Carrying Capacity Assessment of the Wai Samal and Wai Eti Watersheds on Seram Island, Maluku Province
Abstract
This study aims to assess the carrying capacity of the Wai Samal and Wai Eti watersheds on Seram Island, Maluku Province, Indonesia, using an integrated multi-criteria approach adapted to small island conditions. A quantitative method was employed using GIS-based land-unit analysis derived from the overlay of topographic, geological, soil, and land-use maps, supported by 31 years of rainfall, hydrological, and socio-economic data. The assessment followed the Indonesian National Watershed Monitoring and Evaluation Framework (Ministerial Regulation No. P.61/Menhut-II/2014), integrating biophysical, hydrological, socio-economic, institutional, water infrastructure, and spatial planning indicators. The results showed that the Wai Samal Watershed achieved a carrying capacity index (DDD) of 78.75 (Good), whereas the Wai Eti Watershed obtained 93.25 (Moderate). The higher carrying capacity of the Wai Samal Watershed was associated with lower critical land extent, lower erosion and flood risk, lower water-use pressure, higher land availability, and stronger institutional performance. In contrast, the Wai Eti Watershed experienced greater environmental and socio-economic pressures, characterized by higher critical land extent, greater land degradation, and less favorable spatial land-use conditions, resulting in lower watershed resilience. These findings demonstrate that the integrated indicator-based assessment provides a scientific basis for identifying watershed-specific management priorities and supports adaptive watershed management and evidence-based spatial planning to enhance long-term sustainability in small island watersheds.
Keywords: watershed carrying capacity; GIS; erosion index; watershed evaluation; small island; integrated watershed management.
Full Text:
PDFReferences
Ministry of Forestry of the Republic of Indonesia. 2014. Regulation of the Minister of Forestry of the Republic of Indonesia Number: P. 61 /Menhut-II/2014 concerning Monitoring and Evaluation of River Basin Management
Yang Dawen, Yuting Yang, Jun Xia. 2021. Hydrological cycle and water resources in a changing world: A review Geography and Sustainability journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/geosus. Volume 2, Issue 2, June 2021, Pages 115-122. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geosus.2021.05.003
Basuki Tyas Mutiara Basuki, Hunggul Yudono Setio Hadi Nugroho, Yonky Indrajaya, Irfan Budi Pramono, Nunung Puji Nugroho, Agung Budi Supangat, Dewi Retna Indrawati, Endang Savitri, Nining Wahyuningrum, Purwanto, Sigit Andy Cahyono, Pamungkas Buana Putra, Rahardyan Nugroho Adi, Agung Wahyu Nugroho, Diah Auliyani, Agus Wuryanta, Heru Dwi Riyanto, Beny Harjadi, Casimerus Yudilastyantoro, Luthfi Hanindityasari, Firda Maftukhakh Hilmya Nada and Daniel Pandapotan Simarmata. 2022. Improvement of Integrated Watershed Management in Indonesia for Mitigation and Adaptation to Climate Change: A Review. Sustainability 2022, 14, 9997.https://doi.org/10.3390/su14169997. https://www.mdpi.com/journal/sustainability.
Kahirun, Nurnaningsih Hamzah, Arwan A. Rahman, Wa Ode Yusria, Nurhayati Hajar, Erich Nov Putra. 2023. Performance of Wanggu Watershed Management Based on Land Indicators.Indonesian Journal of Environmental Management and Sustainability e-ISSN:2598-6279 p-ISSN:2598-6260
Mahmud, Abdul Azis, Danang Wijaya, Wahyudi, Bambang Nugroho, Denisa Melanesia. 2023. Biophysical characteristics of the Wosi Watershed area in Manokwari Regency, Indonesia Journal of Natural Resources and Environmental Management 13(1): 88–101. http://dx.doi.org/10.29244/jpsl.13.1.88–101 E-ISSN: 2460-5824 http:// journal.ipb.ac.id/ index.php/jpsl
Brontowiyono Widodo, Adelia Anju Asmara, Raudatun Jana, Andik Yulianto, and Suphia Rahmawati. 2022. Land-Use Impact on Water Quality of the Opak Sub-Watershed, Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Sustainability 2022, 14, 4346. https://doi.org/10.3390/su14074346 https://www.mdpi.com/journal/sustainability
Syafri Syafri, Batara Surya, Ridwan Ridwan, Syamsul Bahri, Emil Salim Rasyidi, and Sudarman Sudarman. 2020. Water Quality Pollution Control and Watershed Management Based on Community Participation in Maros City, South Sulawesi, Indonesia. Sustainability. 2020, 12, 10260; doi:10.3390/su122410260. www.mdpi.com/journal/sustainability.
