Land use directions based on the level of land conversion vulnerability in the Padang Watersheds, North Sumatera

Abstract

Abstract Hazardous land conversion in the Padang watersheds harms the hydrological conditions of the watersheds. Land use without considering the capacity and carrying capacity of the land results in decreased land productivity and increased watershed damage. This study aims to recommend directions for land use and land management in the Padang watersheds in areas that have a high and very high level of land conversion vulnerability. Analysis of land conversion vulnerability obtained by spatial modeling using ArcGis 10.3 software. The land cover data used in this study are data from the Ministry of Environment and Forestry in 2000 and 2019. Directions for land use are carried out through literature review in scientific journals, activity reports from both government and non-government agencies. Recommendations for land management directions are differentiated for urban areas and non-urban areas. Shrub cover that is vulnerable to conversion so that reforestation or other productive land uses are carried out with attention to soil and water conservation. Secondary dryland forest cover that is very vulnerable to conversion for partnerships with communities through community forestry/agroforestry schemes, rehabilitation and reforestation, and ecotourism. Plantation cover that is vulnerable to conversion can adopt an intercropping pattern of garden crops and seasonal crops. Agricultural land cover of dry land with high conversion vulnerability can adopt perennial crops at the land boundary and apply soil and water conservation. Residential areas in rural areas can adopt tree planting and make infiltration wells. The management direction for residential land in urban areas is to apply water conservation techniques (infiltration wells and polders) and arrangement of residential areas.