3.1. Water regulation ecosystem services on Sulawesi Island
Sulawesi Island has 43 types of landscapes and 42 types of natural vegetation based on Ministry of Environment and Forestry Decision Number: SK.1272/MENLHK/SETJEN/PLA.3/12/2021 on the Determination of Natural Landscape and Vegetation Characteristics. From the characteristics of landscapes and natural vegetation, the most dominant are denudational mountains with mixed materials of outer igneous and pyroclastic rocks in landscapes covering 16% of the total area of Sulawesi Island and friendly forest vegetation (non dipterocarp) in natural vegetation covering 17%. Where the landscape classification has a high score (score 4) in regulating water flow, as well as the natural vegetation classification which has a very high score (score 5). This illustrates that in landscape terms, the Sulawesi Island region has high support for water regulation ecosystem services. When viewed in each province on Sulawesi Island, each province has dominant landscape characteristics and natural vegetation. Where each dominant landscape and natural vegetation characteristic (3 dominant classes) in each province has a high and very high water regulation ecosystem service score except for landscape characteristics in Central Sulawesi Province, as presented in Fig. 2.
From Fig. 2, it can be seen that landscape and natural vegetation dominantly on Sulawesi Island support high water regulation ecosystem services. However, the influence of these endogenous parameters is only 28% for landscape and 12% for natural vegetation. Meanwhile, 60% is influenced by exogenous factors, namely land cover. Based on land cover data on Sulawesi Island, the classification of forests and water bodies has a very high score (5) and high (4) to support water regulation ecosystem services, then open and built-up areas such as settlements have a very low score (1). Changes in land cover on Sulawesi Island over time affect the region's support for water regulation. This has led to many hydrological problems related to water flow management. Based on 1990 land cover data in Sulawesi Island, which describes the baseline condition, it is known that vegetated areas such as forests and shrubs amounted to 75% of the total area, while after 2006, which represents the beginning of the development era in Indonesia, it decreased by 61%, then in the existing conditions in 2022 it decreased again to 54% and was followed by an increase in agricultural land (plantations, dry land and rice fields) as well as open and built-up land, In detail, changes in land cover in each province are shown in Fig. 3.
Based on Fig. 3, it can be seen that there are changes in land cover in the three eras studied, where land cover that has a high score contribution to water regulation environmental services, which is vegetated areas, almost all provinces have decreased in area, except North Sulawesi Province, where there is an anomaly based on land cover data issued by the Ministry of Environment and Forestry where after a decrease in the 1990–2006 period of 18%, there was a 15% increase again. This could be due to poor spatial data due to the interpretation process or indeed an improvement in forest cover conditions. But overall, the area of vegetated areas has decreased, such as in Gorontalo Province which decreased by 19%, West Sulawesi by 11%, South Sulawesi by 47%, Central Sulawesi by 14% and Southeast Sulawesi by 12%.
The findings corroborate the literature on the significant effects of land cover and landscape patterns on water quality and ecosystem service delivery (Grab dkk., 2018; Lei dkk., 2021). The scores assigned to various landscapes and land cover types in Sulawesi reflect their inherent capacity for providing water regulation services, a concept supported by the theoretical underpinnings in Pechanec et al. (2019) and Twisa et al. (2020). Deforestation trends observed in Fig. 2, particularly in Central Sulawesi, echo the concerns raised by Rijal (2023) regarding high deforestation rates in the region's largest forest areas. The impacts on biodiversity and the environment from such deforestation have been highlighted by Malik et al. (2016) and Barral et al. (2020).
The findings from Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 emphasize the critical role of land cover and vegetation in maintaining water regulation ecosystem services. The decreasing trend of vegetated areas and the increase in deforestation, as observed in Central Sulawesi, could compromise the water regulation services that are vital for sustainable livelihoods and environmental stability (Pusparini dkk., 2023; Supriatna dkk., 2020). The alterations in land cover, particularly the conversion of forested areas to agricultural or urban landscapes, as indicated by the declining vegetative cover and increasing deforestation rates, have profound implications for the region's hydrology and the provision of crucial ecosystem services (Darma & Fahrunsyah, 2022; Netzer dkk., 2019).
Scientifically, these findings contribute to the broader understanding of how spatial variations in landscape and land cover influence ecosystem services. Practically, the implications are significant for policymakers and land use planners who must consider these dynamics in their efforts to maintain ecosystem services, manage water resources sustainably, and mitigate the adverse effects of land cover change. This study provides a foundation for targeted conservation strategies and underscores the need for better land management practices to protect and enhance the island's natural landscapes and vegetation that are crucial for water regulation services.
