Analysis of Land Cover Changes in the Lekuk 50 Tumbi (Lempur) Customary Forest, Kerinci Regency, Jambi Province

Abstract

Stability of forest land cover is an important element to maintain the sustainibility of Lekuk 50 Tumbi Lempur Customary Forest conservation. Land cover changes in the area of Lekuk 50 Tumbi Lempur Customary Forest caused by economic demands, so Lempur society perform activities of forest conversion from forest to cinnamon monoculture. Data and information about the condition of Lekuk 50 Tumbi Lempur Customary Forest can be analyzed by Geographic Information System (GIS). Aim of this study is (1) to measure amount and rate of land cover changes of Lekuk 50 Tumbi Lempur Customary Forest and (2) to analyze the causes of land cover changes from social, economic and cultural aspects.This research carried out for 6 months, during May until October 2010. Social and economic data and ground check, taked and performed on Lekuk 50 Tumbi Lempur Customary Forest during July until October 2010. Data collected include spatial data i.e. maps, Landsat image, and ground control points and attribute data in the form of rural data, land cover change data and society perception. Spatial data is processed using geographical information systems and remote sensing method. While the attribute data was processed descriptive then analyzed qualitatively to determine the impact on land cover change that occurred. Land cover and land use in the Lekuk 50 Tumbi Lempur Customary Forest from 1988 until 2008 based on the survey are grouped into four categories. Land cover and land uses types are forest, cinnamon monoculture, shrubs and open land. Land cover types that have the increased in the area of greatest number is cinnamon monoculture. In 2008, Cinnamon monoculture cover has increased 62,06 ha or 158,18% wider than 1988. Other cover types that have increased the area is shrubs. The increased of shrub land cover area is 3,09 ha or 28,36% wider than the year 1988. In the period of 1988 until 2008, forest land cover decreased 57,91 hectares or 12,18%. The causes of land cover change in social, economic and cultural community aspects is the price of cinnamon that expensive, the weakening of traditional mechanisms implementation, the number and density of population, and livelihood.

Stability of forest land cover is an important element to maintain the sustainibility of Lekuk 50 Tumbi Lempur Customary Forest conservation. Land cover changes in the area of Lekuk 50 Tumbi Lempur Customary Forest caused by economic demands, so Lempur society perform activities of forest conversion from forest to cinnamon monoculture. Data and information about the condition of Lekuk 50 Tumbi Lempur Customary Forest can be analyzed by Geographic Information System (GIS). Aim of this study is (1) to measure amount and rate of land cover changes of Lekuk 50 Tumbi Lempur Customary Forest and (2) to analyze the causes of land cover changes from social, economic and cultural aspects.This research carried out for 6 months, during May until October 2010. Social and economic data and ground check, taked and performed on Lekuk 50 Tumbi Lempur Customary Forest during July until October 2010. Data collected include spatial data i.e. maps, Landsat image, and ground control points and attribute data in the form of rural data, land cover change data and society perception. Spatial data is processed using geographical information systems and remote sensing method. While the attribute data was processed descriptive then analyzed qualitatively to determine the impact on land cover change that occurred. Land cover and land use in the Lekuk 50 Tumbi Lempur Customary Forest from 1988 until 2008 based on the survey are grouped into four categories. Land cover and land uses types are forest, cinnamon monoculture, shrubs and open land. Land cover types that have the increased in the area of greatest number is cinnamon monoculture. In 2008, Cinnamon monoculture cover has increased 62,06 ha or 158,18% wider than 1988. Other cover types that have increased the area is shrubs. The increased of shrub land cover area is 3,09 ha or 28,36% wider than the year 1988. In the period of 1988 until 2008, forest land cover decreased 57,91 hectares or 12,18%. The causes of land cover change in social, economic and cultural community aspects is the price of cinnamon that expensive, the weakening of traditional mechanisms implementation, the number and density of population, and livelihood.