The fieldtrip to the Labrador Nature Reserve was a fun-learning experience.
From the Aerial Tower to the Jetty to the Promenade and lastly the Dragon Teeth Gate.
We were exposed to facts we learnt in class,topics like Natural Vegetation,Weathering and Coastal Studies.
Walking down the stairs of the Aerial Tower,we get to experience the Tropical Rainforest in an equatorial climate.
Features like the five distinct layers-
the emergent,canopy,understorey,shrub,ground layers and trees which are 40-50m tall.
Leaves which are thick and leathery,smooth and waxy with downward pointing drip tips.
Smooth,thin barks and also shallow roots and buttress roots.
Unfortuantely,the forest is a secondary forest.
At the jetty,we get to experience the low tide.
We were taught how to calculate the wave period with a stopwatch and to observe the swash with white foams.
Features like the notch,wave-cut platorm,cliff.
Having a better understanding for the swash,backwash and the difference between constructive and destructive waves.
As we proceed further down to the Promenade,we also learnt about the protecting of the coast. Seawalls were built to reduce the effect of the strong waves which in turn help to prevent further erosion.
Last but not least,at the Dragon Gate teeth,we were told that the type of rock found there was granite and it would be broken down into smaller pieces due to oxidation.
We were made to observe the lines of weakness found on the rock,which would thus hasten the rate of weathering of the rock.
Also,we experienced the sea breeze which kept us comfortable despite the hot weather.
In conclusion,i feel that the trip to the Labrador Nature Reserve is worthwhile beacuse i know i have learnt quite abit.
Looking forward to further fieldtrips planned.
Tuesday, December 5, 2006
Bethany
Labrador Park was an ideal excursion to open our eyes and broaden our views on what we’ve been studying in black and white for the past few months. It was personally very enjoyable as we got to see with our own eyes the features e.g Rainforest, Sea Walls, Weathered rock. We were also able to study the characteristics of each feature we observed.
The first location at the Aerial Tower, was the Rainforest itself. I noticed the distinct layers of the Rainforest, namely the Emergent, Canopy, Understorey, Shrub and Ground Layer. I also observed the leaves had a down ward pointing drip-tip. Upon touching the leaves, I realized they were smooth and waxy, like what we studied in the notes, which allows rain water to flow off the leaf easily. This gave me first hand experience. I also noticed that environmentalist working at the reserve used curvy plastic (what’re they called?) to hold the soil firm to prevent soil erosion from occurring easily, the sloping forest floor contributed to it.
Moving on, we stood along a bridge above a wave-cut platform and a cliff, and were asked to draw a sketch of it. Not only do we study and know facts about it, but we were able to see it for ourselves. The cliff was covered in slight vegetation and the wave-cut platform had medium sized boulders aligned along the shore. I also noticed the swash, back wash and the white foam the waves brought in. It was pretty peaceful, calming and enjoyable to be there.
After that, we visited the Promenade. There we observed one of the methods we studied, used to protect coastal erosion. The Sea Wall. It was built along side the railing that separated the people and the water. Since the amount of water there is much more, the larger the fetch and then the stronger the wave power. The sea wall was built to repel the oncoming strong waves from eroding the shore too fast, by allowing the direct force of the waves onto the Sea wall itself. I thought it was interesting.
Lastly, we came to the Dragon Teeth Gate. There we were able to observe rock weathering taking place. More specifically, oxidation. The reddish-brown colour on the surface of the rock told us that iron oxide was present.. thus bringing along the colour upon weathering. There was also plants growing above the rock, which referred us to Biological Weathering, where this time plants were involved.
Lastly, we also read a small portion of the History of the Dragon Teeth Gate and its origin and meaning. Although, I really cannot remember any of it. Just that a certain man named William Farquar was one of the pioneers. I really enjoyed my time there as it opened my eyes to the beauty of it all, rather than just reading, studying and memorizing about it from sheets of paper. Thank you Ms Chee for the excursion (:
The first location at the Aerial Tower, was the Rainforest itself. I noticed the distinct layers of the Rainforest, namely the Emergent, Canopy, Understorey, Shrub and Ground Layer. I also observed the leaves had a down ward pointing drip-tip. Upon touching the leaves, I realized they were smooth and waxy, like what we studied in the notes, which allows rain water to flow off the leaf easily. This gave me first hand experience. I also noticed that environmentalist working at the reserve used curvy plastic (what’re they called?) to hold the soil firm to prevent soil erosion from occurring easily, the sloping forest floor contributed to it.
