IPB Professor: Preventing Landslide by studying the Plant Architectural Model
Professor of the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (FMIPA) of Bogor Agricultural University (IPB), Prof. Dr. Dede Setiadi, studied the model of plant architecture to calculate the rate of soil erosion during the rainy season. "If we can calculate the rate of soil erosion, then we can prevent the occurrence of landslide," stated Prof. Dede during the Press Conference of PreScientific Oration at IPB Baranangsiang Campus, (19/7).
Based on some research that have been done by Prof. Dede, it can be concluded that there is a relationship between soil and water conservation with a plant architectural model. "When the rainy season begins, landslide often occurs in the areas that have a high slope. For example, the coffee plantation was washed away by landslide in Banjarnegara and Cikijing, Kuningan. The countermeasures of this environmental issue apparently need to be done, such by conserving the soil and water, especially on sloping ground. There should be an effort. We at the Biology Study Program see that the model of vegetation or plant architecture can be an effort for preventing landslide," he said.
Furthermore, Prof. Dede said that soil and water conservation is an effort to utilize the soil in accordance with its ability. "One of the parameters to measure soil conservation is by measuring soil erosion. Soil erosion can be used to measure the extent of soil damage due to rainwater," he explained.
According to him, plants have architectural models through the shape of the tree morphology such the growth pattern of a stem (straight or branched). When there is a heavy rain, some rainfall falls through the trunk, while some other go to the tree canopy. There is intercept between the canopies. After that the water fall out of the canopy. Water flow from the stem and canopy will fall to the ground and disperse the grains of surface soil. This water will flow above ground level. There is also water that will enter the soil (soil infiltration) to be soil percolation water (there is a water reservoir in the ground). But if the land is steep, water will flow as a surface flow that carries the soil particles that are dispersed by rainfall earlier.
"According to Halle et al where I have studied the tree architecture model specifically, there are 24 architectural models of trees. In my research on six models of tree architecture where each model will have a different formula, we observed whether or not these models affect the level of erosion," he said.
The research was conducted in Naga and Bantar Sari Villages which have a flat to bumpy slope condition. Naga Village is an area that strongly adheres to its local wisdom. The villagers have an income from bamboo handicrafts, thus many trees of string bamboo are cultivated in this village. "The string bamboo has a McClure architectural model which causes erosion of 3.74 tons per hectare per year. While the Troll architectural model is found in Bantar Sari Village and this model causes erosion of 10.59 tons per hectar per year. The architectural model of Gambung area in South Bandung is Massart, which causes erosion of 5.31 tons per hectare per year," he explained.
"These results proved that there is a relationship between soil and water. Tree shape affects soil and water conservation, so it is necessary to select the model of tree architecture when implementing reforestation to reduce landslide disaster, especially in slopes or areas that have high rainfall," he explained. (Zul/ZSP)
