Saturday, 30 April 2011
"What can i do to help conservation efforts in Singapore?"
Through these outdoor fieldtrip, i have seen the vulnerability of nature is to human. But, despite that, human interference of the environment is prevalent and is taken lightly by people these days. Pollution, logging, clearing for various land uses are the few main threats that are being posed at destroying the works and beauty of nature. Must we really lose it from our clutches, before we feel the feel the agony to realise the importance of it and start to cherish it? I could say, it will too late to be savaged by then because things cannot be recovered over time. The nature is like a baby- it requires the care and protection of its parents and the parent would in turn reap the benefits from the baby. When the nature is hay-wired, problems affecting human either one way or another would arise thereafter. One after another, as though like a chain effect, organisms will disappear from our sight and we shall bear the consequences.
However, we are lucky that there is indeed a handful number of people that are actively involved in the conservation works because they understand and is aware of the importance of the nature is to us. Firstly, i feel that we should start from education of the ignorance, so as to raise awareness and people. Secondly, little efforts collectively, makes a huge difference. That's why everyone should play their part and for me, before i make any careless and impulse action, i will remind myself with the consequences that come after. I can be mindful to reduce my carbon footprints or pollution by using environmental friendly alternatives.
Besides, we can join different non-profit organisations that can enrich our lives, is meaning, as well as, to help out with the nature. One example is ACRES that i have kept myself updated with since last year because i found that the number of animals left in the wild in Singapore is scarce and we should hand them to appropriate handlers to help the animals, should they come cross into our lives, instead of ending their lives for no good reason.
Think before you act. Start right now!
THE ONLY ONE cut the sentence at 7:22 am
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Sunday, 24 April 2011
PASIR RIS MANGROVE
FILED TRIP
Pasir Ris park is located in the north-eastern part of Singapore, which is separated into 3 parts, namely the Sungei Api Api, Sungei Tampines and the river itself. This area was a reclaimed during the 1978 to 1979 and the land encompasses a total area of 70.52 hectares, of which, only 5 ha of matured mangroves were preserved during the process. Currently, the mangroves is maintained by the National Parks (NParks) and has served its purpose as recreation site for families during the weekends, and as well as, for educational purposes, which was our motive for this trip.
The structure of the mangroves if you realise is drastically different from the structures of the forest in the previous field trip to Bukit Timah Nature Reserve. Firstly, the trees in mangroves are not as tall as the ones in the forest due to the unstable soil and waterlogged condition that hinder its growth. Secondly, unlike the forest, which has several distinct vertical layers, the mangroves have 3 distinct horizontal zones instead - Coastal, Middle and Inland zone.
- Coastal Zone, which is near to the river -
- Inland zone, where it is drier -
The trees in the mangroves have also adapted well to its surrounding of waterlogged and unstable soil. This could be evident from the roots at different zone and it has helped us to differentiate one zone from the other when we are in there.
- Pencil-liked roots, which is considered as "breathing
roots" near to the coastal zones to maximise intake of oxygen from the atmosphere through its roots as the place is submerged in water at times -
- Prop roots in the middle zone to anchor the plant firmly into the loose soil-
Besides, the fruits of the Rhizophora is so well adapted that it start to grow into a seedling on the parent plant, so that it shape can pierce into the ground and immediately start growing, thus reducing the time needed to anchor itself to the soil.
- An example of the seedling of the Rhizophora -
Here are some of the other organisms we saw as well.
1- Sea holly that interestingly has leaves of both kinds of shape -
2- Sea hibiscus, which resembles the shape of a heart -
3 - Giant mudskipper, that is capable of surviving both on land and in water-
4 - Nipah Palm, which is a commonly used ingredient in our desserts in Singapore, such as ice kachang -
5-Holes made by crabs -
During the entire 1 and a half hours boardwalk, the stench coming from the mangroves was detestable because of the anaerobic respiration carried out by the bacteria decomposing in the soil. However, it made me realise the importance of mangroves. Not only does it merely provide a habitat for organisms, it actually has may other vital functions as well. It provides a source of food for human, traps and removes unwanted waste in the water using the roots, a site of stopover for many migratory birds, such as egrets, herons and kingfisher, and last but not least, a place for human to enjoy the serenity and beauty of nature and its little creature hiding in there.
THE ONLY ONE cut the sentence at 5:45 am
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Wednesday, 6 April 2011
Bukit Timah Nature Reserve
If people are untold about the history of Singapore, many, including myself, could hardly believe that only less than 200 hundreds years ago, Singapore was a piece of largely and densely forested area, like its neighbouring countries, such as Malaysia and Indonesia. However, due to the rapid developments of Singapore over the years to transform itself into a bustling trading port, plots after plots of lands have been cleared to make way for modifications into a largely human environment. This have caused us to be overly focused on developments and have greatly neglected the remaining green spaces we have on this minute island.
