The Influence of Climate Dynamics on The Development of Regional Landscapes

Abstract

Climate change affects various aspects of human life, including regional landscapes, which are closely related to changes in land use and a decrease in biodiversity. This research aims to understand the impact of climatic conditions on the development of the landscape of the Karangan region, East Kutai Regency, East Kalimantan Province, which experiences environmental pressure from various climatic factors and human activities. This region is also influenced by the activities of oil palm plantations and the crude palm oil (CPO) processing industry. These activities not only change land cover but also have an impact on climate change and increased greenhouse gas emissions from industrial activities, and the conversion of forest land to plantations can accelerate local climate change and impact the adaptation of ecosystems and local communities. A phenomenological approach was applied in this research, with descriptive methods and literature studies to collect climate data, including temperature, humidity, rainfall, and UV index. The research results show that in the past ten years, temperatures in the study area have stabilized at an average of 24-27.5°C, while humidity tends to remain above 80% with alarm in any given year. Rainfall has shown a decline over the last four years, which has an impact on the availability of air for the community, and the UV index in this area also shows high values, ranging between 6-9, which has the potential to affect local vegetation. It is hoped that these findings will become the basis for climate adaptation efforts and improving the quality of the environment in the region.