Moving on, we stood along a bridge above a wave-cut platform and a cliff, and were asked to draw a sketch of it. Not only do we study and know facts about it, but we were able to see it for ourselves. The cliff was covered in slight vegetation and the wave-cut platform had medium sized boulders aligned along the shore. I also noticed the swash, back wash and the white foam the waves brought in. It was pretty peaceful, calming and enjoyable to be there.
After that, we visited the Promenade. There we observed one of the methods we studied, used to protect coastal erosion. The Sea Wall. It was built along side the railing that separated the people and the water. Since the amount of water there is much more, the larger the fetch and then the stronger the wave power. The sea wall was built to repel the oncoming strong waves from eroding the shore too fast, by allowing the direct force of the waves onto the Sea wall itself. I thought it was interesting.
Lastly, we came to the Dragon Teeth Gate. There we were able to observe rock weathering taking place. More specifically, oxidation. The reddish-brown colour on the surface of the rock told us that iron oxide was present.. thus bringing along the colour upon weathering. There was also plants growing above the rock, which referred us to Biological Weathering, where this time plants were involved.
Lastly, we also read a small portion of the History of the Dragon Teeth Gate and its origin and meaning. Although, I really cannot remember any of it. Just that a certain man named William Farquar was one of the pioneers. I really enjoyed my time there as it opened my eyes to the beauty of it all, rather than just reading, studying and memorizing about it from sheets of paper. Thank you Ms Chee for the excursion (:
Group 4: History of Labrador Park
Labrador Park is an oasis of tranquility and natural wonder. The park offers a picturesque view of the sea. It is located along the Labrador Villa Road off Pasir Panjang Road.
Labrador was originally gazette as a nature reserve under the old Nature Reserves Ordinance. More recently, the 10ha coastal secondary vegetation and the rocky shore have been gazette as a Nature Reserve since 1 January 2002. The size of the park is 6.8ha.
Besides its rich biodiversity, the park played a significant role in the history of Singapore during World War II. Remnants of the past like the war relics, tunnels and a fort enable visitors to have an interactive experience of the military of the British rule during the era. These war relics are now surrounded by natural forest.
The rock is believed to have helped Cheng Ho navigate waters around Singapore
A rock that China's most feted explorer, Admiral Cheng Ho (Zheng he), might have used while navigating through Singapore's waters will be re-created to mark the 600th anniversary of his first voyage.
Popularly called Long Ya Men or Dragon's Tooth Gate because of its shape, the landmark, just off what is Labrador Park today, helped steer ships through Keppel Harbour until the British destroyed it in the mid-19th century to widen the channel.
In July, a replica of Long Ya Men at Labrador Park, off Pasir Panjang Road, will be put up by the Singapore Tourism Board (STB), the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) and the National Parks Board.
Signboard telling Cheng Ho's story will also be put up at the park.
The 6m-high reconstructed rock, made of stone similar to the original, will take the place of the Berlayar Beacon, which was put up wafter World War II, and will remain a permanent feature at the park.
The removal of the beacon for the reconstruction of Long Ya Men will not affect safety as there are other aids to navigation in the area, said an MPA spokesman.
The re-creation of the Long Ya Men is a part of the three-month-long celebration here, beginning in July, of Cheng Ho's journeys.
"Singapore's port is very well known but there is nothing to showcase our maritime achievements, both to the locals as well as tourists," said STB's assistant director for culture and heritage, Ms Goh Kershing. "Cheng Ho's anniversary gave us an opportunity to highlight this heritage."
The Maritime Museum on Sentosa, which used to serve this role, was closed in 2002. The admiral's records of his epic travels show that Singpaore has always been one of the greatest ports in the world, said the secretary of the Friends of Admiral Zheng He Society, Mr Chung Chee Kit. The society, started in 2003 by fans of the ancient navigator, has about 40 members. The Ming dynasty eunuch explorer's maiden voyage lasted about two years and took him to Vietnam, Jave, Malacca, Sri Lanka and India. "I'm glad we are celebrating his anniversary in a big way", Mr Chung said.
