Study of Rauh Tree Architectural Model As an Effort to Conserve Water and Soil: A Case Study of Altingia excelsa Noronha and Schima wallichii (DC.) Korth in The Mount Gede Pangrango National Park

Abstract

Tree architecture model is basically tree construction as a result of meristematic growth pattern. Tree architecture is closely associated with water and soil components, i.e rainfall, throughfall, stemflow, infiltration, surface run-off, and erosion. Two sample plots of 4 m x 8 m each were established, which one plot was to measure Altingia excelsa (Rasamala) and another plot for Schima wallichii (Puspa). Total rainfall, throughfall, stemflow, infiltration, surface run-off, and erosion were measured. Correlation coefficients between rainfall with erosion, throughfall with erosion, stemflow with erosion, and surface run-off with erosion were calculated and analized. For A. excelsa, the results showed that the intensity of rainfall observed was 290.11 mm, stem flow 0.03 mm, throughfall 5.43 mm, infiltration 0.51 ml/mm2/sec, surface run-off 3.45 mm, and erosion 169,91 kg/m2/month. While for S. wallichii, the amount of rainfall was 290.11 mm, stemflow 0.04 mm, throughfall 4.02 mm, infiltration 0.49 ml/mm2/sec, surface run-off 8.18 mm, and erosion 381,27 kg/m2/month. Compared to A. excelsa, S. wallichii had larger values for some parameters measured (i.e. stemflow, surface run-off, and erosion) indicate that on more than 50% land slope of the Mount Gede Pangrango National Park, individual plants of S. wallichii seemed to be more well adapted. However, individuals of A. excelsa possessed a more spreadly branching model, larger vertical width, and higher trunk height. Consequently individual plants of A. excelsa would generally able to conserve more water and soil better than S. wallichii plants.