Land-Use Driven Soil Erosion and Conservation Priorities in Tropical Highlands: A USLE-Based Analysis from Ngantang, Indonesia

Afif Ramadhan Gymnastiar, Purwadi Purwadi, Purnomo Edi Sasongko

Abstract


Background: Despite various soil conservation efforts, comprehensive spatial analysis of erosion hazards across different land uses in volcanic mountainous regions remains limited. This study aims to estimate the erosion rate and Erosion Hazard Level (EHL) across various land uses in Ngantang Sub-district, Malang Regency, utilizing field measurements combined with Geographic Information System (GIS) based Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE) modeling. Methodology: The research was conducted using a purposive sampling method based on land use types and slope gradient classes. The parameters analyzed included the factors R, K, LS, C, and P. Findings: The results showed that dryland (tegalan) and scrubland on steep slopes exhibited the highest erosion rates of up to 405.16 tons/ha/year and 379.05 tons/ha/year respectively (Very Severe category), while forested land had the lowest erosion rates (0.16 - 0.94 tons/ha/year). The LS and C factors are the primary determinants of erosion rates. These findings indicate that land cover (C factor) plays a more dominant role in mitigating erosion than slope gradient alone, providing a targeted spatial framework for local governments to prioritize conservation strategies. Recommended conservation measures include terrace rehabilitation, land conversion to agroforestry, and the implementation of grass strips to sustainably reduce erosion rates. Contribution: This study contributes a spatially explicit framework for identifying erosion hotspots and prioritizing land-use-specific conservation strategies in tropical highlands


Keywords


Geographic Information System; Land Use; Soil Conservation; Soil Erosion; USLE

Full Text:

PDF

References


Asdak, C. (2023). Hydrology and Watershed Management. (First edition). UGM Press. [In Indonesian language]

ASTM. (2022). ASTM D2434-22: Standard Test Method for Permeability of Granular Soils (Constant Head). ASTM International.

ASTM. (2019). ASTM D2216-19: Standard Test Methods for Laboratory Determination of Water (Moisture) Content of Soil and Rock by Mass. ASTM International.

Auliyani, D., & Wijaya, W. W. (2017). Comparison of sediment yield predictions using the Universal Soil Loss Equation model approach with direct measurements. Jurnal Penelitian Pengelolaan Daerah Aliran Sungai (Journal of Watershed Management Research), 1(1), 61–71. [In Indonesian language]

Ayuningtyas, E. A., Ilma, A. F. N., & Yudha, R. B. (2018). Mapping of Soil Erodibility and Its Correlation with Soil Characteristics in the Serang Watershed, Kulonprogo. Jurnal Nasional Teknologi Terapan (JNTT), 2(1), 37–46. [In Indonesian language]

Beczek, M., Ryżak, M., Mazur, R., Sochan, A., Polakowski, C., & Bieganowski, A. (2022). Influence of slope incline on the ejection of two-phase soil splashed material. PLoS ONE, 17. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0262203

Biddoccu, M., Guzmán, G., Capello, G., Thielke, T., Strauss, P., Winter, S., Zaller, J., Nicolai, A., Cluzeau, D., Popescu, D., Bunea, C., Hoble, A., Cavallo, E., & Gómez, J. (2020). Evaluation of soil erosion risk and identification of soil cover and management factor (C) for RUSLE in European vineyards with different soil management. International Soil and Water Conservation Research, 8, 337–353. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.iswcr.2020.07.003

Dunggio, I., & Ichsan, A. C. (2022). The Effectiveness of Vegetative Planting in Mitigating Erosion and Sedimentation (A Case Study in the Limboto River Basin, Gorontalo Province). Jurnal Belantara, 5(1), 45–58. [In Indonesian language]

Fajeriana, N., & Risal, D. (2023). Improving Understanding of Erosion Potential: Erosivity and Erodibility Through Rainfall Simulations on Different Topographies and Land Covers. Abdimas: Papua Journal of Community Service, 5(1), 64–74. [In Indonesian language]

Gee, G. W., & Bauder, J. W. (1986). Particle-size Analysis. In A. Klute (Ed.), Methods of Soil Analysis Part 1: Physical and Mineralogical Methods (2nd ed., pp. 383–411). American Society of Agronomy.

