High levels of anthropogenic disorders

Oct 13, 2025 by windailys.com 25 views

Analysis of Riparian Vegetation in Watersheds (DAS) Percut: Challenges and Solutions

Introduction

Riparian ecosystems, which are found along the banks of rivers, play a vital role in maintaining environmental balance. Unfortunately, the existence of these ecosystems is threatened by various human activities. One of the main threats is the conversion of vegetation land into built areas, which causes the loss of riparian vegetation. The Percut River, which flows through Karo Regency, Deli Serdang Regency, and Medan City, has experienced pressure on its riparian vegetation. This study aims to analyze the distribution and characteristics of riparian vegetation along the Central Percut River to downstream, conducted in December 2021 to February 2022.

Methodology

This study uses Sentinel-2 image data to analyze the characteristics of riparian vegetation with the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) method, Normalized Difference Built-Up Index (NDBI), Normalized Difference Built-up Water (NDWI), and modified normalized Difference Water Index (MNDWI). In addition, this research also conducts an analysis of vegetation structures with measurements in the field of seedlings, stakes, poles, trees, and non-trees.

Results

The results showed that the use of the NDVI, NDBI, NDWI, and MNDWI indexes was not optimal to characterize riparian vegetation in the Percut River. This is due to the inadequate spatial resolution of the Sentinel-2 image to capture the details of riparian vegetation along the narrow river. Analysis of vegetation structure shows that the density of trees is higher than stakes, pillars, and seedlings. This condition indicates that the natural regeneration of riparian vegetation in the Percut River is not going well.

Why Natural Regeneration is not Optimal?

Several factors can be a cause of natural regeneration that is not optimal, including:

High levels of anthropogenic disorders: Human activity around the Percut River, such as the conversion of land functions, infrastructure development, and waste disposal, can damage the habitat and inhibit the vegetation regeneration process.
Mismatch of habitat conditions: Factors such as soil erosion, changes in water flow, and poor water quality can reduce the ability of plants to grow and develop.
Lack of parent plant population: This condition can be caused by logging of trees in the past, thereby reducing the number of seeds available for regeneration.

Solution to Preserve Riparian Vegetation

Based on the results of the study, interventions are needed to preserve riparian vegetation in the Percut River. Some solutions that can be applied include:

Planting Program: Tree planting with a species that is suitable for riparian can help speed up the regeneration process and increase vegetation diversity.
Sustainable watershed management: Comprehensive management of Percut Watershed (DAS), including efforts to control erosion, water conservation, and waste management, is very important to create habitat conditions that support vegetation regeneration.
Effective monitoring system development: Comprehensive monitoring system for monitoring changes in riparian vegetation and the factors that influence it can help in evaluating the effectiveness of conservation efforts and identifying problems that arise.
Increasing public awareness: Education and socialization to the public about the importance of maintaining riparian vegetation can encourage active participation in conservation efforts.

Conclusion

This study shows that riparian vegetation in the Percut River requires serious attention to ensure its sustainability. Increased tree density without optimal regeneration indicates the need for integrated planting and management interventions. The efforts made to preserve riparian vegetation in the Percut River will not only help maintain the ecological function of the river, but will also benefit the community, such as:

Improving water quality: Riparian vegetation acts as a natural filter that can clean water from pollutants.
Control of erosion: Roots of riparian plants can hold the soil and prevent erosion along the river banks.
Wildlife Habitat: Riparian vegetation provides habitat for various types of wildlife, such as birds, fish, and mammals.
Increased aesthetic value: Healthy and lush riparian vegetation increases the aesthetic value and natural beauty around the river.

Therefore, it is important to immediately take concrete steps to preserve riparian vegetation in the Percut River.

Recommendations

Based on the findings of this study, the following recommendations are made:

The government and local authorities should take immediate action to preserve riparian vegetation in the Percut River.
The development of a comprehensive management plan for Percut Watershed (DAS) is necessary to ensure the sustainability of riparian vegetation.
The public should be educated and socialized about the importance of maintaining riparian vegetation.
The development of an effective monitoring system is necessary to evaluate the effectiveness of conservation efforts and identify problems that arise.

Limitations of the Study

This study has several limitations, including:

The use of Sentinel-2 image data may not be optimal to capture the details of riparian vegetation along the narrow river.
The analysis of vegetation structure may not be comprehensive, as it only includes measurements of seedlings, stakes, poles, trees, and non-trees.
The study only focuses on the Percut River and may not be representative of other rivers in the region.

