Mapping of Protected Forests and Cultivated Area in North Luwu South Sulawesi, Indonesia

Background and Objective : North Luwu Regency is located in the northern part of South Sulawesi. This region continues to perform development to meet and improve the community economy. This study aims to map the protected areas, buffer and cultivated areas in North Luwu. To determine the function of the area, this study using three key variables namely topography, soil sensitivity to erosion and the amount of rainfall. Methodology: Furthermore, the spatial analysis by using tools that were used in the study were Geographic Position System (GPS) type garmin 76, a digital camera and a set of Computer Processor (PC) supported any software such as ArcGIS version 9.3 and Global Mapper. Results : The results showed that the study area is dominated by a buffer zone is more than 44.230 ha or 56.39%, cultivation zone has more than 22,000 ha or 6.28% and protected zone has more than 12,000 ha or 15.5%. therefore, obtained protected zone with total area is 2,200 ha. Conclusion : Protection zone region which is determined as the main function to protect the environment preservation including natural and artificial resources. Defending protected forest is one of efforts to maintain Green Open Space (GOS) in order to keep climate equilibrium in a region especially in North Luwu. Therefore, this study try to show overview about regional function as protected zone in this area. \udKey words : protected zone, cultivation zone, land use, North Luwu, Green Open Space (GOS), ArcGIS, \udand Global Mapper