Impact of Land-use Changes on Water Balance

Abstract

Due to rapid population growth, Goseng catchment has been subjected to considerable land-use changes over the last decade. The main objective of this research is to find out the impact of land-use changes on the hydrological processes and river discharge using the simulation of land cover changes. GenRiver model is used to analyze and predict water balance change in Goseng catchment by proposing some scenario of land cover changes. GenRiver calibration was achieved by NSE analysis, comparing observed and simulation discharge data in the period of 1974 - 1994. Calibration and validation results showed that the satisfaction model using daily test has the coefficient correlation of 0.73. Furthermore, the land cover simulation of community forest in scenario 2 has the highest buffering indicator value and the lowest in paddy field. Thus, the land-use changes play an important role in the water balance changes in Goseng catchment, indicated by increasing surface run-off along with the decline of vegetation cover.