress. This study examines the ecological and socio-economic functions of riparian zones along the Indus River Basin, one of South Asia's most climate-vulnerable and agriculturally dependent regions. The research explores how shifts in hydrological regimes driven by glacial melt, erratic rainfall and prolonged drought impact plant species diversity, ecological integrity and food system resilience. Using a mixed-methods approach that integrates empirical field surveys, secondary data analysis and participatory assessments, the study identifies key stressors affecting riparian ecosystems and evaluates nature-based strategies for adaptation. Results highlight that the restoration of native vegetation, reestablishment of natural hydrological processes and incorporation of indigenous knowledge significantly enhance the adaptive capacity of riparian landscapes. These interventions not only improve ecological functionality such as water retention, soil stability and pollination but also contribute to the long-term viability of agricultural systems and local livelihoods. The research in question highlights the inevitability of active community involvement and participatory governance in the development and implementation of effective conservation efforts. The researchers suggest an inseparable linkage between ecological restoration and social resilience and policy coherence, which makes this integrated framework very likely to bring success in climate change-related food and water security through biodiversity preservation. In particular, the analysis points out protecting and rehabilitating riparian zones as an ecological imperative as well as a strategic measure to promote sustainable development and climate resilience among transboundary river systems, like the Indus.