Moh. Fahry Djuraini, Fitryane Lihawa
Oil palm cultivation has contributed significantly to Indonesia's economic development. In regions where ecological integrity remains high, balancing agricultural growth with environmental sustainability is critical. This study aims to analyze land suitability for oil palm development and assess the associated deforestation risks within the Tojo una-una regency. A spatial analysis approach based on Geographic Information Systems (GIS) was employed, incorporating land suitability criteria from the Global Oil Palm Suitability Assessment through a scoring-based evaluation method. The analysis used multiple thematic datasets, including Digital Elevation Model (DEM), rainfall, temperature, soil type, land cover, and administrative boundaries. Results reveal that approximately 33,453 hectares of land in Tojo Una-Una Regency are classified as highly suitable for oil palm cultivation. However, a substantial portion of these suitable areas overlaps with existing forest zones, highlighting potential conflicts between agricultural expansion and conservation. Projections indicate that, without effective regulation, over 60% of forest cover in these highly suitable zones could be lost to deforestation. These findings emphasize the urgency of integrating environmental safeguards into land-use planning. To minimize ecological degradation, the study recommends prioritizing oil palm development in non-forest areas, improving spatial planning practices, and strengthening legal and institutional frameworks. By aligning land allocation policies with environmental objectives, Tojo Una-Una Regency can promote more sustainable oil palm expansion while safeguarding its remaining forest ecosystems. © Published under licence by IOP Publishing Ltd.
Program Planning and Management of Coastal Area and Watersheds, Faculty of Geography, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, 55281, Indonesia; Departement of Environmental Science, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Negeri Gorontalo, Bone Bolango, 96554, Indonesia
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