A Walk in the Park

By Joshua Wei, Darrell Lim, Daniel Lai & Ryan

Chua

The QuestionOn 23 May 2013, we went for a Science Enrichment Program, taking down photos and notes along the way.We were also given the question

“HOW DO WE KEEP A BALANCE BETWEEN URBAN AND NATURAL ENVIRONMENT?”

The AnswerNatural environment needs to be cleared for urbanization (building of MRT rails, HDB flats, etc.)Yet we need to save natural environment to save the Earth (Plants produce oxygen)The Solution:

As our Government (URA) plans for roads, houses, etc., they need to conserve some of the natural environment in Singapore.

TASKWe were asked to identify the three features of the eco-system and describe how they aid in the survival of specific organisms.So several unique organisms seen during the activity will be listed down.

1. Strangling figs (Ficus aurea)

Germinates in the canopy of a host treeTakes a long time to germinateStrangles host tree while climbing to receive sunlightTakes the place of the host tree after strangling it

2. Fig tree fruit (wú huā guo)

Female flower hidden in fruit

Female wasps go inside the fruit and lay their eggs, the males hatch first and mate with the females then die, then the females hatch and try to get out of the plant, while the plant gets pollen all over them.

3. Green crab spiderArranges legs in claw like formation

Hides under leaves and in flowers

Eats small insects

Extremely long front legs

Able to move forward, backward and sideways

What helps them survive in their ecosystem?

Abundance of natural fruit (food)Variety of preyNo human predators and no accidental introduction of foreign speciesA lot of pollinators

Threats Increase in carbon emissionsClearing of natural environment for urbanization

How to deal with threatsTo reduce carbon emission:

Use fan instead of air- conditioner (air-con gives out carbon dioxide and uses electricity)

Use public transport (so as to reduce number of cars on roads because the cars produce carbon emissions) or use alternative methods to travel, eg. bicycle or walking

Try to prevent the clearing of natural environment or use alternative ways so that the extent of damage to the natural environment will be decreased

Supporting groups wanting to save natural environments, eg. S.O.S Bukit Brown

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