Community-based adaptation for ecosystem disaster risk reduction in the Upstream Merawu Watershed, Indonesia

Abstract

Forest conversion to agricultural land in the upstream area of Merawu watershed has changes the ecosystem composition and reduced the stability. Mass erosion and landslide occurred in the upstream and increased the ecosystem vulnerability. Tamansari and Penanggungan hamlets are prone to erosion, landslides and environmental pollution from intensive farming. Potatoes, cabbage, carrots, and chili are the main commodities planted, particularly in Penanggungan hamlet. Planting on the steep slope, intensive land mechanization and high intensity of pesticide spraying caused the area to be prone to ecosystem disasters such as erosion, landslides and environmental pollution. This study aims to determine the people's perceptions of ecosystem disasters and analyse the community adaptation and mitigation strategies. Community perceptions is analysed using Mann Whitney test, while adaptation and mitigation strategies using qualitative descriptive. The results showed that the upper Merawu watershed community's perceptions varied greatly by knowledge and attitudes of the community. Knowledge is affected by the intervention of PT. Indonesia Power and Field Extension Officer. Community attitudes are influenced by the type of land use and commodities planted. Adaptation actions practiced by the community include water drainage cleaning, application of intercropping, crop rotation and agroforestry. Mitigation actions carried out by the community include the construction of drainage channels, terraces, embankments, and planting of wood plants (structural mitigation) while mitigation carried out by the government is more towards non-structural mitigation such as socialization and training, planting joint seedlings and the establishment of disaster resilient village (i.e., Destanta).