Potential Erosion in Mining, Oil Palm Plantations, and Watersheds Reforestation Areas

Erosion forecasting is a complex issue generated by numerous causes, the extent of which varies based on the unique area and conditions. Changes in rainfall, land cover, and watershed function are the primary causes of increased erosion. This study aims to scrutinize the actual and potential erosion in the mining area (MA), oil palm plantations (OPP), and watersheds reforestation (WR) in Asoloe, South Konawe, Indonesia. We utilized qualitative research methods and surveys with the USLE model. MA shares the highest actual erosion with ۳۳۲.۳۰ tons/ha/year, with an average erosion of ۲۷.۶۹ tons/ha/year from ۲۰۱۱ to ۲۰۲۲. Meanwhile, the potential erosion is ۴۷۴۷.۱۹ tons/ha/year, with an average of ۳۹۵.۶۰ tons/ha/year. In terms of current conditions, ۴۴.۶% of rainfall engenders erosion with more than ۰.۵ t/ha and ۳۳.۹% with more than ۱ t/ha. This study successfully demonstrates that for given location and area characteristics, high amounts of rainfall and changes in land function eminently affect soil erosion and that the potential erosion changes that occur in the Asoloe watershed every year are exceptionally influenced by changes in land use and land function. Therefore, some mitigation strategies and policies must be taken to reduce the risk of future erosion. Doi: ۱۰.۲۸۹۹۱/CEJ-۲۰۲۳-۰۹-۰۹-۰۷ Full Text: PDF

Keywords:

Erosion Potential , Watershed , Land-Use Change , Rainfall.