Current Landscape Transformation and Rural Water Supply

160 Sekretariat Perizinan Penelitian Asing Kementerian Riset dan Teknologi DIREKTORI PENELITIAN ASING DI INDONESIA 2013

99. Current Landscape Transformation and Rural Water Supply

Tujuan Penelitian : Meneliti bagaimana perubahan lanskap yang terjadi mempengaruhi siklus ekosistem air lokal dan kehidupan masyarakat lokal Bidang Penelitian : Ekologi Daerah Penelitian : Jambi TN Bukit Duabelas, Hutan Hujan Harapan Lama Penelitian : 6 enam bulan mulai 29 April 2013 Mitra Kerja : Fakultas Ekologi Manusia IPB Prof. Endriatmo Soetarto, Dr. Soeryo Adiwibowo, Universitas Jambi Dr. Rosyani Abstrak Preliminary results of my ield research show that according to peoples perception landscape transformation has altered the ecosystems water cycle in several diferent aspects. Main observations were that landscape transformation, in speciic deforestation, altered the stream low of rivers with higher water levels during rainy season and lower water levels during dry season. People also noted that their wells run dry faster in dry season than around 20 years ago. Erosion during rainy season leads to high sediment load in water in the wells after heavy rain. Additionally to these impacts the fast population growth which occurred during the same time phase has led to signiicant changes in water quality. The lack of waste management and waste water treatment declined water quality of surface waters near settlements. These changes impact the peoples livelihoods in diferent ways. If wells run dry people need to get their water from other water resources. During strong droughts water from wells is apparently not enough for the whole population, those that do not have access to good wells have to collect water from nearby rivers or other water resources. This increases the importance of inancial capital e.g. motorbike or car to get water and social capital e.g. friends with a car that bring water for them. As research was only conducted in a small area, the continuation of research on water supply in other villages should be encouraged to compare results on a more regional level. Furthermore the problem of wells running dry in dry season is a matter of diferent factors that cannot be fully understood from social research 161 Sekretariat Perizinan Penelitian Asing Kementerian Riset dan Teknologi DIREKTORI PENELITIAN ASING DI INDONESIA 2013 perspective alone. Local geological, pedological and topographic characteristics are important factors determining how land use change can afect the water cycle. Thus research in these areas should be conducted to fully understand why certain villages are impacted more severely than others and to ind adequate solutions to improve the water supply of the villages.

99.1 Ms. Jennifer Merten