The importance of riparian vegetation in maintaining spring water quality in Yeh Penet Watershed, Bali, Indonesia

The importance of riparian vegetation in maintaining spring
water quality in Yeh Penet watershed, Bali, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 25: 2051-2062. Water quality changes along with population
growth and human activities. Riparian ecosystems play an important role in maintaining water quality since riparian vegetation have a
complex root system which acts as a filter of toxic substances to not enter the spring water. This research analyzes the relationship
between riparian vegetation and water quality at five springs in the bamboo rehabilitation area of the Environment Bamboo Foundation
(YBLL) in the Yeh Penet Watershed, Bali, Indonesia. At each spring, vegetation analysis was carried out to determine the diversity and
composition of riparian vegetation, as well as water quality assessment based on bio-physiochemical parameters. The result of
vegetation analysis found that spring 1 was dominated by Equisetum hyemale, spring 2 by Diplazium esculentum, spring 3 by Digitaria
longiflora and springs 4 and 5 by Musa paradisiaca. The analysis of bio-physicochemical parameters showed that the water from the
five springs was suitable for consumption, but it needs to be heated to a temperature of ±100°C before consuming it due to the presence
of coli bacteria. Riparian vegetation diversity had a strong relationship with water quality parameters especially Biochemical Oxygen
Demand (BOD) values, Ammonia (NH3), and total coliform. Our findings confirm the importance of riparian vegetation in maintaining
water quality in water springs within a watershed.