Spatial distribution of soil morphology and physicochemical properties to assess land degradation under different NDVI and TRI in North Halmahera, Indonesia
Penulis/Author
ROFITA (1); Prof. Dr. Ir. Sri Nuryani Hidayah Utami, M.P., M.Sc. (2); Prof. Dr. Ir. Azwar Ma`as, M.Sc. (3); Dr. Agr. Makruf Nurudin, S.P., M.P. (4)
Tanggal/Date
5 2021
Kata Kunci/Keyword
Abstrak/Abstract
Land degradation is currently a major environmental problem that can lead to
decreasing biomass productivity. The causes of land degradation have been
widely reported. However, the soil morphological characteristics and its
detailed properties related to land degradation need to be investigated further.
The research was conducted in North Halmahera Regency in March-April
2020. The study started with an overlay of basic maps such as rainfall, land
use, topography, and soil types to map the degraded land units. Several land
units classified from slightly damaged to severely damaged will be validated
based on field observations and supported by laboratory measurements.
Characterization of soil morphology and soil sampling was carried out
according to USDA international standards. Sentinel 2A image and SRTM
image from March to April 2020 were used to determine NDVI and TRI. The
characteristics of the soils that have not been degraded tend to be found in
volcanic landscapes, while those of the degraded soils tend to be found in
structural and karst hills. The thickness of the degraded soil horizons tends to
be shallower with an incomplete horizon arrangement, and many rock
fragments are found in the soil surface layer. SOC gradually decreases in
degraded soils, while the essential nutrients (N, P, and K) are relatively more
varied across soil types. The improper land use without conservation on steep
slopes causes the soils to be easily degraded. The soil degradation index has a
linear relationship with NDVI and TRI. Thus, the revitalization of degraded
lands needs to pay attention to the layout and types of vegetation with different
slope levels according to the geomorphological zone.