Cheng Ho, who is reported to have died not long after his last voyage (believed to be to Thailand and Malacca), made seven voyages between 1405 and 1433 venturing as far as the South Pacific, the Indian Ocean, the Persian Gulf and even Africa -- decaded before Spaniard Christopher Columbus went in search of a sea route to Asia.
He travelled with up to 300 junks and 27,000 men at a time. Although there is no record of Cheng Ho setting foot on Singapore's shores, a dotted line in his navigational map, believed to be one of the routes he took, passes through Pedra Branca, an island east of Singapore, and the Long Ya Men. Very few artefacts of his expeditions are left as they were destroyed when China adopted an isolationist policy.
Ms Stella Kon, author of the famed play about a Peranakan matriach, Emily of Emerald Hill, was so stirred by the purge that she wrote a play called "Dragon's Tooth Gate" in 1985 about the anger felt by one of Cheng Ho's associates at the incident. She said of the re-created monument: "It is wonderful that the explorer is finally recognised.”
Labrador was originally gazette as a nature reserve under the old Nature Reserves Ordinance. More recently, the 10ha coastal secondary vegetation and the rocky shore have been gazette as a Nature Reserve since 1 January 2002. The size of the park is 6.8ha.
Besides its rich biodiversity, the park played a significant role in the history of Singapore during World War II. Remnants of the past like the war relics, tunnels and a fort enable visitors to have an interactive experience of the military of the British rule during the era. These war relics are now surrounded by natural forest.
The rock is believed to have helped Cheng Ho navigate waters around Singapore
A rock that China's most feted explorer, Admiral Cheng Ho (Zheng he), might have used while navigating through Singapore's waters will be re-created to mark the 600th anniversary of his first voyage.
Popularly called Long Ya Men or Dragon's Tooth Gate because of its shape, the landmark, just off what is Labrador Park today, helped steer ships through Keppel Harbour until the British destroyed it in the mid-19th century to widen the channel.
In July, a replica of Long Ya Men at Labrador Park, off Pasir Panjang Road, will be put up by the Singapore Tourism Board (STB), the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) and the National Parks Board.
Signboard telling Cheng Ho's story will also be put up at the park.
The 6m-high reconstructed rock, made of stone similar to the original, will take the place of the Berlayar Beacon, which was put up wafter World War II, and will remain a permanent feature at the park.
The removal of the beacon for the reconstruction of Long Ya Men will not affect safety as there are other aids to navigation in the area, said an MPA spokesman.
The re-creation of the Long Ya Men is a part of the three-month-long celebration here, beginning in July, of Cheng Ho's journeys.
"Singapore's port is very well known but there is nothing to showcase our maritime achievements, both to the locals as well as tourists," said STB's assistant director for culture and heritage, Ms Goh Kershing. "Cheng Ho's anniversary gave us an opportunity to highlight this heritage."
The Maritime Museum on Sentosa, which used to serve this role, was closed in 2002. The admiral's records of his epic travels show that Singpaore has always been one of the greatest ports in the world, said the secretary of the Friends of Admiral Zheng He Society, Mr Chung Chee Kit. The society, started in 2003 by fans of the ancient navigator, has about 40 members. The Ming dynasty eunuch explorer's maiden voyage lasted about two years and took him to Vietnam, Jave, Malacca, Sri Lanka and India. "I'm glad we are celebrating his anniversary in a big way", Mr Chung said.
Cheng Ho, who is reported to have died not long after his last voyage (believed to be to Thailand and Malacca), made seven voyages between 1405 and 1433 venturing as far as the South Pacific, the Indian Ocean, the Persian Gulf and even Africa -- decaded before Spaniard Christopher Columbus went in search of a sea route to Asia.
He travelled with up to 300 junks and 27,000 men at a time. Although there is no record of Cheng Ho setting foot on Singapore's shores, a dotted line in his navigational map, believed to be one of the routes he took, passes through Pedra Branca, an island east of Singapore, and the Long Ya Men. Very few artefacts of his expeditions are left as they were destroyed when China adopted an isolationist policy.
