English - HCV Resource Network

threats. For example, if mercury is
considered a threat in the area, then
specific measurements can be planned.
HCV4.2 Forests critical to water catchments & erosion control
Rationale
The soil types of tropical rain forests in Indonesia are dominated by red-yellow podzolic
(acrisols), which are highly vulnerable to erosion. Further characteristics of these forests,
including high rainfall, hilly/mountainous landscapes and fast flowing streams and rivers,
also lead to levels of natural erosion. All areas suffer some degree of erosion and many
are also prone to a degree of terrain instability, but often the extent is very low and/or
the consequences minor.
Forests are important in maintaining terrain stability, to control excessive erosion which
can lead to landslides and serious siltation. Thus, most forests play an important role in
preventing flooding, controlling stream flow regulation and water quality.
Where a forest area constitutes a large proportion of a water catchment then it is able to
play a critical role in maintaining water quantity and quality. The greater the importance
of the water catchment, in terms of flooding or drought risk or water usage, the more
likely it is that the forest is critical to maintaining these services and more likely that the
forest is a HCVF. In some cases, forests protect against erosion and landslides in areas
where the consequences, in terms of loss of productive land, damage to ecosystems,
property or loss of human life, are severe. In these cases, the ecosystem service
provided by the forest is critical, and it is these that should be considered HCVs.
In Indonesia, all protected forests, DAS Super-Prioritas and DAS Prioritas areas, other
significant DAS and Sub-DAS areas designated by relevant experts, as well as cloud
forests, will be considered HCVs.
Instructions for forest managers
Identification of HCVS 4.2
Task
Identify if FMU is within the classified DAS
Super-Prioritas and DAS Prioritas, or other
important DAS and Sub-DAS areas.
Guidance
Sources of information:
• Director General Decree of
Reforestation and Land
Rehabilitation, Ministry of Forestry
RI No. 128/Kpts/V/1997 about
Criteria in Determining of DAS
Priority (Keputusan Direktur
Jenderal Reboisasi dan Rehabilitasi
Lahan No. 128/Kpts/V/1997 tentang
Kriteria Penetapan Urutan Prioritas
DAS).
• DAS Super-Prioritas and DAS
Prioritas (Menteri Kehutanaan)
tipologi map. There is a generic