Physical of Ijen Crater
 CA/TWA Ijen crater with a total area of 2.560 hectares (ha) consist of 2.468 ha CA and 92 ha TWA, located on the border of Banyuwangi Regency and Bondowoso in East Java. Its geographical location lies 8 degree of 3¡¯ 30" south latitude and 114 degree of 14¡¯ 30" east latitude. It is bordered by the protected forest northern of Mt. Remuk and southern of Banyulinu River. On the other hand, it is also bordered by thruway western of Banyuwangi and Bondowoso and the eastern slopes of Mt. Merapi.
The climate of CA/TWA Ijen crater area is generally influenced by monsoon. It is a dry zone with annual rainfalls 1.500-3000 mm on the average and its temperatures ranging between 2¢ª-23¢ª C.
Biology
The biological diversity of CA/TWA Ijen crater is quite abundant. Its flora that have been identified were 94 species, consists of bushes, epifit, clump, trees and grass. The particular species of flora here are Eidelweiss (Anaphalis sp) and Casuarina tree (Casuarina junghuhniana). There also 2 classes of fauna that have been identified. They are 16 species of Mammals and 124 species of Aves (birds).
The particular species of Mammals found at CA/TWA is Lutung Jawa or Javanese spider monkey (Trachypithecus auratus), while the particular species of Aves is Javanese eagle (Spizaetus bartelsii) which is threatened with extinction. Social, Economy and Culture
Most of the people around CA/TWA Ijen crater become farmer, farmhand, plantation worker, sulphur miner and breeder, to seek a living. The majority of them embraced Islam, and the others are Catholic, Protestant, Hindu and Buddha. The people around CA/TWA Ijen crater are Javanese, Maduranese and Osing tribe who are rich in traditional dances, such as Sableng and Macan-macanan dances. Flora
Based on the elevated places above sea level, the type of forest at CA/TWA Ijen crater are generally divided into three. They are the rain forest of mountain, the rain forest of high mountain, and the rain forest of SubAlpin. The rain forest of mountain is generally dominated by trees from the family of Hamammelidaceae, Fagaceae, Magnoliaceae, Ericaceae, and Conoferae. This forest is divided into two, humid and tropical rain forest. They are dominated by Casuarina trees (Casuarina junghuhniana) which are spread evenly. These trees are a distinctive feature of upland stand. There are about 94 species of flora at CA/TWA Ijen crater that have been identified. They consist of bushes (29 species) grass (24 species), herb (13 species), trees (12 species), epifit (9 species) and clump (7 species). The bushes are dominated by Euphatorium and Eidelweiss with 5 m in height. Eidelweiss
Eidelweiss or often known as the eternal flower by people, is a special plant of CA/TWA Ijen crater. This pioneer plant blooms constantly even it is around the peak of crater. You can find four species of Eidelweiss at CA/TWA Ijen crater. They are Anaphalis Javanica, A. maxima, A. Viscida and Gnaphalium sp. There is also Eidelweiss with a height of 5 m and its existance is limited around the crater. Casuarina tree (Casuarina junghuhriana)
It is an indigenous plant of CA/TWA Ijen crater, growing in upland (1.800-2.700 m above sea level). It is known as a specialty flora of mountain forests. Its diameter reaches more than 1 m and its height is about 40 m. In dry season, its leaves seems like mosaics and it gets easily burn. The most population can be found around Banyupait, Cangkringan and Widodaren. Fasinium (Vaccinium varingiaefolium)
It is also known as Sentigi Gunung or Delima Montak. It is a small tree with the hard wood, usually dominated SubAlpin forest. It is only can be found around Ijen crater (2000m above sea level). Its flower is small, in dark purple colored, bell-shaped and its smell is like almond. Its flower stalk is usually in red colored. Its leaves are green (old leaves) or reddish violet (young leaves). Fauna
The variety species of fauna in CA/TWA Ijen crater area that has been identified are Mammals and Aves. The mammals consist of 16 species. Some of them are panther (Panthera pardus), alley cat (Felis bangalensis), Ajag (Cuon alpinus) Javanese black spider monkey (Trachypithecus auratus), Javanese red spider monkey (Trachypithees auratus phyrha) Squirrel (Petaurista elegan), wild boar (Sus verrucosus), antelope (Muntiacus muntjak) and civet cat (Paradoxurus hermaphroditus). On the other hand, the Aves are consists of 125 species. 21 species of them are endemic birds, such as green jungle fowl(Gallus Varius), purple-head Walik (Ptylinopus porphyreus). Javanese Cekakak (Halcyon cyanoventris) and Kipasan Bukit (Rhipidura euryura). There is also 2 species of migrating birds, Sikatan Emas (Ficedula zanthopygia) and Sikatan Bubik (Muscicapa daurica). While the Javanese eagle (Spizaetis bartelsii) are threatened with exinction. Lutung (Trachypithecus auratus)
This primate has black fur body (Javanese black spider monkey) and it is more active than the other monkeys. However it is cowardly and timidly in nature. Males lutung have a tuft on its head. Its front legs are longer than its back. It usually lives in a group on the tip of dense trees. Most of them can be found around Pondok Bunder (round hut). Javanese Eagle (Spizaetis bartelsii)
Javanese eagle is a hunter bird, endemic of Java island. It has crown crest and a very dark mustache line. Its head side and nape are brown-red. Its back and wings are dark brown. Its tail is brown with black lines. Its neck is white with black lines in the midle and the other side is whitish with dark-brown red lines. It is usually can be found around Totogan. Jungle Fowl (Gallus sp)
There can be found green jungle fowl (Gallus varius) and red jungle fowl (Gallus gallus) at Ijen crater. The first one likes to live in savannah. It can be found around Paltuding. While the red jungle fowl likes under brush as its habitat, it can be found around Banyupait. |