Cahyo Sigit Nur, La Baco Sudia, Dewi Nurhayati Yusuf. 2023. Spatial Analysis of Population Pressure on Agricultural Land in the Laeya River Basin, South Konawe Regency. Journal of Regional Planning, PPS UHO. e-ISSN: 2502 – 4205. Vol. 8., No. 1, April 2023 https://journal.uho.ac.id/index.php/jpw/index
IPBES-UNESCO. 2023. Land degradation and Polution Worsening land degradation impacts 3.2 billion people worldwide. Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services. Unesco. https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/worsening-land-degradation-impacts-32-billion-people-worldwide
UNCCD. 2019. Land Degradation, Poverty and Inequality. United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification. https://www.unccd.int/resources/publications/land-degradation-poverty-inequality
Noywuli Nicolaus, Asep Sapei, Nora H. Pandjaitan, Eriyatno. 2019. Assessment of Watershed Carrying Capacity for the Aesesa Flores Watershed Management, East Nusa Tenggara Province of Indonesia. Environment and Natural Resources Journal 2019; 17(3): 29-39.
Muta’ali Luthfi. 2011. Environmental Carrying Capacity Based On Spatial Planning. ISSN 0024-9521. IJG Vol. 43, No. 2, December 2011 (142 - 155). © 2011 Faculty of . Geography UGM and The Indonesian Geographers Association
Rizalie Akhmad, Rizmi Yunita, Syarifuddin Kadir, Akhmad R. Saidy. 2022. Environmental Carrying Capacity for Spatial Planning of Lemo Sub-Watershed, North Barito Regency, Central Kalimantan, Indonesia.Journal of Hunan University (Natural Science）Vol. 49 No. 4 April 2022. Open Access Article https://doi.org/10.55463/issn.1674-2974.49.4.8
Setyowati Dewi Liesnoor Setyowati, Satria Adji Wilaksono, Ananto Aji, Muhammad Amin. 2021.Assessment of Watershed Carrying Capacity and Land Use Change on Flood Vulnerability Areas in Semarang City. ISSN: 0852-0682, EISSN: 2460-3945. Forum Geografi, Vol 35 (2) December 2021: 141-152. DOI: 10.23917/forgeo.v35i2.15542. © Author(s) 2021. CC BY-NC-ND Attribution 4.0 License.
BPDAS Waehapu Batu Merah. 2014. Identification of the Characteristics of the Wai Samal Watershed, Central Maluku Regency, Maluku Province.
BPDAS Waehapu Batu Merah 2016. Identification of the Characteristics of the Eti Watershed, West Seram Regency, Maluku Province.
Central Maluku Regency Statistics Agency. 2020. Central Maluku Regency in Figures. Central Maluku Regency Statistics Agencyhttps://malukutengahkab.bps.go.id/ id/publication/2020/04/28/4c339b982d89e12c1f9493d5/central-maluku-kabupaten-in-figures-2020.html
Central Maluku Regency Statistics Agency 2025. Central Maluku Regency in Figures. Central Maluku Regency Statistics Agency
West Seram Regency Statistics Agency. 2020. West Seram Regency in Figures. Central Statistics Agency of West Seram Regency
West Seram Regency Statistics Agency 2025. West Seram Regency in Figures. Central Statistics Agency of West Seram Regency
BPDAS Waehapu Batu Merah.2023. Critical Land Map of Maluku Province. Waehapu Batu Merah River Basin Management Center
BPKHTL Region IX Ambon. 2014, Map of Maluku Province Regional Functions. Center for Forest Area and Environmental Management Strengthening, Region IX Ambon.
BPKHTL region IX Ambon. 2023, Land Cover Map of Maluku Province. Forest Area and Environmental Management Center Region IX Ambon.
BIG. 2021a. High-resolution 8 m DEMNAS map of Seram Island from the Indonesian Geospatial Information Agency.https://tanahair.indonesia.go.id/portal-web/login
BIG. 2021b. RBI Map of Central Maluku Regency and West Seram Regency. Indonesian Geospatial Information Agency.https://www.indonesia-geospasial.com/2020/01/shp-rbi-provinsi-maluku-perwilayah.html
Indonesia Geospatial. 2024. Geological Map of Central Maluku.https://www.indonesia-geospasial.com/2020/03/download-data-shapefile-shp-geologi-se.html.
