Land Cover Dynamics of Social Forestry Using Google Earth Engine at Latimojong Forest Management Unit, South Sulawesi, Indonesia

Abstract

Latimojong is the only Forest Management Unit based in Luwu Regency with a Social Forestry area of 16,483.4 hectares. As a governmental step in improving community welfare and forest conservation, social forestry needs to be measured in terms of its effectiveness in protecting land cover and carbon absorption capacity. This study aims to analyze changes in land use and carbon storage in the context of social forestry (SF) in Luwu Regency, South Sulawesi Province. The analysis included determining the location of Social Forestry permits using a geospatial database, interpreting land cover using Google Earth Engine with the random forest classification method, testing the accuracy of the interpretation, and conducting further analysis using LUMENS software. This analysis, which combines Google Earth Engine technology and a multidisciplinary approach with LUMENS, can generate information regarding changes in land cover and carbon sequestration in the SF permit area. The research results showed an increase in forest area (land cover) of approximately 1,443 ha from dryland agriculture and bare land. The community planted an agroforestry system that combined seasonal crops from agriculture, plantations, and forestry. Additionally, the community maintains the forest by utilizing environmental services, including water, air, and tourism facilities. The increase in forest area also resulted in a 3,161,552.59-tons increase in carbon absorption over the five years. The increase in carbon stock is the basis for developing policy recommendations that are expected to support the decision-making process in sustainable forest management and climate change mitigation efforts.

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