Study of interception, throughfall, and stemflow on seven types of Syzygium sp. tree collected by Purwodadi Botanical Garden

Abstract

Syzygium genus is one of the abundant and naturally growing collections of Purwodadi Botanical Garden (KRP) with characteristics of strong and deep rooting with branching and complex crowns. So it has the potential to support water and soil conservation by reducing erosion and kinetic energy of rainwater to the ground. This study aims to determine the value of interception, throughfall, and stemflow in seven types of Syzygium sp. trees in the KRP collection. The research was conducted from January to February 2023 with the method of measuring tree physical factors, collecting, and calculating rainfall data, throughfall, stemflow, and interception values. The results of the study during 25 rainy days on seven types of Syzygium sp. trees showed that the value of throughfall ranged from 10.86 - 15.30 mm with the highest on Syzygium malaccense trees with dangling branching. The stemflow value ranges from 0.04 - 0.91 mm with the highest in Syzygium acuminatisimum trees whose stems grow upright. The interception value ranged from 2.3 - 5.8 mm with the highest in Syzygium polycephalum trees whose branching away from the ground surface. The variation values obtained are influenced by the characteristics of the branching crown of each tree.