Soil degradation identification and the effects of land use factor on soil degradation in primary forest and cultivation land in Kairatu District, West Ceram Regency, Maluku Province

Abstract The results showed that the average soil degradation in cultivation land was 809,55 t/ha/yr higher than in primary forests at 1,69 t/ha/yr. Indicators of soil degradation in cultivated dryland are pedestals, root plant exposure, rills, and material against a barrier, while in the primary forest are pedestals and tree root exposure. Individually, the extent of land use, the density of upper vegetation, and the density of lower vegetation significantly affect the soil degradation in cultivation land and primary forests. Simultaneously, the extent of land use, the density of upper vegetation, and the density of lower vegetation significantly affect the soil degradation in cultivation land and primary forest. The factors that have the most significant effect on soil degradation in cultivation dryland are the extent of land use, while in the primary forest is the density of upper vegetation.