Land capability and carrying capacity analysis against land use change in the Motaain Border Region (Indonesia-Timor Leste)

Abstract

Changes in land use in the border regions of the Motaain state (Indonesia-Timor Leste) are caused by population growth and a variety of activities of the population. Thus, changes in land use that are not controlled affect the ability and carrying capacity of the land. Moreover, the research objective is to assess the characteristics of the region from the physical aspects of the environment to spatial changes, as a reference for controlling spatial use. The analytical methods are used population density and activity density (Kernel density); analysis of activity patterns (cluster and outlier analysis and spatial auto-correlation Moran’s I); class analysis of land capability and carrying capacity (overlay); and quantitative statistical quantitative analysis. The results of the analysis explain that from the year 2013 until 2017 the border area of the Motaain state experienced population growth and activities, these affected spatial patterns that change in land use from non-developed land to build-up land. It is also explained that overlay analysis results are more dominant land capability classes are very low as well as the carrying capacity to land that is predominantly a potential and protected development area. The difference in capability and carrying capacity to land is a product of social activities that cannot be controlled.