Preservation of primary forests

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 109 views

Land Use Model to Support Sustainable Water Availability in the Krueng Peusangan River Basin

Introduction

Watershed management is a crucial practice that regulates land use in a rational and environmentally friendly way. It involves optimizing and evaluating various interests with indicators related to the quantity, quality, and continuity of river flow at the point of expenditure. This study aims to determine the water carrying capacity using the MOCK model and NRCS integration model and basic flow (baseflow). Additionally, it aims to evaluate the stability of water production, predict water demand, and build a model of land use control through a curve number.

Methodology

The study employed the MOCK model and NRCS integration model to determine the water carrying capacity. The MOCK model uses evapotranspiration based on the Penman formula, while the NRCS integration model uses basic flow records. The study also measured water availability directly and compared the results with the model predictions. Furthermore, the study evaluated the stability of water production, predicted water demand, and built a model of land use control through a curve number.

Results

The results of the study show that the availability of water using the Mock model is around 804,192,989.26 m³/year. Meanwhile, the availability of water using the NRCS integration model and the basic flow records a much larger number, namely 2,559,231,717.61 m³/year. Measurement of water availability carried out directly shows the number 911.510,715.74 m³/year. The performance test results show that the Mock model is the best model compared to other models based on measurement results at the expenditure point.

Stability of Water Production

The stability of water production in the Krueng Peusangan watershed varies with significant differences in five observation points. For example, the Krueng Seumpo (A) area has an infiltration pattern with the trend y = 9.2x-0.35, while the Ds area. Simpang Jaya (B) shows the trend y = 559.7x-0.5. At the point of Kr. Beukah (C), infiltration patterns recorded y = 142x-0.32. Lut Tawar Sub-dats (D) Has an infiltration pattern y = 1,301x-0.12, while the sub-watershed point is teupin mane (E) shows the pattern y = 2,106x-0.47. These results indicate that points A, B, C, and E have a much lower slope of infiltration patterns compared to the Lut Tawar (D) sub-databout, which tends to be horizontal.

Water Demand

In the case of water demand, the total water requirement in 2010 was recorded at 660,344,828.6 m³, with projections increased to 809,939,456.2 m³ in 2060. Based on the classification of water usage index, the Krueng Peusangan watershed was included in the good category with a value below 0.6 based on the availability of water from the NRCS model of the NRC Model. However, if it refers to the measurement data on average water availability between 1992-1996, the use of water until 2020 is classified. Conversely, for the 2020-2040 period it is expected to decrease so that it is categorized as bad.

Conservation and Management

Concerns about a decrease in quality and quantity of water resources are also seen from the data showing that the primary forest area is reduced by 82.51%. This decrease occurred in two periods, namely 8.86% from 1990 to 2000, and continued in the period 2000 to 2011. Meanwhile, changes in surface runoff experienced a significant increase, which was 977% from 1990 to 2000, and 30% in the period 2000 to 2011.

The ongoing scenario and conservation obtained through the curve number value indicate that after the simulation, surface flow will not occur. This means that infiltration and groundwater reserves can be increased. The research scenario that puts forward the preservation of primary forests and the conversion of shrubs and vacant land into secondary dry forests, is believed to be able to maintain water availability over the next 50 years by considering the average rainfall over the last two decades (1992-2012).

Conclusion

Proper and sustainable management of land use in the Krueng Peusangan watershed is very important to maintain the availability of water that not only benefits the ecosystem, but also for people who depend on these water resources. This emphasizes the need for collaborative efforts in maintaining and managing the environment to remain balanced and sustainable.

Recommendations

Based on the findings of this study, the following recommendations are made:

Preservation of primary forests: The preservation of primary forests is crucial to maintain the availability of water. The conversion of shrubs and vacant land into secondary dry forests can also help to increase infiltration and groundwater reserves.
Sustainable land use management: Sustainable land use management is essential to maintain the balance between human needs and environmental sustainability. This includes the use of best management practices, such as contour farming and terracing, to reduce soil erosion and increase water retention.
Collaborative efforts: Collaborative efforts between stakeholders, including government agencies, local communities, and private sector organizations, are necessary to maintain and manage the environment sustainably.
Monitoring and evaluation: Regular monitoring and evaluation of the watershed's condition are necessary to identify areas that require attention and to assess the effectiveness of conservation and management efforts.

By implementing these recommendations, it is possible to maintain the availability of water in the Krueng Peusangan watershed and ensure the long-term sustainability of the ecosystem.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Land Use Model to Support Sustainable Water Availability in the Krueng Peusangan River Basin

Q1: What is the main objective of the land use model in the Krueng Peusangan River Basin?

A1: The main objective of the land use model is to determine the water carrying capacity using the MOCK model and NRCS integration model and basic flow (baseflow). Additionally, it aims to evaluate the stability of water production, predict water demand, and build a model of land use control through a curve number.

Q2: What are the key findings of the study?

A2: The study found that the availability of water using the Mock model is around 804,192,989.26 m³/year, while the availability of water using the NRCS integration model and the basic flow records a much larger number, namely 2,559,231,717.61 m³/year. Measurement of water availability carried out directly shows the number 911.510,715.74 m³/year.

Q3: How does the land use model help in predicting water demand?

A3: The land use model helps in predicting water demand by analyzing the total water requirement in 2010, which was recorded at 660,344,828.6 m³, with projections increased to 809,939,456.2 m³ in 2060.

Q4: What are the implications of the study's findings on water availability?

A4: The study's findings indicate that the Krueng Peusangan watershed is expected to experience a decrease in water availability over the next 50 years, with a projected decrease of 30% in the 2020-2040 period.

Q5: What are the recommendations of the study for sustainable water management?

A5: The study recommends the preservation of primary forests, sustainable land use management, collaborative efforts between stakeholders, and regular monitoring and evaluation of the watershed's condition.

Q6: How can the land use model be used to support sustainable water management?

A6: The land use model can be used to support sustainable water management by providing a framework for analyzing the impact of land use changes on water availability and quality. It can also be used to identify areas that require attention and to assess the effectiveness of conservation and management efforts.

Q7: What are the benefits of using the land use model in the Krueng Peusangan River Basin?

A7: The benefits of using the land use model in the Krueng Peusangan River Basin include improved water availability, reduced soil erosion, increased groundwater recharge, and enhanced ecosystem services.

Q8: How can the land use model be integrated with other management tools to support sustainable water management?

A8: The land use model can be integrated with other management tools, such as geographic information systems (GIS), remote sensing, and decision support systems, to support sustainable water management.

Q9: What are the challenges associated with implementing the land use model in the Krueng Peusangan River Basin?

A9: The challenges associated with implementing the land use model in the Krueng Peusangan River Basin include limited data availability, high costs, and lack of institutional capacity.

Q10: How can the land use model be used to support policy-making and decision-making in the Krueng Peusangan River Basin?

A10: The land use model can be used to support policy-making and decision-making in the Krueng Peusangan River Basin by providing a scientific basis for evaluating the impact of different policy options on water availability and quality.