Ms Stella Kon, author of the famed play about a Peranakan matriach, Emily of Emerald Hill, was so stirred by the purge that she wrote a play called "Dragon's Tooth Gate" in 1985 about the anger felt by one of Cheng Ho's associates at the incident. She said of the re-created monument: "It is wonderful that the explorer is finally recognised.”
Monday, December 4, 2006
Eddie
During the field trip, I witness how geography can form our natural environment. Being at the nature reserve also allowed me to review the reserve and it’s history. Finally, going for the field trip also gives me a chance to review my chapters on Natural Vegetation, Coastal Studies and Weathering and allow me to better understand the chapters.
At the first station, Aerial Tower, we were able to see how does a tropical rainforest looks like in real life instead of the diagrams that we see in the textbooks.
The second station, Rocky Beach, we were able to see how waves shape our coast. during the time we reach the beach, it was the low tide period and we were able to see a notch in the cliff which was formed due to erosion done by the waves.
Along the third station, The Promenade, we were able to see how the coasts are protected against wave erosion. Seawalls are built along the coast where there is strong swash to prevent the materials along the coast to be carried away by the strong swash.
Finally at the fourth station, Dragon Teeth Gate, we were able to see how weathering can shape rocks and change their appearance like oxidation which turns the rocks, containing iron, reddish brown. Also we are able to see that chemical weathering is more dominant in tropical regions as there are little presence of physical weathering. All in all, this field trip made me realize that geography is all around us.
At the first station, Aerial Tower, we were able to see how does a tropical rainforest looks like in real life instead of the diagrams that we see in the textbooks.
The second station, Rocky Beach, we were able to see how waves shape our coast. during the time we reach the beach, it was the low tide period and we were able to see a notch in the cliff which was formed due to erosion done by the waves.
Along the third station, The Promenade, we were able to see how the coasts are protected against wave erosion. Seawalls are built along the coast where there is strong swash to prevent the materials along the coast to be carried away by the strong swash.
Finally at the fourth station, Dragon Teeth Gate, we were able to see how weathering can shape rocks and change their appearance like oxidation which turns the rocks, containing iron, reddish brown. Also we are able to see that chemical weathering is more dominant in tropical regions as there are little presence of physical weathering. All in all, this field trip made me realize that geography is all around us.
kuankoon
After going to Labrador Nature Reserve, I think I know better about coastal studies. Actually, fieldtrip learning is more fun. At Labrador, I see the things that I learn form the notes. With 3D images, it is less boring compared to 2D which is 'liveless'. What i learn in geography actually relate to mother earth. I also know how to calculate wave periods. I saw the swash with white foams. The trip started from the top of Labrador and along the stairs i saw the tree layers. I recap about natural vegetation. On the beach with rocks I see the cliff and wave cut platform. I also saw seawalls. There are many things to explore at Labrador and the view of the surrounding is nice. Hope that there is more fieldtrips next time so everyone can have more fun and play when learning.
Copyright Laws
Dear all,
Please ensure that you credit the sources from which you've extracted photographs/ pictures etc (e.g. website address), excluding those which you've taken using your own cameras.
Groups 2 & 3, appreciate that you've completed your work. Do, however, make the necessary amendments by providing the relevant information. Thanks!
Please ensure that you credit the sources from which you've extracted photographs/ pictures etc (e.g. website address), excluding those which you've taken using your own cameras.
Groups 2 & 3, appreciate that you've completed your work. Do, however, make the necessary amendments by providing the relevant information. Thanks!
Sunday, December 3, 2006
Group1 - Location1 : Natural Vegetation
GEOGRAPHY
LABRADOR PARK FIELDTRIP 2006
LABRADOR PARK FIELDTRIP 2006
The Labrador Park Fieldtrip is our second trip of the year. The main purpose of having this trip is to step out of the classroom and take a look on the features of rainforest, coast studies, as well as weatherings. The main focus of our group is on the Natural Vegetation. The main intention of having this field trip was to allowed us to see how does a real Tropical Rainforest looks like , rather than viewing it blankly in the textbooks or notes .
