Rehabilitation Strategy for Restoration of Riverbank Protection Function in the Merawu Watershed, Banjarnegara Regency

Abstract Riverbank is a buffer zone for the river ecosystem and surrounding land. The significant land use changes cover reduction in Merawu Watershed had put pressure on riverbank threatened protection function sustainability. Thus, this study aims to 1) identify riverbank’s ecological status, 2) its Protection Carrying Capacity (PCC), 3) determine indicative location of rehabilitation, 4) develop rehabilitation strategy restoring function. Riparian Quality Index (RQI) results indicated degradation deviation from natural conditions due intensive tillage. entire PCC status was poor less dryland agriculture mixed agriculture. Three locations were prioritized, i.e., Karangkobar (54.86 ha), Kalibening (41.21 Wanayasa Sub-districts (39.31 ha). Recommended strategies constructing bunds bench terraces sloping land, implementing trees along border (hedgerow) pattern riparian strips increase cultivated lands, gully plugs retaining dams strengthen riverbanks; using organic mulch; planting recommended species ( Falcataria falcata, Artocarpus altilis, Dendrocalamus asper , Gigantochloa apus ) degraded critical lands.