Analysing suitability of arable land within a convertible production forest (HPK)

Abstract

Potential land resources become one basic information needed in planning agroecological system development. The purpose of this study was to analyse the suitability of arable land in a convertible production forest area (HPK) in Konawe Kepulauan Regency, Southeast Sulawesi Province. Identification of arable land types and determination of agroecological zones was using spatial analysis through SPOT satellite imagery processing and slope map overlays and soil types to determine arable land units. Existing plant species were recorded and adjusted to the direction of land use from the Agricultural Research and Development Agency. From this study, 30 units of fertile land were obtained covering an area of 12,873.69 ha and spread across six zones, namely zone I covering 182.95 ha (1.42%), II covering 3,102.10 ha (24.10%), III covering 3,125.83 ha (24.28%), IV covering 3,594.36 ha (27.92%), V covering 631.85 ha (4.91%) and VI covering 2,236.61 ha (17.37%) with the distribution of plant species in the form of natural forests, annual crop agriculture, seasonal crops, agroforestry crops and food crops. Plants in zones I, II and III in accordance with the direction of land use but Zones IV, V and VI still not suitable.