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Ecological risk assessment of agricultural practices in Loes watershed, Timor-Leste
Dissertation Abstract:
Sixty-six percent of the population in Timor-Leste engaged in subsistence agriculture. Many of them practiced slash-and-burn, shifting cultivation, and open grazing. The practices are degrading the entire ecosystem and worsening their functions in Loes watershed. Therefore, this study was conducted from January to March 2024 in the Loes watershed with aims to assess the ecological risk based on dynamic soil health and socioeconomic indicators for the agro-socio-ecological risk determination.
The study used both quantitative and qualitative methods. The quantitative method was used to assess, measure, and analyze the biophysical and chemical properties of soil, runoff, soil erosion, and land suitability for agriculture. The quantitative method was also used to analyze the socioeconomic profile of farmers. In contrast, the qualitative method was used to explore opinions and experiences regarding agricultural practices and their risks from the local leaders, agricultural extension workers and officers, and farmers through focus group discussion (FGD). One hundred thirty-four soil samples were collected from slash-and-burn, open grazing, shifting cultivation, local conservation, and forest areas. Two hundred thirty-four households were interviewed. Three FGDs were conducted in Liquica, Ermera, and Bobonaro municipalities, with 15 people from different institutions (municipality officers, farmer group leaders, and local NGOs) in Loes watershed.
The soil biophysical parameters were analyzed in the soil laboratory of the Faculty of Agriculture, UNTL. The soil infiltration measurement was performed in 134 points in the field. Soil group in the watershed was obtained from FAO soil data, while soil texture was obtained from the ISRIC soil data hub. The soil group and soil texture were analyzed for the whole watershed area. Moreover, soil erosion was estimated by using universal soil loss estimation (USLE). Likewise, the runoff was estimated by using the soil conservation service - curve number (SCS-CN) method. Furthermore, the soil chemical parameters (pH, SOM, total N, P, K) were analyzed in the laboratory of Soil, Plant, and Water at "Balai Standarisasi Instrumen Pertanian, Nusa Tengara Barat (BSIP NTB), Mataram, Indonesia".
The socioeconomic data which included gender, age, educational attainment, income, household size, and duration of farming were analyzed. In addition, the empirical data on crop and livestock production, farmers' perceptions of the ecological risk agriculture and conservation policies awareness, cultural influences on farm planning, willingness to be advised, and adopting conservation practices were also included in the study. Two software programs, SPSS and QGIS, were used to analyze the data.
The results indicated that the biophysical condition is at moderate risk with a risk index of 1.7 (soil bulk density, infiltration, texture, soil type, SOM, total nitrogen, total potassium, soil pH) In addition, LULCC, erosion, runoff, and agricultural suitability were at moderate risk (1.5). The socioeconomic conditions, such as age, income, education, family size, and policy awareness were also at moderate risk (2.07). Thus, the agro-socioecological risk of the Loes watershed index was 1.8 (moderate).
The study concluded that most farmers perceived their poor practices did not cause crop and livestock production decline. Instead they considered it as a natural process. Thus, the agricultural ecological risk fell into a moderate risk level. The study recommends integrating the income generation base for conservation practices in the local context.