Introduction of the Tropical Rainforest
Tropical Rainforest are found mainly around the area of the Equator, where it experience equatorial climate all year round. Tropical rainforest are abundant in parts of Central and South America, Central Africa and parts of Southeast Asia eg. Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines and so on.
Tropical rainforests around the world are quite diverse, but share several defining characteristics including climate, precipitation, canopy structure, complex symbiotic relationships, and different kinds of species. The tropical rainforest is able to grow under optimal growing conditions like abundant precipitation and year round warmth. There is no annual rhythm to the forest; rather each species has evolved its own flowering and fruiting seasons. Sunlight is a major limiting factor. A variety of way to be seen in order to reach light and to adapt to the low intensity of light beneath the canopy.
Structure of the Tropical Rainforest
Tropical Rainforest are found mainly around the area of the Equator, where it experience equatorial climate all year round. Tropical rainforest are abundant in parts of Central and South America, Central Africa and parts of Southeast Asia eg. Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines and so on.
Tropical rainforests around the world are quite diverse, but share several defining characteristics including climate, precipitation, canopy structure, complex symbiotic relationships, and different kinds of species. The tropical rainforest is able to grow under optimal growing conditions like abundant precipitation and year round warmth. There is no annual rhythm to the forest; rather each species has evolved its own flowering and fruiting seasons. Sunlight is a major limiting factor. A variety of way to be seen in order to reach light and to adapt to the low intensity of light beneath the canopy.
Structure of the Tropical Rainforest
The Tropical Rainforest is made up of five various distinct layers. They are the Emergent, Canopy, Understorey, Shrub and Ground Layers
The Emergent layer - Widely spaced trees 40 to 50 meters tall and with umbrella-shaped canopies extend above the general canopy of the forest. They are often large with straight trunks, supported by a system of shallow, wide speading buttress roots.
The Emergent layer - Widely spaced trees 40 to 50 meters tall and with umbrella-shaped canopies extend above the general canopy of the forest. They are often large with straight trunks, supported by a system of shallow, wide speading buttress roots.
The Canopy layer- A closed canopy of 30 meters trees. Light is readily available at the top of this layer, but greatly reduced below it. Therefore, the closed canopy grows so close that its crowns appear to interlock, forming a continuous canopy. This actually helps to shuts off most of the sunlight from the forest floor.
The Understorey layer – Small slender trees which grow to a height of between 10 to 30 meters. There is little air movement in this zone and consequently humidity is constantly high.
The Shrub layer - Less than 3 percent of the light intercepted at the top of the forest canopy passes to this layer. Arrested growth is characteristic of young trees capable of a rapid surge of growth when a gap in canopy above them opens.
The Ground layer - Sparse plant growth. Less than 1 percent of the light that strikes the top of the forest penetrates to the forest floor. In such darkness few green plants grow. Only plants like ferns mosses, fungi, which does not need many sunlight will grow in that layer. Moisture is also reduced by the canopy above: one third of the precipitation is intercepted before it reaches the ground.
Other than seeing the distinct layer of the Tropical Rainforest, we also are able to see the various Typical of Rainforest plants, found in both Canopy and Understorey layer. They are the Epiphytes, Lianas and Climbers.
Epiphytes - The so-called air plants grow on branches high in the trees, using the limbs merely for support and extracting moisture from the air and trapping the constant leaf-fall and wind-blown dust. Bromeliads (pineapple family) are especially abundant in the neotropics; the orchid family is widely distributed in all three formations of the tropical rainforest. As demonstration of the relative aridity of exposed branches in the high canopy, epiphytic cacti also occur in the Americas.
Lianas - Woody vines grow rapidly up the tree trunks when there is a temporary gap in the canopy and flower and fruit in the tree tops of the understorey and canopy layers.
Climbers - Green-stemmed plants such as philodendron that remain in the understory. Many climbers, including the ancestors of the domesticated yams (Africa) and sweet potatoes (South America), store nutrients in roots and tubers.
Characteristics of the Tropical Rainforest
The Tropical Rainforest has different characteristics to adapt to the changes of the Equatorial Climate. The following below shows the different kinds of the characteristics that enable the Forest to continue to grow.
Buttresses roots are roots which have broad, woody flanges at the base of the trunk. Believed to help support the tree other than that buttresses channel stem flow and it’s dissolved nutrients to the roots.
