Impact of land use change on hydrological conditions in the Karajae watershed, South Sulawesi Province

Abstract

Land use is a representation of activities and utilization of land resources by the community. Land use has a big influence on the hydrological condition of a watershed. One of the small watersheds, in general, is the Karajae watershed, but it has a very large impact on the City of Pare-Pare, and the surrounding community. The Karajae watershed is the main water source for the people of Pare-Pare and agriculture. This study aims to analyze land use patterns that have a major impact on hydrological conditions in the Karajae watershed. The analysis begins with remote sensing methods to interpret land use using Landsat 7 image data in 2010 and Landsat 8 imagery in 2020. Next, analyze the pattern of land use change in detail in each forest area with a geographic information system approach. Analysis of hydrological conditions using the Soil and Water Assessment Tools approach with the input of the land use data. Land use Change 2010-2020 in the Karajae watershed shows additional land use in the form of settlements, rice fields, and dryland agriculture as a form of community activity. There are two forest areas in the Karajae watershed, namely production forest and protected forest. Production forest is dominated by dryland agriculture in the form of corn, beans, and horticulture, while the protected forest is dominated by and secondary dryland forest. This has an impact on hydrological conditions that there are fluctuations in discharge and an increase in sediment a decade ago. Optimal application of forest functions reduces discharge and sediment. Different forest planning for each forest function and land use within. Production forest with many activities directed towards community-based forest management such as community forest and village forest. As for the Protected Forest, which is dominated by grassland and shrubs, forest rehabilitation is carried out.