Dynamic models of water conservation in sustainable palm oil plantations

Abstract

The development of Oil Palm Plantations (OPP) in Indonesia faces problems related to land availability and environmental damage. Changes in the hydrological conditions of The Lalindu Watershed in Konawe Utara Regency are caused by the reduction in the extent of forest cover in the river border areas as OPP increase. The purpose of this study is to design a model of OPP to support the conservation of water resources to maximize the ecological, economic and social benefits of land use activities, especially for OPP in watersheds in a sustainable manner. The research method uses a dynamic system model using a number of variables, which are the determinants of OPP sustainability, loop systems, and future behavior models. The results showed that the water conservation model in sustainable OPP consisted of three sub-models, namely: (1) environmental sub-models. The actions of OPP conservation affect the resulting infiltration capacity and runoff discharge so that the OPP will be sustainable. In addition, it can increase the population growth of Anoa (Bubalussp) and Sulawesi Bear Kuskus (Ailuropsursinus) by 10% as an effort to protect biodiversity, especially Southeast Sulawesi’s endemic fauna, (2) sub-economic models. Oil Palm Plantation activities with conservation efforts were able to increase production by an average of 0.86% while OPP without conservation only increased by 0.78%. Corporate income also increases on average 0.8-1.2% per year, farmers 0.76% and RBR 1.24% and (3) social sub-models, will increase the number of workers involved in OPP operations by 0 7 % per year while the number of head of a family for the livestock and compost business declined from 2005-2018 with an average percentage of 5.1% and 4.1% and the following year was stagnant. In the activities of rattan cultivation, there was no increase in percentage.