Guimarães, M. H., Martins, M., Vieira, D., Brito, I., Kelly, C., Guiomar, N., Stathopoulos, N., Zoka, M., Nóvoa, T., Cerdà, A., Faria, B., Madeira, J., Fidalgo, L., Panagos, P., Zdruli, P., Keesstra, S., Prats, S., Giuseppe, P. D., & Dobos, E. (2024). Preliminary assessment of the knowledge gaps to prevent soil erosion. Soils for Europe., 1. https://doi.org/10.3897/soils4europe.e118669

Herlina, E., Hayati, H., & Muktasam, M. (2023). Analysis of Land Use Direction based on Land Capability Class in the Kelep Watershed, Lombok. Jurnal Sains Teknologi & Lingkungan, 9(3), 502–515. [In Indonesian language]

Holisah, E. U. N., & Prijono, S. (2022). The Effect of Different Shade Trees on Soil Water-Holding Capacity in the Sumbermanjing Wetan Smallholder Coffee Plantation. Jurnal Tanah Dan Sumberdaya Lahan, 9(2), 375–383. [In Indonesian language]

Injiliana, L., Widiastuti, T., & Riyono, J. N. (2021). Soil Erodibility (K) Under Various Land Covers in Baru Village, Silat Hilir Subdistrict, Kapuas Hulu Regency. Jurnal Hutan Lestari, 8(4), 773–781. [In Indonesian language]

Kalaati, I., Ramlan, R., & Rahman, A. (2019). Soil Erodibility Levels on Landslopes of Various Gradients in Labuan Toposo Village, Labuan Subdistrict, Donggala Regency. Agrotekbis: Jurnal Ilmu Pertanian (e-Journal), 7(2), 172–178. [In Indonesian language]

Kurniawan, R., & Sari, R. (2017). The Effect of Permeability on Infiltration Rate. Jurnal Deformasi, 2(1), 50–60. [In Indonesian language]

Li, M., Wang, K., Ma, X., Fan, M., & Song, Y. (2024). Effects of land use change on soil aggregate stability and erodibility in the karst region of Southwest China. Agronomy, 14(7), 1534.

Liu, M., Han, G., & Zhang, Q. (2019). Effects of soil aggregate stability on soil organic carbon and nitrogen under land use change in an erodible region in Southwest China. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 16(20), 3809.

Maulana, H., Hermita, N., Fatmawaty, A. A., & Firnia, D. (2024). Analysis of Soil Erodibility for Sustainable Beneng Taro Cultivation Based on Elevation. Jurnal Ilmiah Membangun Desa Dan Pertanian, 9(6), 533–546. [In Indonesian language]

Majewski, M., Czuchaj, A., & Marciniak, M. (2023). Impact of rainfall intensity on soil erosion based on experimental research. Landform Analysis, 42, 25-36. 10.12657/Landfana-042-002].

Malík, A., Naharuddin, N., Massiri, S. D., Misrah, M., & Sustri. (2025). Integrative Application of USLE and GIS for Modeling Soil Erosion Dynamics and Conservation Prioritization in the Poboya Watershed, Indonesia. International Journal of Life Science and Agriculture Research, 4(11). https://doi.org/10.55677/ijlsar/v04i11y2025-09

Nsabiyumva, J. M. V., Apollonio, C., Castelli, G., Bresci, E., Petroselli, A., Sabir, M., Hicintuka, C., & Preti, F. (2025). Impact of Slow-Forming Terraces on Erosion Control and Landscape Restoration in Central Africa’s Steep Slopes. Land, 14(7), 1419. https://doi.org/10.3390/land14071419

Nurmani, U., Monde, A., & Rahman, A. (2016). Erosion Hazard Index (EHI) for Various Land-Use Types in Malei Village, Balaesang Tanjung Subdistrict, Donggala Regency. Agrotekbis, 4(2), 186–194. [In Indonesian language]

Pahlevi, R. S., Hasan, H., & Devy, S. D. (2019). A Study of Soil Erodibility in Pit 3000, Block 3, PT Bharinto Ekatama, West Kutai Regency, East Kalimantan Province. Jurnal Teknologi Mineral FT UNMUL, 6(1), 17-20. http://dx.doi.org/10.30872/jtm.v6i1.1386 [In Indonesian language]

Paimin, P. (2017). The effectiveness of mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla) plantation forest on controlling erosion and runoff. Forum Geografi, 19(1), 88–102.

Panagos, P., Borrelli, P., Meusburger, K., Yu, B., Klik, A., Jae Lim, K., Yang, J. E., Ni, J., Miao, C., & Chattopadhyay, N. (2017). Global rainfall erosivity assessment based on high-temporal resolution rainfall records. Scientific Reports, 7(1), 4175.

Parenja, J. A., Salsabila, M. A., & Parasnalurita, D. (2025). Terracing as a Solution to Erosion on Critical Land. Jurnal Pendidikan Sosial Dan Humaniora, 4(3), 4775–4787. [In Indonesian language]

Pawar, R., Sharma, R. K., Kumar, A., & Sepehya, S. (2020). Impact of land use change on soil erosion, sedimentation and soil microbiome. International Journal of Chemical Studies, 8(2), 881–886. https://doi.org/10.22271/chemi.2020.v8.i2m.8877

Rianto, D. J., & Marwadi, A. (2023). The Relationship Between Soil Erodibility and Erosion on Former Coal Mining Sites. Jurnal Sains Teknologi & Lingkungan, 9(2), 379–390. [In Indonesian language]

