Dynamics of changes in land use, land cover concerning to potential loss of biodiversity in the downstream of Tallo watershed, South Sulawesi

Abstract

Surni, Baja S, Arsyad I. 2015. Dynamics of changes in land use, land cover to potential loss of biodiversity in the watershed of Tallo, South Sulawesi. Pros Sem Nas Masy Biodiv Indon 1: 1050-1055. Research analysis of spatial and temporal changes in land use, land cover concerning to potential loss of biodiversity in the Tallo Watershed, conducted through comparing the classified satellite images in 1997, 2009 and 2012 with GIS analysis in a period that has been specified. This study aimed to determine the extent of changing land use concerning to biodiversity potential reduction in downstream of Tallo watershed and promote the use of space in the downstream direction of Tallo watershed. The analysis showed that farming area, 2009.34 ha, in 1997 decreased to 1746.76 ha in 2009 and the settlement area, 6138.10 ha, in 1997 increased to 6400.68 ha in 2009. Within these 12 years, 262.58 ha of the farming area has been declined and 262.58 ha of settlement area has been extended which enhances the conversion of green land into a residential area. Indeed, changes in land use, land cover in the downstream of Tallo watershed has been occurred due to the decline of land use, expansion of green land conversion to settlement area. To minimize the reduction of biodiversity in the downstream of Tallo watershed, conversion of green land to settlement area should be conducted on dry land and open land, conservation of existing green land, recast the residential area with endemic species of Sulawesi.