Future Research Directions

Future research should focus on:

Developing a more comprehensive management plan for Percut Watershed (DAS) to ensure the sustainability of riparian vegetation.
Conducting a more detailed analysis of vegetation structure, including measurements of other plant species and characteristics.
Evaluating the effectiveness of conservation efforts and identifying problems that arise through the development of an effective monitoring system.

References

[1] [Reference 1]
[2] [Reference 2]
[3] [Reference 3]

Note: The references should be listed in a separate section at the end of the article.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Riparian Vegetation in the Percut River

Q: What is riparian vegetation?

A: Riparian vegetation refers to the plants and trees that grow along the banks of rivers and streams. These plants play a crucial role in maintaining the health and stability of the river ecosystem.

Q: Why is riparian vegetation important?

A: Riparian vegetation is important for several reasons:

It helps to maintain water quality by filtering out pollutants and sediments.
It provides habitat for a variety of plants and animals, including fish, birds, and mammals.
It helps to prevent erosion and landslides by holding the soil in place.
It increases the aesthetic value and natural beauty of the river.

Q: What are the main threats to riparian vegetation in the Percut River?

A: The main threats to riparian vegetation in the Percut River include:

Human activities such as deforestation, land conversion, and infrastructure development.
Soil erosion and landslides.
Changes in water flow and quality.
Lack of parent plant population.

Q: What can be done to preserve riparian vegetation in the Percut River?

A: Several actions can be taken to preserve riparian vegetation in the Percut River, including:

Planting trees and other vegetation species that are suitable for riparian areas.
Implementing sustainable watershed management practices.
Developing an effective monitoring system to track changes in riparian vegetation.
Educating the public about the importance of maintaining riparian vegetation.

Q: What are the benefits of preserving riparian vegetation in the Percut River?

A: Preserving riparian vegetation in the Percut River has several benefits, including:

Improving water quality.
Preventing erosion and landslides.
Providing habitat for a variety of plants and animals.
Increasing the aesthetic value and natural beauty of the river.

Q: What is the role of the government and local authorities in preserving riparian vegetation in the Percut River?

A: The government and local authorities have a crucial role to play in preserving riparian vegetation in the Percut River. They can:

Develop and implement policies and regulations to protect riparian vegetation.
Provide funding and resources for conservation efforts.
Educate the public about the importance of maintaining riparian vegetation.
Collaborate with other stakeholders to develop a comprehensive management plan for the Percut River.

Q: What can individuals do to help preserve riparian vegetation in the Percut River?

A: Individuals can play a significant role in preserving riparian vegetation in the Percut River by:

Planting trees and other vegetation species in their own gardens or on their own land.
Supporting conservation efforts through donations or volunteering.
Spreading awareness about the importance of maintaining riparian vegetation.
Participating in community-based conservation initiatives.

Q: What are the long-term consequences of not preserving riparian vegetation in the Percut River?

A: If riparian vegetation in the Percut River is not preserved, the long-term consequences may include:

Decreased water quality.
Increased erosion and landslides.
Loss of biodiversity.
Decreased aesthetic value and natural beauty of the river.

Q: What are the short-term consequences of not preserving riparian vegetation in the Percut River?

A: If riparian vegetation in the Percut River is not preserved, the short-term consequences may include:

Decreased vegetation density.
Increased soil erosion.
Decreased water quality.
Decreased habitat for plants and animals.

Q: What are the economic benefits of preserving riparian vegetation in the Percut River?

A: Preserving riparian vegetation in the Percut River can have several economic benefits, including:

Increased property values.
Improved tourism and recreation opportunities.
Increased economic benefits from sustainable forestry and agriculture practices.
Decreased costs associated with erosion and landslides.

Q: What are the social benefits of preserving riparian vegetation in the Percut River?

A: Preserving riparian vegetation in the Percut River can have several social benefits, including:

Improved community cohesion and social connections.
Increased sense of pride and ownership in the community.
Improved mental and physical health.
Increased opportunities for recreation and leisure activities.

Q: What are the environmental benefits of preserving riparian vegetation in the Percut River?

A: Preserving riparian vegetation in the Percut River can have several environmental benefits, including:

Improved water quality.
Increased biodiversity.
Decreased erosion and landslides.
Increased aesthetic value and natural beauty of the river.

Note: The questions and answers are based on the information provided in the previous article and are intended to provide additional information and clarification on the topic of riparian vegetation in the Percut River.