With information on landscape, natural vegetation and land cover changes from 1990, 2006 (to illustrate the era of development in Indonesia and its impact on the environment), and 2022 (to illustrate existing conditions), information was obtained that the condition of water regulation ecosystem services on Sulawesi Island in 1990 was dominantly in the high class, but in 2006 and 2022 it decreased to the dominant medium class, as presented in Table 3, Table 4 and Table 5.
Table 3
Distribution of Water Regulating Ecosystem Services in 1990
Province
|
Area per class of ecosystem services (ha)
|
Grand Total
|
Very low
|
Low
|
Medium
|
High
|
Very high
|
Gorontalo
|
445,77
|
18.984,83
|
335.064,82
|
603.179,32
|
334.677,24
|
1.292.351,98
|
West Sulawesi
|
1.574,43
|
52.161,77
|
687.517,95
|
553.944,27
|
534.982,86
|
1.830.181,28
|
South Sulawesi
|
21.687,82
|
130.716,01
|
3.185.775,58
|
1.446.611,51
|
1.440.811,37
|
6.225.602,29
|
Central Sulawesi
|
52.328,19
|
243.933,79
|
1.490.240,80
|
3.321.318,65
|
1.449.476,24
|
6.557.297,67
|
Southeast Sulawesi
|
7.736,02
|
399.933,60
|
1.408.649,56
|
1.784.449,35
|
486.373,86
|
4.087.142,40
|
North Sulawesi
|
2.127,56
|
88.431,97
|
748.713,07
|
589.090,54
|
509.541,75
|
1.937.904,89
|
Grand Total
|
85.899,79
|
934.161,97
|
7.855.961,79
|
8.298.593,65
|
4.755.863,32
|
21.930.480,52
|
Table 4
Distribution of Water Regulating Ecosystem Services in 2006
Province
|
Area per class of ecosystem services (ha)
|
Grand Total
|
Very low
|
Low
|
Medium
|
High
|
Very high
|
Gorontalo
|
343,38
|
22.968,19
|
430.087,09
|
572.253,29
|
266.700,03
|
1.292.351,98
|
West Sulawesi
|
664,02
|
92.643,20
|
971.277,57
|
687.830,42
|
77.766,07
|
1.830.181,28
|
South Sulawesi
|
8.401,00
|
137.020,33
|
3.607.025,67
|
1.942.270,41
|
530.884,88
|
6.225.602,29
|
Central Sulawesi
|
20.518,60
|
389.106,55
|
2.508.462,61
|
2.952.820,71
|
686.389,20
|
6.557.297,67
|
Southeast Sulawesi
|
13.762,83
|
506.181,10
|
1.956.591,93
|
1.511.084,55
|
99.521,99
|
4.087.142,40
|
North Sulawesi
|
1.981,90
|
98.406,94
|
900.062,53
|
639.550,26
|
297.903,25
|
1.937.904,89
|
Grand Total
|
45.671,73
|
1.246.326,31
|
10.373.507,41
|
8.305.809,64
|
1.959.165,43
|
21.930.480,52
|
Table 5
Distribution of Water Regulating Ecosystem Services in 2022
Province
|
Area per class of ecosystem services (ha)
|
Grand Total
|
Very low
|
Low
|
Medium
|
High
|
Very high
|
Gorontalo
|
1.049,07
|
64.298,37
|
494.326,06
|
491.227,75
|
241.450,74
|
1.292.351,98
|
West Sulawesi
|
1.663,92
|
75.073,92
|
946.453,89
|
733.936,31
|
73.053,24
|
1.830.181,28
|
South Sulawesi
|
34.555,90
|
358.846,97
|
3.905.855,85
|
1.575.384,53
|
350.959,05
|
6.225.602,29
|
Central Sulawesi
|
25.168,25
|
544.228,75
|
2.587.626,15
|
2.533.665,35
|
866.609,16
|
6.557.297,67
|
Southeast Sulawesi
|
32.167,58
|
601.711,85
|
1.677.149,03
|
1.329.220,27
|
446.893,66
|
4.087.142,40
|
North Sulawesi
|
3.025,05
|
84.113,73
|
643.915,88
|
963.326,89
|
243.523,35
|
1.937.904,89
|
Grand Total
|
97.629,77
|
1.728.273,59
|
10.255.326,86
|
7.626.761,09
|
2.222.489,20
|
21.930.480,52
|
Based on Table 3, Table 4 and Table 5, it can be seen that the distribution of water regulation ecosystem services in each province on Sulawesi Island varies greatly. However, consistently the areas categorized as high and very high have changed over time, this is due to changes in vegetated areas that are decreasing. It can be seen in Fig. 4 related to the changing trend of areas with high and very high ecosystem services in each province and Fig. 5 related to the spatial distribution of ecosystem service classes in each region on Sulawesi Island.
