The wetlands in the Tarim River basin in western China have shrunk over the years due to increased agriculture, impacting water quality and biodiversity. Using satellite technology, researchers studied the changes in wetland size and distribution from 1980 to 2000. They found that the total wetland area decreased by almost half, with more patches forming and becoming denser. While some wetland types increased in size, others decreased. Overall, the diversity and fragmentation of the wetlands increased, indicating significant changes in the landscape over the two decades.