Broad leaves are common among trees of the Emergent layer. Young individuals of trees destined for the canopy and understorey layers may also have large trees. When the reach the canopy new leaves will be smaller. The large leaf surface helps intercept light in the sun-dappled lower strata of the forest.
Downward Dripping tips leaves are facilitate drainage of precipitation off the leaf to promote transpiration. They occur in the lower layers and among the saplings of species of the emergent layer.
Comparing Tropical Rainforest to the other Forests
In drier, temperate deciduous forests a thick bark helps to limit moisture evaporation from the tree's trunk. Since this is not a concern in the high humidity of tropical rainforests, most trees have a thin, smooth bark. The smoothness of the bark may also make it difficult for other plants to grow.
Why Is There A Need To Conserve The Tropical Rainforest?
Tropical Rainforest is known as one of the world’s richest ecosystems, therefore it also provide many resources like woods to burn fires, papers, furniture- making, ropes and are also used in construction industries. Other than woods, the Tropical Rainforest include resins, which provide natural dyes. Plants which contains spices, also local fruits like berry and mangoes. There are also medically valuable plant species.
Nowadays, rainforest have been seriously depleted by the increasing land being used for commercial, recreational and industrial uses .Tropical rainforest trees and plants also remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and store it in their roots, stems, leaves, and branches. Imagine , if the rainforest were to become extinct due to human actions , there will be lesser plants to recycle the air , thus , we will have to breathe in most of the carbon dioxide ! Scary isn't it ?
Therefore , conserving Tropical rainforest is certainly important and neccessary ! Whenever you want to waste any natural resources , stop and think of the dreadful consequences
Soil Conversation
There are many different kinds of soil conversation to prevent soil erosion, such as putting net, placing the tiles to prevent soil erosion . At the Labrador Park, we are able to observe several kinds of soil conversation, which were shown above. The kinds of conservation were man-made . However , these are not the best resolution as they may actually cost a bomb if the government wanted to build a lot of it. Therefore , these kind of man-made conservation are only affordable to the developed countries like Singapore. For developing countries like India, they will have to plant a lot more trees, as the roots help to stabilize and hold the soil together on slopes to prevent erosion. Futhermore , it's much more cheaper planting more trees ,instead of constructing the man-made soil conservation.
Why Is There A Need Of Having Soil Conservation?
There is a need to have soil conversation in the Tropical Rainforest is to prevent soil erosion. Especially in the Countries which experience hot and wet climate all year round. Countries like India, which may experience flooding due to prevailing monsoon. Therefore by having soil conversation, it helps to prevent loss of soil fertility (nutrient cycle and soil leaching), preventing increasing in water pollution and flooding, increase in greenhouse effect and loss of plant and animal species.
Nature slowly wears away land, but human activities such as construction increase the rate of erosion 200, even 2,000 times that amount. When we remove vegetation or other objects that hold soil in place, we expose it to the action of wind and water and increase its chances of eroding.
With all the contributiing factors, the enitire Tropical Rainforest’s habitat will gradually be destroyed , if the worst come to worst, it may lead to greenhouse effects and changes in Global Climate , which may result in global warming . Infertile of soil can also lead to extinction of trees .
Nature slowly wears away land, but human activities such as construction increase the rate of erosion 200, even 2,000 times that amount. When we remove vegetation or other objects that hold soil in place, we expose it to the action of wind and water and increase its chances of eroding.
With all the contributiing factors, the enitire Tropical Rainforest’s habitat will gradually be destroyed , if the worst come to worst, it may lead to greenhouse effects and changes in Global Climate , which may result in global warming . Infertile of soil can also lead to extinction of trees .
Sources:Secondary 3 Geography Textbook
Pictures taken by Group Members at Labrador Park
www.yahoo.com
www.stagsleapwinery.com/art/2002_fall/Geology.pdf
www.yahoo.com
www.stagsleapwinery.com/art/2002_fall/Geology.pdf
Done by :
Chng Pei Sze
Chua Mei Qi
Goh Pan Hui
Ho Yenn Ting
Ann Lee
Chan Li Zhong
Chia Kuan Koon
Eric Ng
Eddie Koh
of sec3B'06
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