Temporal changes in Land Use and Land Cover (LULC) and local climate in the Krueng Peusangan Watershed (KPW) area, Aceh, Indonesia

Abstract

Watersheds are important sources of various ecosystem services. The Krueng Peusangan Watershed (KPW), one of the watersheds in Aceh Province, is expected to become the "lungs" of the ecology of the north-central part of Aceh. Currently, the KPW is one of the watersheds that suffers from severe or critical damage, especially that caused by changes in forest cover. Spatiotemporal monitoring of changes in landscape patterns (composition and configuration) is needed to inform policy and support planning for sustainable watershed management. This study aims to: 1) determine the pattern of changes in LULC in KPW in two decades (1999–2009 and 2009–2019, and 2) determine the impact of changes in the LULC pattern on the local climate. Landsat Satellite Imagery for three years (1999, 2009, and 2019) is used to classify LULC. Geographic Information System (GIS) technology and remote sensing are used to analyze it. Each satellite image is classified into six categories: built-up area, forest, agriculture, bare land, wetland, and water body. This classification resulted in LULC maps for 1999, 2009, and 2019 with kappa coefficients of 0.84, 0.88, and 0.84. It is found that between 1999–2009 and 2009–2019, there has been a consistent decrease in forest cover area and an increase in built-up area. Local climate change is also occurring in this KPW. Continuous monitoring of LULC changes in KPW is also necessary to keep management planning up to date.

Climate change, villages and agromaritime: Current conditions and future challenges in Indonesia

“…Regrettably, many dams and reservoirs currently do not function effectively, and several watersheds are facing critical conditions. The Krueng Peusangan River Basin (KPW) in Aceh Province is one such watershed that has suffered severe or critical damage primarily due to changes in forest cover [40]. Therefore, it is crucial to encourage investment in agromaritime infrastructure to enable village communities to build networks and better access markets.…”

Urban Growth Pattern Changes Model in Small Island of Aceh Province, Indonesia: Implications for Sustainable Spatial Development

“…LULC changes are also influenced by the substantial population growth in the city [39]. The population of Sabang City has risen from 32,191 The slow expansion of the built-up area in Sabang City can be attributed to the city's physical features, which are primarily characterized by land with a 40% slope, consisting of tropical woodland designated as protected areas and tourist attractions.…”