The impact of land use change on land capability in Tirtomoyo-Wonogiri

Abstract

This research was conducted with the aim of studying land use change and evaluating the impact of land conversion on land capability in Tirtomoyo District of Wonogiri Regency. This research employed a descriptive, explorative method by utilizing SIG Arc Map 10.1 and Google Earth Pro software. The analysis of land use change, especially agricultural land, was conducted through visual interpretation of Google Earth Pro satellite imaging in 2004 and 2016. A ground check was done by land survey. Soil sample analysis was done to determine land capability class. Based on research results, it was found that eight locations experienced land use change. Location 1 had changed from secondary forest to moor, location 2 from moor into farm, location 3 from bushes into paddy field, location 4 from paddy field into farm, location 5 from paddy field into farm, location 6 from moor into paddy field, location 7 bushes into moor, and the location 8 from paddy field into farm. Land use changes showed different results of changes in soil physical properties based on soil characteristics at each type of land use. Changes in land use generally had less impact on land use class change. Locations 1, 6, and 7 did not experience changes in land capability class, but there were changes in the sub-classes of land capability. Locations 2 and 8 did not experience changes in class or sub-classes of land capability but sites 3, 4, and 5 indicated changes in land capability class by inhibiting factors namely permeability class in a paddy field.