The role of bulu (Ficus elasticus) as an effort for soil and water conservation in Bulupitu Forest, Kebumen, Central Java

Abstract

Abstract. Hidayati AN, Syahbudin A, Adriyanti DT, Anam AA, Salima D. 2019. The role of Bulu (Ficus elasticus) as an effort to conserve soil and water in Bulupitu Forest, Kebumen, Central Java. Pros Sem Nas Masy Biodiv Indon 5: 66-70. Unwise management of natural resources causes ecosystem imbalances. In addition to maintaining sustainability, captivity of species also functions to maintain the quality of the environment, especially soil and water conservation. Research aims to determine the urgency of bulu (Ficus elasticus) captivity as an effort to conserve soil and water in Bulupitu Forest. Bulu are native plants of Bulupitu Forest that are important in soil and water conservation. The study was conducted in Bulupitu Forest, Kebumen, Central Java. The research data obtained through inventory using the method of systematic sampling with random start with a plots of nested sampling based on vegetation growth rate. Data were analyzed using vegetation analysis and vegetation diversity index. The results showed that the composition of the tree species that dominated the Bulupitu Forest at the seedling level was Mallotus blumeanus, INP 54,95; Myristica affinis, INP 53,93; pole level Myristica affinis, INP 70,16; and the level of the Dracontomelon dao tree, INP 61,72. The variety of Bulupitu forest tree species is low, respectively in seedlings, poles, stakes and trees as follows 0,629; 0,831; 0,122; and 0,892. It can be concluded that bulu are not dominate in Bulupitu Forest. Bulu are potentially vulnerable to being lost from their habitat, due to unsuccessful natural regeneration. Therefore, captivity is needed to maintain its sustainability and maintain the function of soil and water conservation so that the balance of the Bulupitu Forest ecosystem is maintained.