Characterizing and managing erosion sensitivity in the Jompi watershed, South East Sulawesi, Indonesia

Soil erosion is a major environmental issue in watershed areas, particularly those experiencing land use changes, such as the Jompi watershed in Muna Regency, where forest conversion to agriculture, settlements, and open land accelerates erosion.Analyzing erosion sensitivity is crucial for identifying high-risk areas, guiding sustainable land management, and supporting soil and water conservation efforts to prevent land degradation and ensure agricultural productivity and ecological stability.The study was conducted in the Jompi watershed, Muna Regency, with the aim of analyzing erosion sensitivity in the Jompi watershed area.The research employed a combination of field surveys and laboratory analysis, supported by a land unit approach.Land units were created by overlaying slope maps, land use maps, and soil type maps using geographic information systems (GIS).The final determination of the number of Land units was based on ensuring uniform characteristics and excluding units that did not meet the required map accuracy scale.The results indicated that erosion sensitivity in the Jompi watershed ranged from very low to very high, with most of the area classified as having very low erosion sensitivity.Effective management of erosion sensitivity can be achieved through vegetation management, land use regulation, and soil quality improvement.