SOIL INFILTRATION IN VARIOUS AREAS AS A BASIS FOR HYDRLOGICAL ALTERATIONS IN THE TOBOLI WATERSHED, CENTRAL SULAWESI, INDONESIA

Abstract

The heterogeneity of infiltration has a strategic influence on the hydrological process in the watershed, and one of the factors affecting its rate and soil compaction is land use. Therefore, this study aims to compare infiltration rates in three land-use areas, namely secondary forest, agroforestry, and moor. A survey method was used, where field data observations were carried out at three locations. The infiltration rate measurement was performed using a double-ring infiltrometer with five repetitions at each sampling site. The results showed that the lowest value of 4.72 cm h-1 was recorded on the moorland, while agroforestry had the highest of 12.87 cm h-1. These findings indicate that land use has a significant role in changing soil physical properties and compaction, hence, sustainable soil and water conservation strategies are needed.