The Effect of vegetation density on infiltration rate in the Suso Watershed

Abstract

Abstract This research was conducted in the Suso Watershed, Luwu Regency, as a respond to the decrease in forest area, which can lead to a decrease in vegetation density and reduce the forest’s ability to act as a natural filter capable of absorbing, storing, and infiltrating rainwater into the soil, known as infiltration capacity. This poses a significant potential for flood disasters in the Suso Watershed, Luwu Regency. Therefore, the aims of this research are: (1) to analyze the vegetation density level using the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), (2) to analyze the infiltration rate at various levels of vegetation density, (3) to analyze the physical properties of the soil at various levels of vegetation density, and (4) to analyze the relationship between the influence of vegetation density and soil physical properties on the infiltration rate in the Suso Watershed. The research method employed was a survey of NDVI greenness data to represent the level of vegetation density in the field using Image J, followed by the measurement of infiltration rates using a double ring infiltrometer and soil sampling at each observation point for the analysis of soil physical properties, including texture, porosity, permeability, and organic matter content. The results showed that NDVI greenness level aligns with the level of vegetation density in the field. Furthermore, the lowest to highest infiltration rates at each vegetation density level were sparse density (88.56 mm/hour), medium density (97.87 mm/hour), and dense density (207.20 mm/hour). The physical properties of the soil at the study location varied according to the level of vegetation density. Statistical test results indicated an influence of vegetation density on the infiltration rate with R 2 = 48.6%, showing a linear and positive relationship, whereas the relationship between soil physical properties and the infiltration rate showed a stronger relationship with R 2 = 91.6%, also positive. It can be concluded that both vegetation density and soil physical properties positively influence the infiltration rate in the Suso Watershed.

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