Today, Bukit Timah Nature Reserve (BTNR), located in the Central Catchment, is the only few rainforests left in Singapore and thus far is the highest point of the country. But, we could count ourselves fortunate to be one of the few countries to still have traces of primary rainforests within its built-up area, the other being Rio de Janeiro in Brazil. Despite it occpying such a small area, it houses over 840 flowering plats and 500 species of animals. I had this opportunity to be embraced in the beauty and serenity of nature, so let me now share with you guys my feelings the experience i had there and hope that you will learn something that will prove useful.
Personally, even though i hate to say, humans persistence to seize whatever remaining areas around the BTNR for development is absurd and fatuous, as it poses unnecessary threats to destroy its natural beauty and towards the organisms. When we are travelling on the small roads, heading towards the hill, notice the houses that line along the roads all the way till near the foot of the hill. I am sure the animals there would not be very comfortable to give in and to accommodate additional features in their habitats in the expense of what they call home. I urge that before anything is proposed to be done, do spare a second thought for the cute little creatures hiding beyond your sight, because they are declining in great numbers that can threaten the ecosystem or even disappear from this place forever.
Here are some of the evidence of humans impacts on the environment:
1) Staircases
2) Signboards
3) Guided Paths
4) The communication tower at the summit of the BTNR
The BTNR is indeed a treasure of biodiversity, because i was awed by the astonishing variety flora, which i didnt really take notice of in my previous visits.
The main character was probably the seraya tree but it doesnt come easy. It took us quite some time before we finally found a enormous Seraya tree standing prominent among the rest of the uniform and short trees. Its girth and height of the tree is shows the years it has spent on this hill and the unique features on it displays its adaptations to its environment.
We know the countless benefits the rainforests provides us, yet it seems that we have not done enough to protect it and is still destroying it. Shouldn't everyone play a small part to preserve and treasure it before it really disappears- good and forever, from our grasp. By then, it will be too late to regret ad it will be a painful lesson.
Next time when you visit the BTNR, feel the presence of the vegetations, hear the songs of the creatures (Cicada and birds) and be extremely still, because if you are lucky enough, you will be able to spot some cheeky little creature around you. Thank them!
THE ONLY ONE cut the sentence at 12:30 am
*****
Wednesday, 27 January 2010
" A champion needs to have what it takes to be... "
This actually happened in our game against Geylang Methodist Secondary yesterday despite the fact that we managed to beat them, I was disappointed in my performance, in terms of skill and mental wise, as I was not able to lead the team to bring out the "never say die" spirit and the whole atmosphere was solemn. Also, I was not able to perform like usual that resulted in serving a few out balls and not able to attack powerfully.
The team lacked in communication, which is an important factor in playing volleyball and everyone was somewhat unsure of what to do. However, we managed to come back as a team nearing the end of the second set of the game as everyone did their roles to perfect the ball assisting the attacker. At the end of the match, Mr Low gave us a short speech and it made us realised that every single one of us have the skill and is equally important in playing their part, but the cheering must also not be neglected. It brings us into a stronger team that is aggressive and intimidating. Not only will it boost our confidence, it also petrifies the opponents by increasing the tension.
I recogitate at the game played on way back. Even though that I am feeling weary after the second consecutive, I must procure the confidence and skills of being an outstanding player by the next match.
THE ONLY ONE cut the sentence at 1:30 am
*****
Saturday, 23 January 2010
When was the last time you had a great laugh when you are getting tons of assignment flooding into your school journals? Well, the Canadian award-winning comedy "Just for Laughs" is back but this time it is in Asia! You will witness fellow Singaporeans being lured to be the "victims" and gets teased and tricked by the deliberately concocted scheme, and it is guaranteed it will earn your thumbs-up and laugh your heart out, relieving your stress.
I got rather disappointed after TV Mobile has terminated their service on SBS buses that used to air various television programme and which I always yearns for "Just for Laughs" to be broadcasted, as I could no longer catch it for a laugh while on the way back home from school or to kill time on long bus journeys. I bet many would agree with me as the show brought smiles to every commuters on the bus.
I have actually long brought up this idea to my mum about "Just for Laugh" targeting Singaporeans but I contradicted myself on saying that Singaporeans are kind of like sore losers and if there were to find out being pranked, they would put on a gloomy face. In my opinion, the show is rather offensive but overall it is to test how spontaneous you are and I believe the cast should respect your decision before airing on the TV...
Remember to catch it every Tuesday, 9pm on Channel 5!
- This is gross! So intimidating... -
THE ONLY ONE cut the sentence at 11:53 pm
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