Peat mapping on a scale of 1:50,000 in oil palm plantation land, at the peat hydrological unit in Musi Banyuasin Regency and the implications of its use

Abstract

Oil palm cultivation on peatlands, one of which must be guided by the Ministry of Environment and Forestry Regulation Number P.10/2019 concerning Determination and Management of Peat Dome Based on Peat Hydrological Units (KHG). This paper aims to study the results of peat mapping on a scale of 1:50,000 in several KHGs associated with regulations for managing the Peat Ecosystem. The results on a scale of 1: 50,000 in Musi Banyuasin Regency, South Sumatra show that in the Sembilang -Lalan River KHG of an area of 6,973 ha, only 414 ha or 5.94% is peat soil. In the Lalan-Bentayan River KHG covering an area of 4,976 ha, no peat soil was found. In the Bentayan -Penimpahan River KHG covering an area of 8,025 ha, only 245 ha (3.05%) is peat soil. The mapping results show that even though an area is declared a KHG, it does not necessarily contain peat soil. Based on this, it is necessary to revise the location of the KHG-KHG, especially in South Sumatra based on the results of peat mapping. Thus, the rules regarding the management of oil palm plantations in these locations must be adjusted to the results of the 1:50,000 scale survey.