Benefit and perceptions of people towards karst in Pangkep District, South Sulawesi

Abstract

Karst is very important because it has unique potential, diverse resource and has many benefits. Karst has a role in climate change, related to the provision of water resources and absorption of atmospheric carbon dioxide. For some people around karst, the benefits of karst are still unrecognized. This research aims to know the benefits of karst, level of perception and relationship of perceptions with the respondent characteristics to karst as water storage in Pangkep District. Data are collected by field observations, interviews, questionnaires and literature studies. Data are analyzed implementing descriptive analysis, Chi-Square, and Coefficients Correlation. The results of community perception show that karst function as a store of water (60%), tourism (10%), windbreaks (10%), land for farming (5%), mining (3%), microclimate regulators (3%) and others (9%). The level of public perception towards karst as water storage is moderate. There is a relationship between people's perceptions and their level of formal and informal education, water-sources uses and gender. The relationship between perceptions and the level of informal education is the strongest with a medium category. To improve perceptions of karst function, socialization is needed about the importance of maintaining karst existence for the community.