Central Maluku Regency Government. 2010. Central Maluku Regency Spatial Planning Plan 2008-2028. https://id.scribd.com/document/535701825/BUKU-RENCANA-RTRW-2008-2028
West Seram Regency Government. 2014. West Seram Regency Spatial Planning Plan 2010-2023.https://id.scribd.com/document/409649015/Perda-Rtrw-Kab-Sbb#google_vignette
Arifin, Misnawati, Ayunda Laras Firdausa, Hyundra Zakiya Putri Wahyu, Safira, Arum Arysandi. 2025. Mapping of Land Criticality Level and Suitability Evaluation. Plants for Degraded Land Rehabilitation in the Management of the Babuat Sub-Watershed, Murung Raya Regency, Central Kalimantan. Journal of Innovation, Research and Development Results. Vol. 5 No. 2 June 2025. P-ISSN: 2809-4042. E-ISSN: 2809-4034. Online Journal System:https://jurnalp4i.com/index.php/ knowledge
Sriyana Ignatius. 2018. Evaluation of watershed carrying capacity for watershed management (a case study on Bodri watershed, Central Java, Indonesia) MATEC Web of Conferences 195, 05003 (2018) https://doi.org/10.1051/matecconf/ 201819505003 ICRMCE 2018.
Talakua Silwanus Matheus, Rafael M. Osok, Cristina M. Talakua. 2024. Analysis Of Erosion Hazard Level And Land Rehabilitation Pattern With The RUSLE Method Based On GIS At Wai Tala Watershed In West Seram Regency Maluku Province. Journal of Degraded And Mining Lands Management. Volume 11, Number 2 (January 2024):5385-5403, Doi:10.15243/Jdmlm.2024.112.5385. ISSN: 2339-076X (P); 2502-2458 (E), www.Jdmlm.Ub.Ac.Id. Open Access 5385
Talakua Silwanus Matheus, and M W Talakua. 2025. Degradation in primary forest and cultivation land in Kairatu District, West Ceram Regency, Maluku Province. IOP Conf. Series: Earth and Environmental Science 1527 (2025) 012005 IOP Publishing doi:10.1088/1755-1315/1527/1/012005
Talakua Silwanus Matheus, and R.M. Osok. 2025. Land Degradation Assessment Model Using Field Assessment And RUSLE Methods In Wai Ruhu Watershed, Ambon Island, Mollucas Province. Indonesian Journal of Geography Vol 57, No.3 (2025): 571-584. ISSN 2354-9114 (online), ISSN 0024-9521 (print). DOI: 10.22146/ijg.98955 website: htps://jurnal.ugm.ac.id/ijg. ©2025 Faculty of Geography UGM and The Indonesian Geographers Association.
Suryono Nano, Apriadi, Alawiyah, Zacky Michael Pah, Bainah Sari Dewi. 2018. Analysis of Land Cover Changes to Flow Regime Coefficients and Surface Flow Conditions (Case Study in Bulok Watershed Sub Watershed in Lampung Province). Research and Development Institute, University of Lampung.http://repository.lppm.unila.ac.id/9251/1/ shield%20nano% 20dkk.pdf
Kurniawan Aptu Andy, Sunardi, Hendarmawan, Iwan Ridwansyah. 2024. Evaluation of Watershed Carrying Capacity on Flood Management in Greater Malang, East Java, Indonesia. RGSA – Revista de Gestão Social e Ambiental ISSN: 1981-982X Submission date: 04/01/2024 Acceptance date: 05/31/2024 DOI:https://doi.org/10.24857/rgsa.v18n3-155
Ilmi Muhammad Khalis, Swahip, Ari Ramadhan Hidayat, Baiq Vina Fibriyanti. 2025. Study of Water Management Carrying Capacity as an Effort for Sustainable Watershed Management Planning (Case Study on Dodokan Watershed, NTB, Indonesia) AGGREGATE ISSN : 2541 - 0318 [Online] Vol. 10, No. 1, MAY 2025 ISSN : 2541 - 2884 [Print]
Parahita Fayra, Dwi Putro Tejo Baskoro, Darmawan. 2022. Analysis of Water Resources Carrying Capacity to Increase Water Availability in Bandung Regency, West Java.. Journal of Water Resources Vol. 18 No. 2, November, 2022: 97 – 108. DOI:https://doi.org/10.32679/jsda.v18i2.721
Fatiawan Engki, Hazairin Zubair, Syamsul Arifin Lias. 2024. The Effect of Land Use Changes on the Water Management Conditions of the Tallo River Basin (DAS).Ecosolum Journal, 13(2):179-199. DOI: 10.20956/ecosolum.v13i2.33319 P-ISSN: 2252-7923, E-ISSN: 2654-430X
Venishetty Vivek, Prem B. Parajuli, Filip To. 2023. Assessing the Effect of Spatial Variation in Soils on Sediment Loads in Yazoo RiverWatershed. Hydrology 2023, 10, 62. https://doi.org/10.3390/hydrology10030062. https://www.mdpi.com/journal/ hydrology
