Erosion Control in Safe and Sustainable Plantation Development Efforts
at Watershed Area, Riau Province, in Indonesia
Abstract
The rapid development of agriculture and settlements has led to several
land conversion, and one of such affected locations is upstream of the
Siak watershed in Riau Province, Indonesia. Land degradation occurs due
to soil erosion, which may cause flooding and drought. Therefore, this
study aims to analyze the factors causing erosion and determine how to
control it. The survey method of observing and measuring soil samples,
vegetation, and soil conservation techniques applied in each land unit
was used. Rainfall data, soil characteristics, slopes, crop management,
and soil conservation techniques were collected and analyzed using USLE.
The results showed that the erosion in the Siak watershed is relatively
high (339 tons/ ha/year). Furthermore, the plant management and soil
conservation techniques did not follow the required principles, and the
erosion control was determined by improving crop management and soil
conservation techniques in an integrated manner at each unit of land.
This step was expected to reduce erosion in the Siak watershed