Sabaruddin, S., Fitri, S. N. A., & Lestari, L. (2019). The Relationship Between Soil Organic Matter Content and the Post-Harvest Period of Acacia mangium Willd. Plantations. Journal of Tropical Soils, 14(2), 105–110. [In Indonesian language]

Saputra, R. T., Utami, S. R., & Agustina, C. (2022). The relationship between slope angle and percentage of surface rock and landslides, based on simulation results. Jurnal Tanah Dan Sumberdaya Lahan, 9(2), 339–346. [In Indonesian language]

Seran, S. S. L. M. F. (2022). Analysis of Erosion in the Noelmina Watershed Using the USLE Method. Eternitas: Jurnal Teknik Sipil, 2(1), 33–39. [In Indonesian language]

Sheng, Y., Zhang, S., Li, L., Cao, Z., & Zhang, Y. (2025). Simulation of slope soil erosion intensity with different vegetation patterns based on cellular automata model. Frontiers in Environmental Science, 12, 1512973. https://doi.org/10.3389/fenvs.2024.1512973

Shoumik, B. A. A., Khan, Md. Z., & Islam, Md. S. (2023). Soil erosion estimation by RUSLE model using GIS and remote sensing techniques: A case study of the tertiary hilly regions in Bangladesh from 2017 to 2021. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 195(9), 1096–1096. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-023-11699-4

Sianipar, K. O., Sumiyati, S., & Yulianti, N. (2023). Erosion Prediction Using the RUSLE Method on Farmland in Candikuning Village, Baturiti Subdistrict, Tabanan Regency. Jurnal BETA (Biosistem Dan Teknik Pertanian), 12(1), 80-90. https://doi.org/10.24843/jbeta.2024.v12.i01.p09 [In Indonesian language]

Srivastava, S., Basche, A., Traylor, E., & Roy, T. (2023). The efficacy of conservation practices in reducing floods and improving water quality. Frontiers in Environmental Science, 11. https://doi.org/10.3389/fenvs.2023.1136989

Sun, Y., & Li, Y. (2025). Overview of Different Land Use Practices and Impact on Soil Erosion. Scientific Journal of Technology. https://doi.org/10.54691/4h8kj389

Suprayogi, S., Purnama, L. S., & Darmanto, D. (2024). Watershed Management (First edition). UGM Press. [In Indonesian language]

Sutrisno, J., Sanim, B., Saefuddin, A., & Sitorus, S. R. P. (2011). Policy Guidelines for Erosion and Sedimentation Control in the Keduang Sub-Watershed, Wonogiri Regency. Sains Tanah-Journal of Soil Science and Agroclimatology, 8(2), 105–118. [In Indonesian language]

Taslim, R. K., Mandala, M., & Indarto, I. (2019). Erosion Predictions in East Java: Application of USLE and GIS. Jurnal Ilmu Lingkungan, 17(2), 323–332. [In Indonesian language]

Thomas, J., Joseph, S., & Thrivikramji, K. P. (2018). Estimation of soil erosion in a rain shadow river basin in the southern Western Ghats, India using RUSLE and transport limited sediment delivery function. International Soil and Water Conservation Research, 6(2), 111–122.

Uniqbu, A., Sangadji, M. F., & Abdullah, A. (2021). Surface Runoff Rates and Erosion in Relation to Land Use in Batuboy Village, Buru Regency. Agritrop, 19(1), 59–66. [In Indonesian language]

Walkley, A., & Black, I. A. (1934). An Examination of the Degtjareff Method for Determining Soil Organic Matter and a Proposed Modification of the Chromic Acid Titration Method. Soil Science, 37(1), 29–38.

Wang, Z., Zeng, R., & Ma, P. (2024). Determining of gully erosion susceptibility based on UAV and machine learning in Loess Plateau. Geomatics Natural Hazards and Risk, 15(1), 2421382. https://doi.org/10.1080/19475705.2024.2421382

Wischmeier, W. H., & Smith, D. D. (1978). Predicting rainfall erosion losses: a guide to conservation planning. The USDA Agricultural Handbook No. 537. Department of Agriculture, Science and Education Administration.

Yang, T., Zhang, Z., Yu, P., Yin, Z., Li, A., Zhou, X., Qi, Z., & Wang, B. (2024). Soil aggregates and water infiltration performance of different water and soil conservation measures on phaeozems sloping farmland in northeast China. Agronomy, 14(10), 2410.

Zhang, X., Zhu, Q., Sang, J., & Ding, X. (2022). Effects of rainfall and the slope gradient on the soil and water loss in a purple soil area. Soil and Water Research, 17(4), 232–242. https://doi.org/10.17221/45/2022-swr




DOI: https://doi.org/10.36987/jpbn.v12i2.9262

Refbacks

  • There are currently no refbacks.


Copyright (c) 2026 Afif Ramadhan Gymnastiar, Purwadi Purwadi, Purnomo Edi Sasongko

Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.