Effects of Riparian Landuse Practices on Water Environment in West Java, Indonesia

摘要

Agricultural and residential activities are key diffuse sources of pollution in urban-rural fringe areas. Riparian land use activities within the Upper Ciliwung Watershed in West Java, Indonesia are investigated to examine the role of paddy fields as buffer zone ecotones. A comparison of different land uses along the both sides of stream and their impact on the stream water quality provided evidence that riparian paddy fields are useful in controlling the nutrient flow into the streams. It was found that closed water bodies such as lakes within the watershed also acts as nutrient trap and the management of riparian area surrounding them offer a strategy to deal with water quality problems transferring from one water management area to other. Even though, no linear relationship is appropriated between source and effect because of spatial lag and variability, the sources are closely related to riparian land use activities. Knowledge on complex interacting factors such as type of pollutant, riparian soil characteristics, hydrologic connection between the source and riparian buffer need to be completed for making best professional judgments at watershed level. Factors related to the establishment and sustainability of riparian zone vegetation as eco-tones are discussed.