Land cover changes monitoring over ten years in upstream watershed of Deli Serdang Regency North Sumatra Province

Abstract

Abstract Deli Serdang is one of the regencies in North Sumatra Province, experiencing relatively rapid development and population. Increasing in demand for the availability of land as living space. Two sub-districts of upstream watershed experienced changes in land cover, namely; Sinembah Tanjung Muda (STM) Hilir and STM Hulu. Monitoring changes in land cover in both sub-districts is essential, given that they are located in the upstream area of the watershed and will impact other areas in the lower watershed. This study aims to analyse land cover changes in both sub-districts over ten years (2009 - 2019). The method used in calculating land changes that occur is change detection. Field surveys were carried out to ensure that the land cover conditions on the land cover maps followed the field’s actual conditions. The research shows the period of 2009 – 2019, land cover that has increased in the area are mining, industry, open land, settlements, livestock and shrubs. The decrease in the area occurred in land cover, including dryland forest, mixed gardens and cultivated land.