Land cover changes for enhancing water availability in watersheds of Tanahun and Kaski, Nepal

Abstract

Land use and land cover practices play a crucial role in balancing ecosystems and maintaining water supply services, including watersheds. The main objective of the current research is to assess the land cover change (LCC) and its specific influence on water runoff in the catchment and to study specific catchment characteristics such as LCCs through the years, soil properties, and recommendations for potential vegetation. The research area is located in two main districts of Chitwan Annapurna Landscape (CHAL), in four watersheds. Soil organic carbon was measured using the dry combustion method, the land use classification was done using Geographic Information System (GIS) software and potential vegetation analysis was based on several criteria. The complex relationship between factors was evaluated to account for the effect of separate factors to determine the outcomes in the basin. The Lund–Potsdam–Jena model was used for the purpose of characterisation of the study. The clear trend of change was not observed; however, there are obvious connections between various parameters as slope, aspect, soil properties and water runoff occurring in the catchment. According to the results obtained, land use planning could consider the relationship within the catchment and factors such as soil type, peoples’ interests, etc., which are important within the catchment.

The Assessment of Hydrological Availability and the Payment for Ecosystem Services: A Pilot Study in a Brazilian Headwater Catchment

“…Throughout the period, the sub-basins functioned as an impermeable container, returning the water received by precipitation and retaining part of that water in the water storage in the dam system. The water retention capacity is influenced by several factors, among which, the forest cover, physical characteristics and geomorphological factors, topography, hydraulic works present in the basin and conservationist planting practices [26,45,47,55,67,69].…”

“…That is the unit where the land use and land cover are best managed [24][25][26][27][28]. Research studies on water availability [29][30][31][32][33][34][35] and flow distribution [36][37][38][39][40][41][42] within this unit contribute to manage water scarcity or stress, understand availability and demand, establish grants, identify environmental impacts, and even implement public policies [43][44][45][46][47][48].…”

Pengaruh Tata Guna Lahan Terhadap Hidrograf Aliran Di Sub-Sub DAS Keyang-Slahung-Tempuran Menggunakan Model SWAT

“…Perubahan tata guna lahan terjadi diakibatkan salah satunya adalah berkembangnya suatu kawasan tersebut. Tata guna lahan sangat berperan penting dalam penyeimbangan ekosistem dan ketersediaan air termasuk juga Daerah Aliran Sungai (DAS) [1]. Masing-masing tata guna lahan mempunyai karakteristik limpasan permukaan yang berbeda dalam mengendalikan air hujan yang turun.…”

Analisis Perubahan Tata Guna Lahan Terhadap Debit Banjir Sub-Sub DAS Keyang-Slahung-Tempuran (KST)

“…Keseimbangan ekosistem akan terjamin apabila kondisi hubungan timbal balik antar komponen berjalan dengan baik dan optimal (Kartodihardjo, 2008). Vegetasi mempunyai pengaruh penting dalam besarnya retensi, baik dari segi intersepsi maupun transpirasi (Thakur, Khanal, & Poudyal, 2017). Merencanakan, mempelajari, membangun dan mengelola daerah resapan air dilakukan untuk pelestarian air limpasan (Armon & Hanninen, 2016).…”