Impacts of deforestation and oil palm plantation on the runoff-processes in humid tropical Sumatra, Indonesia
PI: Dr. T. Sayama
Funded by Kaken [website]
The impact of deforestation on floods in humid tropics is far from being understood due to a lack of observation regarding the rainfall-runoff processes. Our team’s initial field survey casts a research puzzle: Why are groundwater responses significant despite the hillslope being characterized by a thick clayey soil layer, which is typically highly impermeable?
To solve the puzzle, I investigated soil properties and runoff characteristics in a forested hillslope in Sumatra, Indonesia. I analyzed groundwater and soil moisture records, conducted soil experiments, and simulated the vertical infiltration.