Ridwan, Muhammad, Joko Sarjito. 2024. Study of the Impact of Land Cover Changes on Flooding in River Basins.Enviro: Journal of Tropical Environmental Research, 26(1), 38-45. doi: https://doi.org/10.20961/enviro.v26i1.93145
Tena, T. M., A. Nguvulu, D. Mwelwa, and P. Mwaanga (2021). Assessing Water Availability and Unmet Water Demand Using the WEAP Model in the Semi-Arid Bweengwa, Kasaka and Magoye Sub-Catchments of South-ern Zambia. Journal of Environmental Protection , 12 (4); 280–295
Hidayat M. Y. 2021. Effect of population pressure on land to Manggar watershed at East Belitung Regency, Bangka Belitung Island Province, Indonesia. IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science. Sci. 909 (2021) 012013 doi:10.1088/1755-1315/909/1/012013
Abadi Musram, La Ode Nafiu, Muhammad Rezky, Hasbullah Syaf, Lukman Yunus, La Baco Sudia, La Gandri. 2024. Socio-Economic Carrying Capacity of the Poleang Watershed Area Indonesia. International Journal of Sustainable Development and Planning. Vol. 19, no. 7, July, 2024, pp. 2799-2804 https://doi.org/10.18280/ijsdp.190737
Hasmadan R, Zulkifli, Imam Suprayogi. 2019. Analysis of the carrying capacity of the Batang Kumu sub-watershed, Rambah Hilir District, Rokan Hulu Regency. ZONA Environmental Journal ISSN: 2502-6496 (Print). Volume 4, No. 2, October 2019, p. 45-5 http://zona.pelantarpress.co.id
Ikhsan Insan, Manyuk Fauzi, Sigit Sutikno. 2020. Analysis of Building Investment Value and Regional Space Utilization for the Needs of Carrying Capacity Assessment of the Rokan River Basin Area (DDD).Journal of Technology Applications (Aptek): Volume 12, No. 01, January 2020. DOI: https://doi.org/10.30606/aptek.v12i1.154
Ain Mihyal, Suria Darma Tarigan, Yayat Hidayat, Rasminto. 2025. Policy Directions and Strategies for Upper Ciliwung Watershed Management Based on Watershed Carrying Capacity. JGG-JournalGreen Growth and Environmental Management Vol. 15 No. 1 June 2025 p-ISSN: 2303-2332; e-ISSN: 2597-8020. DOI : doi.org/10.21009/jgg.121.06
Wibisono Kuntadi. 2021. Monitoring the Performance of the Bedadung Watershed, Jember Regency, East Java. Journal of Geography 18(1) (2021) 52-59.https://journal.unnes.ac.id/nju/index.php/JG. DOI 10.15294/jg.v18i1.25964
Perkasa Windy Bana Alam, Gusfan Halik, Retno Utami Agung Wiyono. 2022. Performance Evaluation of the Asem Sub-Daswatershed in Lumajang Regency. Civil Engineering Research Journal of Sebelas Maret University ISSN: 2579-7999 Vol. 5 No. 2, March 2022 141-154.DOI: https://doi.org/10.20961/jrrs.v5i2.58139
Amini Aisyah, Eri Barlian, Nurhasan Syah, Iswandi Umar, Dewi Rahmadani Siregar. 2025. Study of the Carrying Capacity of the Anai River Basin in West Sumatra Province. JPPIPA Science Education Research Journal 11(12) (2025).http://jppipa.unram.ac.id/index.php/jppipa/index. DOI: 10.29303/jppipa.v11i12. 11727
Ministry of Forestry of the Republic of Indonesia. 2025. Decree of the Minister of Forestry of the Republic of Indonesia Number: 150 of 2025 concerning Delinitation of Watershed Boundaries
Director General of Watershed Management and Social Forestry. 2013. Regulation of the Director General of Watershed Management and Social Forestry Number : P. 4/V-SET/2013 concerning Technical Guidelines for Compiling Spatial Data on Critical Land.
Ministry of Environment and Forestry of the Republic of Indonesia. 2024. Decree of the Minister of Environment and Forestry of the Republic of Indonesia Number: 398 of 2024 concerning Standards for geospatial data and thematic geospatial information within the scope of the Ministry of Environment and Forestry.
Talakua, S.M. and Osok, R.M. 2019. Development of a land degradation assessment model based on field indicators assessment and prediction methods in Wai Sari, Sub-Watershed Kairatu District, Western Seram Regency, Maluku Province, Indonesia. Science Nature 2(1):71-85,doi:10.30598/SNVol2 Iss1pp071-085year2019.
Arsyad, U., Soma, A.S., Wahyuni., Amalia, F.N. and Nurdin, P.F. 2021. Prediction of erosion using the USLE method in the Malino Sub Watershed. IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science 886:012104, doi:10.1088/1755-1315/886/1/012104.
Refbacks
- There are currently no refbacks.
