Infiltration rate in variuos landcover type in Bakka Sub-Watershed

Abstract

Infiltration rate is strongly influenced by undergrstorey density. There are three land covers, primary forests and garden which have a category of dense, medium, rare and very rare, meanwhile shrubs only have a category of dense cover crop. The difference in the density of understorey gives a different effect on the entering water to the soil (infiltration). This study aims to determine the magnitude of the infiltration rate at various land covers in Bakka Sub-watershed. Measurement of infiltration rate is carried out at one point in each observation plot per land cover made using purposive sampling. In each plot 4 subplots were made based on densities of dense, medium, rare and very rare plants based on Paine (1981) methods. Infiltration rate in the field is measured using a double ring infiltrometer, another variable measured is the physical properties of the soil include soil texture, permeability, porosity, bulk density, and organic matter. Based on the research results it is known that the infiltration rate at various land covers in Bakka Sub-watershed is 3,154 mm/hour for primary forest, 612 mm/hour for gardens and 224 mm/hour for shrubs. The infiltration rate in primary forests and gardens is categorized very fast while shrubs are categorized fast. This is influenced by the physical properties of the soil, especially the bulk density and the understorey.