J. Bio. & Env. Sci.

2013

Journal of Biodiversity and Environmental Sciences (JBES)

ISSN: 2220-6663 (Print) 2222-3045 (Online)
Vol. 3, No. 11, p. 21-30, 2013
http://www.innspub.net

RESEARCH PAPER OPEN ACCESS

Assessment of the relationship between land use land cover and

water quality status of the tropical watershed: a case of Batang
Merao Watershed, Indonesia

Rachmad Firdaus*, Nobukazu Nakagoshi

Graduate School for International Development and Cooperation, Hiroshima University 1-5-1
Kagamiyama, Higashihiroshima, Hiroshima 739- 8529, Japan

Article published on November 2, 2013

Key words: Water resource, land change, water pollution index, STORET method, conservation.

Abstract
Considering the vital role of Batang Merao Watershed as the source of water reservoir for most regional economic
activities and the buffer zone of Kerinci Seblat National Park, this study aimed to investigate the relationship
between LULC and water quality in the watershed. A total of 15 stations from selected catchments were collected
and analyzed for bio-physic-chemical parameters for water quality analysis. The parameters were analyzed by
using the Water Pollution Index (WPI) and STORET methods as the national standard of river water quality in
Indonesia. LULC was analyzed by using GIS and remote sensing from Landsat image data for 2006 and 2011.
Analysis of variance, correlation analysis, and stepwise multiple regression analysis were used to investigate
spatial and temporal variations of LULC, water quality, and the relationship between them. The water quality
study revealed that Batang Merao watershed was classified as lightly polluted (86.67%) and moderately polluted
(13.33%) meanwhile, the STORET results indicated that about 80% of them were moderately polluted. The
results also indicated that the study area was mostly dominated by mixed plantation (35%) and shrub/bush
(21%), and also showed decreases in forest and increase in cultivated area (mix plantation and agricultural land).
Statistical analysis showed several important results that One-way Anova indicated significant spatial differences;
Pearsons correlation showed the relationship between LULC and water quality parameters and regression
analysis estimated the water quality parameter on changing LULC. The research could provide critical
information on sustainable land use practice for water resource conservation for the tropical watershed.
*Corresponding Author: Rachmad firdaus r.firdaus2010@gmail.com

21 | Firdaus and Nakagoshi