Sungei+Buloh+Team+4

Good reflective account and interesting insights provided! Very obvious evidence of info processing and learning.

Jeremy Xiao (26), Wilson Tan (25), Ryan Wee (24) (Pictures), (Full PDF)  = ** Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve ** = = ** - Our online article ** = = Editorial by Ryan Wee = = Pictures by Wilson Tan, Jeremy Xiao. = = Sorry, pictures cannot be loaded in, so they are in correspondence to the figures, in the document called pictures. For a full draft in PDF for the text and pictures, look above. = **__ Introduction __** This article introduces the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, one of the only four nature reserves in Singapore. A nature reserve is a reserve protected by law with certain flora and fauna. The Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, which is Singapore’s first ASEAN heritage park, also consists of mangroves. In this article, we will present to you firstly, why mangroves are important and their benefits, as learnt from a PowerPoint, and also different types of species found by us, with pictures and many details[1]. Next, we will say how litter actually affects the place, and what we can do. Last of all, we will answer the question whether Singapore is ecologically diverse, and present a conclusion. **__ Interesting features of Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve __** Firstly, we would like to describe the interesting physical features. We thought that one of them was the way in which the whole walk was placed. It actually allowed us to really go deep into the mangroves, and really experience the feeling of it. It also allowed us to get closer to the different flora and fauna, and to see and hear the nature that was around us, that we were walking past. Another interesting feature was the signposts along the way, telling us about the flora and fauna that we were walking past. This made sure that we were able to understand and look at the plants or animals better. The rest stops also allowed us to compile information at certain points, and for the guide to set up the telescope thing so that we could spot animals such as kingfishers, which we would not be able to probably spot otherwise. As for the other interesting features, I think it was interesting that the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve was one of the four nature reserves in Singapore, and that it was one of the only mangroves. It was also a very interesting fact that certain flight paths of birds over the Pacific Ocean caused them to actually land in the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve during the period around March. We also learnt many interesting facts and features from a presentation that N Parks gave us before we went to the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, and also from our guide that brought us along the trail that led us deep into the mangroves. For example, our guide told us about many different types of flora and fauna, and showed us the thorns of the Nibong Tree. **__ On mangroves’ importance and benefits. __**  There are three main reasons why mangroves are important. Firstly, it provides a rest area for birds which are migrating from different parts of the world to escape the cold of winter, and have flown thousands of kilometers all over the planet. Many birds reside or rest in Singapore. If there were no mangroves, certain birds, which need mangroves as habitats, would have nowhere to land anymore. This would be dire, as it would result in many birds having to change their migratory routes. Many different types of birds rest in Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, such as the Egret, Heron and Plover[2]. The Plover for example, lands in the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve in November, and feeds on a mudflat. It stays until March, where it has eaten and grown until it weighs about 170 grams, and flies off again. The second reason, why mangroves are important, is that they prevent erosion, and provide a wall against things like hurricanes. They prevent erosion, as they stabilize the sediments, which happen because of a mangrove’s tangle of many roots. An example of roots would be pencil roots. These roots poke out of the ground like pencils, which is how they got their name. Besides that, mangroves protect a shoreline from hurricanes, and other disasters, as they form a sort of wall. If there were no more mangroves, the erosion rate would be faster, and to add to that, the risk of a hurricane breaking through would be much higher. Last but not least, the third reason on why mangroves are important is because they simply provide a special habitat needed for certain birds, plants and other animals. Many examples include the Naritas, small snail like animals that cling to roots and trunks, to the Euphorbiaceae, which means “Blind your eyes”, or Buta – Buta in Malay. If there were no more mangroves, these plants might die out, which would add to the problem that Singapore has the highest rate of loss of species in the region. **__ The different species (Information highlighted in red) __** There are many, many species living in the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, but those in the list that follows only include those that we were able to see or learn about. Monitor lizards **//(figure 1)//**, its length almost two children’s arms put together, with its forked tongue movement. Freshwater plants, such as the Water Lettuce (**Scientific Name:** Pistia stratiotes **Genus:** Araceae ), and Water Hyacinth.(**Genus:** Eichhorna **Size : ** Leaves 10 – 20 cm across, can rise up to 1 metre above water ) Lots and lots of mangroves, with their tangled roots **//(figure 4)//**. The lined Skink. **__(__//figure 5)//** Got its name as on its back, it has parallel lines running up and down it. **Family:** Scincidae **Predators:** Mainly raccoons, foxes, possums, snakes, coatis, crows, cats, dogs, herons and hawks The Archer fish, which has black and white stripes. **Family:** Toxitdae **Other common names:** Spinner fish can be used as firewood The Naritas (**//figure 7)//**, snails that look like little black blobs, that stick or cling to roots and trunks. Pong – Pongs, which are poisonous fruit. **Scientific Name:** Cerbera odollam **Other commonly used names:** Othalanga, Suicide Tree **__ How does litter affect this place? __**  When we went to the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, it was very nice and really looked like wetland and mangroves, except that there was litter **//(figure 10 and 11)//** floating everywhere in the swamps. There was everything from plastic cups and plates, to Pepsi bottles with no Pepsi inside. This is actually very worrying, as if there is too much litter, the mangrove might be choked up. Small animals might get obstructed or get hurt, and harmful chemicals for the litter might be absorbed by them and harm them. We think that really, the only way to solve this problem would be to stop people littering. This could be brought about in a few ways. Firstly, awareness could be brought about of the various consequences of litter choking up the mangroves, and secondly, we could increase more people to patrol the area. There could also be groups hired to clean the mangrove, if that is not already in place. These three ways would hopefully put people of littering in the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve. **__ Is Singapore ecologically Diverse? __**  Firstly, we would like to say what we think a place that is ecologically diverse means. We think that it means a place where there are a lot of species of flora and fauna, and also a wide variety of habitats. Firstly, for a wide range of species. We feel that yes, Singapore has a wide range of species. There are many different plants, and also, many wonderful and interesting animals and insects. However, we feel that this is actually a very delicate balance, as Singapore already has the highest rate of deforestation, and partially as a cause of that, the highest rate of loss of species in the region. But there is not only bad news. In 2007, we had a higher area of vegetation than from the 1990s. This shows that although we are losing species, we are still making an effort. Secondly, for a wide variety of habitats. My group thinks that it is very important to have a wide variety of habitats. It means that there will be more species, which is a problem, and a section of being ecologically diverse. National Parks has already tried to keep a wide variety of habitats in Singapore and preserve them, by creating the four natural reserves, which are protected by law. The four nature reserves, and their habitats, are firstly, mangroves and swamps for Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, Coastal Land for Labrador Reserve, and primary and secondary rainforests for Bukit Timah Nature Reserve and Central Catchment Nature Reserve. **__ Conclusion __** Overall, we feel that really, Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve is actually a very interesting place, that presents a wide variety of flora and fauna, and we also feel that it plays an integral part in preserving many different species of both animals and plants found in Singapore. If we were asked about it, we would certainly give a positive response, and recommend it. Besides that, we also think that the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve is very visitor – friendly, and allows for visitors to rest, and to eat in the café.
 * __//** Figure 1 – Monitor Lizard **//__ ||
 * Pacific Swallow – a common bird found throughout Singapore, a small bird in the swallow family. **Scientific Name:** // Hirundo tahitica //** Also known as: ** Hill Swallow ** Nest : ** Cup shaped, built with mud pellets
 * The Birdnest Fern. It grows on other trees or plants, but does not take nutrients from them. **Genus:** Asplenium **Where they grow:** In trees, rocks and even the ground
 * __//**|| Figure 2 - Turtle**//__
 * __//**|| Figure 2 - Turtle**//__
 * Collared Scropps Owl **Size : ** 23 – 25cm ** Scientific Name: **// Otus bakkamoena lettia //
 * The Plover, which as said before, migrate to Singapore in November, then leave again in March, having fed on a mudflat. **Family:** C haradriidae **Subfamily:** Charadriinae
 * Turtles **//(figure 2)//**
 * || Figure 3 – White – Breasted Waterhen
 * The Red – eard Slider, a semiaquatic turtle. **Size:** 25 – 33cm in length **(** **females**) 20 – 25 cm in length (**males**) **Scientific name : ** // Trachemys scripta elegans //
 * The Cicida
 * Baru – Baru, a tree. **Grows up to:** 13 metres tall.
 * The White – Breasted Waterhen **//(figure 3)//**. It has a white breast, as its name suggests, and very large feet, and we managed to capture it feeding. ** Scientific Name: **// Amaurornis phoenicurus // **Family : ** Rallidae **Diet:** Mainly insects, small fish, aquatic invertebrates and seeds
 * || Figure 4 - Mangrove roots
 * Fig Tree, which has aerial roots, which dangle from the branches, and can become trunks when they touch the ground. **Refers to:** Ficus **Ficus:** A genus of over 850 species
 * The Simpoh Ayer. (Malay name)
 * The Plantain squirrel, one of the most common squirrels to be found in the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve. It scampers up and down the tree very quickly. **Scientific name:** // Callosciurus notatus //** Size : ** 20 – 30cm long
 * || Figure 5 - Lined Skink
 * The Monkfish. **Includes:** The genus Lophius and Squatina **Also known as:** Headfish
 * The half beak **//(figure 6)//**, which has an orange spot on its nose, and got its name as it has a long upper jaw and a smaller lower jaw. ** Family: ** Hemiramphidae ** Habitat: ** Warm waters around the world
 * || Figure 6 - Half - beak
 * The Api Api Bulu, a tree reaching 30 metres in height, one of the largest of the Avicennia species. **Scientific Name:** // Avicennia rumphiana //** Uses: ** Can be burnt to smoke things like fish,
 * Figure 7 - Naritas/ snails ||
 * || Figure 8 - Bracket Fungus
 * The Kingfisher. ** No. of species: ** Roughly 90 **Look:** Large heads, long sharp and pointed bills, short legs, stubby tails
 * Many crabs.
 * The Nibong Tree, which has many thorns, all of which can be put into blowdarts.
 * || Figure 9 - Mudskipper
 * Bracket fungus, **//(figure 8)//** which in this case, grew in the gaps between the many wooden planks that lined the walkway. **Similar living things:** Pleurotoid Fungi. Are similar, but have gills. **Uses:** A flammable substance, Amadou, can be prepared from bracket fungus.
 * The weaver ant, a large red ant, whose nest is a leaf bent and folded to form a small container. **Scientific Name:** // Oecophylla smaragdina //** A **** lso known as: ** Green ants
 * Mudskippers, **//(figure 9)//** both big and small. ** Found in : ** Tropical, subtropical and temperate regions, including Indo – Pacific, Atlantic coast of Africa **Family : ** Gobiidae
 * Figure 10 - Litter ||
 * Figure 11 - More litter ||

[1] Courtesy of our team and Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve. [2] Courtesy of Mr. Lin.