A Review of Critical Land in Areas Dominated by Volcanic Deposits to Support Local Ecosystem Rehabilitation Planning

Abstract

Volcanic-derived Lithosol soils dominate North Bogor District and are inherently susceptible to erosion due to their shallow profiles and limited capacity to retain water. Combined with increasing urban land-use pressures, these conditions contribute to land degradation and the development of potentially critical land. This study aims to assess the spatial distribution of potentially critical land and formulate ecosystem-based rehabilitation strategies for sustainable land management in North Bogor District. The assessment followed a GIS-based critical land evaluation framework adapted from the national guideline for critical land assessment. GIS overlay analysis was applied to integrate land cover, soil characteristics, and land management parameters, while erosion susceptibility was evaluated using the Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE) approach. The results indicate that potentially critical land is primarily associated with volcanic-derived Lithosol soils and areas experiencing moderate to very slight erosion hazards. These areas represent priority zones for rehabilitation because their geological characteristics increase vulnerability to ongoing land degradation. Ecosystem-based rehabilitation strategies, including the establishment of locally adapted vegetation species and the implementation of contour terracing, are recommended to reduce erosion risks, improve environmental resilience, and restore land functions. This study provides an integrated framework that links geological vulnerability, erosion susceptibility, and ecosystem-based rehabilitation for prioritizing land restoration efforts, thereby supporting sustainable land management and urban environmental planning in volcanic landscapes.