From Fig. 4 and Fig. 5, it can be seen that areas with high and very high classes experienced significant changes and were replaced by medium classes, especially in areas such as the provinces of South Sulawesi and Central Sulawesi. However, if we look in more detail, especially in the provinces of Southeast Sulawesi and North Sulawesi, there are several increases in the area of high and very high classes, especially from 2006 to 2022. The observed trends align with the broader understanding of ecosystem services as a determinant of environmental carrying capacity. Geijzendorffer et al. (2017) elucidate the direct link between biodiversity, ecosystem services, and human well-being, positing that regions with a higher caliber of ecosystem services exhibit a greater environmental carrying capacity. This decline as shown in Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 is consistent with the impact of human activities on carrying capacity as noted by Mardiana et al. (2023), suggesting that the decrease in ecosystem service levels can negatively affect the environment's ability to support life and well-being. Moreover, the shift in ecosystem service classes across Sulawesi underscores the findings of Zhang & Wang (2023), who assert that ecological carrying capacity is a critical measure of ecosystem health.
The shift from higher to medium classes of ecosystem services in Sulawesi, detailed in the provided tables and figures, has both scientific and practical implications. Scientifically, it provides empirical evidence for the hypothesis that changes in land cover, particularly deforestation and land cover changes, can lead to a measurable decrease in water regulation services—an essential component of ecosystem health and resilience. Hein et al. (2016) emphasize that ecosystems are assets that offer crucial services, and the observed trend demonstrates the need for enhanced natural capital accounting that reflects the true value of these services.
Practically, the results serve as a call to action for policymakers and land managers. The significant reduction in areas classified as high and very high in water regulation services highlights the urgency of revising land use policies and implementing sustainable practices to halt or reverse the degradation of ecosystem services. This is particularly relevant in decision-making as Karami et al. (2023) underscore the importance of ecosystem services in informed decision-making processes, suggesting that a deeper understanding and integration of these services are essential for sustaining environmental carrying capacity and, by extension, human well-being. The findings from Sulawesi thus contribute valuable insights into the ongoing global dialogue on conservation priorities, sustainable development, and environmental governance.
3.2. Trends in Changes in Water Regulating Ecosystem Services
The changes in the water regulation services of Sulawesi Island, as shown in Fig. 5, demonstrate a significant alteration in the landscape's ability to provide these vital services. From 1990 to 2006, there was a 28% reduction across the island, with Central Sulawesi contributing a 10% decrease, followed by South Sulawesi at 6%, Southeast Sulawesi at 5%, West Sulawesi at 4%, North Sulawesi at 2%, and Gorontalo at 1%. The trend continued between 2006 and 2022, with a further decrease of 19%, where South Sulawesi contributed 7%, Central Sulawesi 5%, and the remaining provinces 1% each. However, during this period, Southeast Sulawesi and Central Sulawesi saw some increases of 5% and 4%, respectively. Spatial distribution of the water regulation ecosystem service changes can be seen in Fig. 6.
According to Fig. 7, particularly part c, there is a 34% decrease in water regulation ecosystem services in Sulawesi, with Central Sulawesi accounting for an 11% decrease, South Sulawesi for 10%, and the other provinces contributing to the remainder. Such a decline in ecosystem services can lead to a decreased natural capacity of ecosystems like forests, wetlands, and soil to absorb and store rainwater, thereby increasing flood risk and frequency, as detailed in studies such as Nefilinda et al. (2023). Lohani et al. (2020) further correlate deforestation with degraded water quality and sedimentation, impacting water management services.
The observed degradation in water regulation services necessitates serious restoration and conservation efforts to prevent long-term damage to the environment and communities dependent on these water resources. The critical status of 17% of watersheds in Sulawesi, as stated by the Indonesian Ministry of Environment and Forestry Decision Number SK. 304/MENLHK/PDASHL/DAS.0/7/2018, reflects the impact of changes in ecosystem services. These findings underscore the dire need for integrated watershed management strategies that consider the provision of ecosystem services, as well as the challenges of maintaining human livelihoods and ecological stability amid declining water supplies predicted by Castro et al. (2016). Furthermore, regional analysis and management interventions as recommended by Singh et al. (2014) are critical for assessing the trade-offs for downstream areas and on-site impacts, highlighting the intricate relationship between water management practices and ecosystem service provision within watersheds.