Pasir Ris Park Mangroves

                  Covering a total of 6 hectares, stands the Pasir Ris Park Mangroves. The Mangroves are home to a diverse range of flora and fauna and thankfully, I had the opportunity to visit it.

A Crab!

                

Some of the common animal species include the crabs.


 Unfortunately, we were not able to take many photos of the crabs as they quickly scurried into the mounds and hid there as we approach.

Tree-climbing crabs

     

Are you able to spot the water monitor hiding in between the sea follies?

The giant mudskipper, another interesting specie! The mudskipper is an amphibious fish but definitely not an amphibian! "What's the difference?", well, the mudskipper is an amphibious fish as it is able to stay out of the water for long periods of time. It is not an amphibian as it has many structural adaptations fishes possess such as fins and gills

       

                                Caterpillar

Colony of red ants! Touch at your own risk!

Half-beak

There were many unique plant species in the mangroves as well.

An example is the sea folly. In a sea folly plant, there are both leaves with jagged edges and heart-shaped leaves.

The leaf of a sea hibiscus. Seems like a heart shape isn't it?

With the help of man interference, mangrove saplings are growing well in a nursery. Man do care for their environment alot.









Not really...











The mangrove forests mainly have three distinct layers, namely the inland zone, the middle zone and the coastal zones. In one day, there is a change in the tidal level about four times. Hence, it is essential for the plants to cope with the inter-tidal conditions. Some of the unique adaptations mangrove plants have are the roots adapted to the waterlogged soil and vivipary.

Rhizophora - Prop roots, anchor itself firmly in the                      muddy soil

Vivipary; Germinate while attached to the parent plant before falling into the ground and taking root.








Many countries have cleared mangroves solely for economical reasons but they have overlooked the social and environmental benefits. Did you know that mangroves can act as a buffer against storms or tsunamis? Did you know that the mangroves can act a natural treatment "plant for waste water" (Roots are able to trap waste materials and filter it while the bacteria present in the soil can break down biodegradable waste and convert it into nutrients). Did you know that mangrove forests can provide us with many resources such as food and chemicals? (Tannin, a chemical able to treat leather can be extracted from the bark of Rhizophora)


The mangroves are also home to many uniques species that cannot be found in other ecosystems. Thankfully, Singapore is making efforts to conserve the mangrove forests. However, for a rapidly developing country like Singapore, no one knows what will be done to the mangroves. Also, conserving of the mangroves can begin at the individual level:  Start signing up for afforestation programmes!

Bukit Timah Nature Reserve

"Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better. "
-Albert Einstein


I had to agree with this quote. Previously being one who is oblivious to the luscious green plants, my opinions on our green neighbours have changed after an enthralling field trip to Singapore's highest hill - Bukit Timah!

Seraya tree

One of the most important species in Bukit Timah: Seraya! It awed me with its gigantic size(Probably more than ten times taller than me!). Since Bukit Timah Nature Reserve is made out both primary and secondary forests, Seraya trees is a crucial specie as it indicates which part of Nature Reserve is a primary forest and which is not.

Another indicator of the primary forest - the rattan. The stem. The stem of the rattan is an important source for weaving furnitures and baskets.







The Mahang, inside resides colonies of ants. Both organisms have a mutual relationship as the Mahang provide the ants with shelter and food from this plant. Also, the plant benefit too as they will drive off herbivores. Such good friends, aren't they?







The Burmese fishtail palm is a common palm of the secondary forests of Bukit Timah. This plant has leaves which looks like the tail of a fish and it seems that insects such as caterpillars have infested this plant by feeding on their leaves. Ironically, it is the opposite. The jagged leaves were deliberately grown to worn of insects instead!







---> Proud to be citizen living in Tampines          
after finding out that there is tree specie(Tempinis) which have obtained its name from Tampines. ^^

Sadly, this was only taken from an information board.
The squirrel was too quick and it escaped.

Although I spotted a large variety of plant species, 
I was a little disappointed that I was not able to spot 
as many animal species. One of the animal species that
was spotted was the squirrel.


The second animal that I spotted was the long tailed macaques just before I stepped into the bus which was sending us back to VJC.

These are bunkers used by the British to store ammunition. These are sadly signs of Man's impact on the environment. This made me constantly wondered whether the trekking trails made by concrete really necessary. Though this trails were made by the government to promote both eco-tourism as well as a destination of recreation for Singaporeans, I feel that this trails on the other hand can also be damaging to the forests in long term.




After walking through the trails, Mr Shi asked us to decide whether to head back down to the foot or head to the summit. Summit was of course unanimously agreed. Not being able to control my excitement, I ran up to the summit.

I am proud to conquer the tallest hill in Singapore................. BUKIT TIMAH NATURE RESERVE!

Overall, I felt it was really a great learning experience. The field trip gave me a deeper understanding and knowledge on Singapore's natural biodiversity. On the bus back to VJC, I was pondering over the question, "If forests provide Man with so many benefits, then why does Man want to excessively clear forests?" 


The forests provide Man with materials such as timber, paper and I am sure there are still many undiscovered plant species lurking in some corners of forests with medicinal values. For a small country like Singapore, it is more the important to conserve our forests. Though Bukit Timah is currently protected, we would never know what would happen in the future especially for a rapidly developing country which face land contraint. Once forests are cleared it is all just Man's lost. 


One Chinese Proverb goes: If the weather is hot, do not blame the sun, blame yourselves(as you have cut down the trees which provide shade)" Therefore, I feel that if Man wants to obtain forests materials, they should cut down the trees at a much more sustainable rate as compared to now. This all starts at the individual level: Use both sides of your paper before throwing them!