The Role of Structure Canopy of Terminalia Catappa Linn. on Light Penetration and Decreasing Ambient Temperature as Climate Change Mitigation

Abstract

Tropical almond (Terminalia catappa Linn.) is a tree that usually grows on the seashore which has a shady canopy. This tree is usually planted as an ornamental plant or a shade plant on the side of the road. The presence of the Terminalia catappa tree can provide coolness if the tree is planted in the garden or in the yard or along the roadside. This research was carried out in East Kalimantan which the sampling location were Balikpapan, Samarinda and Tenggarong City. Twenty-five trees of tropical almond were set in each city which were used as the tested samples trees. Data taken includes a) data on physical environmental characteristics (light intensity, ambient temperature and humidity) which performed under the canopy and outside canopy on each tree sample, and b) data on morphological characteristics (location, height, diameter at breast height, and shape / width of crown). The result showed that there was relationship between the volume of the tropical almond tree canopy on light penetration under and outside canopy of the tropical almond tree which indicated that there was an effect of the volume of the tropical almond tree canopy on light penetration. The light penetration will decrease along with the increase of canopy volume. There were relationships among light penetration and ambient temperature as well as relative humidity under and outside canopy of the tropical almond tree which indicated that there were the effect of light penetration on a decrease in ambient temperature and increase in relative humidity. The tropical almond tree can be used as a roadside shade tree as well as an ornamental plants in gardens or in the yard, because it can lower the ambient temperature and provide coolness.