Audrey

Before the trip to Labrador Park , I thought that it is just like any other parks and there is nothing special about it . However after the trip , my opinion for it has changed . The trip had allowed us to see how does an actual Tropical Rainforest look like . Initially , I was not quite certain if the properties of the Tropical Rainforest that was taught ages ago , apply to any of the Tropical Rainforest . However , now I can assure that it definitely does ! The hot and wet climate enables plant growth throughout the year . Therefore , Labrador Nature Reserve has a rich variety of flora and fauna that will delight nature lovers. During the trip , I had seen several climbing plants , such as lianas . On the dark and damp forest floor , there was much leaf litter . From what I had learnt previously , leaf litter is essential in the Nutrient Cycle , which is a process that allow nutrients to return to the soil . When we were at the foot of the forest , we can clearly see the five distinct layers of the forest . This evidently proved that what we had learnt was absolutely correct !


I found out that Labrador Nature Reserve contains the only rocky sea-cliff on the main island of Singapore that is accessible to the public for recreation, education and scientific research ! When I knew that we had to get down to the beach to view the wave-cut platform and calculate the Wave Period , I was reluctant to do so as it was filled with algae and other disgusting substances . However , when I was on the beach itself , I realized that it wasn’t that bad . The only difference between the beach there and the beach in East Coast Park , is that you cannot swim there ! Unless , you intend to drown yourselves . At the wave-cut platform , we saw a notch . We were told that we would not be able to see the notch if it is high tide . Therefore , we are considered fortunate to view the notch . It was totally different experience as the notch that we used to see in textbooks and notes were just pictures . Overtime , due to erosion , the cliff will eventually collapse . It was amazing that the simple waves can cause a huge cliff to collapse . Therefore never underestimate the waves !


At the Dragon Teeth Gate , the huge cliff was expose to chemical weathering , oxidation , as it was reddish brown .
The lines of weaknesses of the rock and the humid climate increased the rate of weathering . Overtime , the cliff will eventually collapse . Therefore beware when you are walking under it !
During the trip , we saw the efforts of soil conservations and coastal protection . Example like the net , which helps to prevent the soil from eroding . The seawalls , which help to prevent coastal erosion .


In my point of view , I felt that Natural Vegetation is essential to our life . Without it , we will hardly survive as it provide us with endless supply of oxygen and played important role in various aspects . Simple things such as wasting paper , hence , resulting in further deforestation . By cutting down more trees will affect the nutrient cycle , thus , the soil will be infertile and prone to erosion . Due to the development of present world now , the demands of high living standards also increase drastically . Which means that more forest has to be cleared for infrastructure . Factories are also the culprit for deforestation and polluting of water . Land has to be cleared for it and the chemical substances released into the water will harm marine life . Therefore , I strongly believed that it’s everyone duty to conserve the park .


Although we had to walk under the scorching sun , I believed that everyone had benefited greatly . It had help to broaden my knowledge . There are many things that you can at there , such as fishing . If you are fortunate enough the catch is yours . Isn’t it interesting ? However , most importantly it’s FREE ! Been to Labrador park has given me a truly unique experience and I hope that there will be such trips in the future .