Ms J brought us to Bukit Timah Nature Reserve to do some field work. As this was our first time going outside the school as a class, we were very excited. However, the aim of the trip was to find out more about a tropical rainforest so we had to focus on it. Bukit Timah Nature Reserve is a tropical rainforest, unlike Temperate coniferous rainforest or the temperate deciduous rainforests, there were many varieties and layers of plants! What's more, tropical rainforests have a rather surprising thick amount of leaf litter. Here is a question we have in our head: Is there soil far far below the leaf litter?
In a temperate coniferous rainforest, there is only one type of tree, the christmas tree. Guess what is it shape? Yes, it is a cone-shaped tree. That is why the forest is called a coniferous tree! As there are four seasons, the trees must adapt to the climate. So how do they adapt to the cold weather in winter? Unlike deciduous forests, they do not drop their leaves. Instead, they have flexible branches that can bend when snow falls on them. This will cause the snow to fall off the branches.What's more, the trees have needle-like leaves so that there will be minimum water loss as during winter, water will freesh into either snow or ice. Then, the big question on our minds is: How does their cone-shape help?
I think this adaptation is to able the snow "slide" down the trees easier to prevent them from covering the tree. This structure resembles somewhat like the roof of a house, sharp at the top.
ReplyDeleteChrystal Ng(6)
Secondary 1.2
Since Crystal has answered one question, I shall answer the other, "Is there soil under the leaf litter?" Hmm... why isn't there the answer in the Internet? Oh well, I shall give my opinion, then. As I always think of it both ways when it comes to this kind of question, I immediately thought of the possibilities of both, due to habit. Both of them have their own possibilities and I can't seem to decide in the answer!
ReplyDelete1) YES
- soil needed for nutrients for growth for the tree
-soil needed for support and to hold the tree
2) NO
-leaf litter can provide the nutrients that the soil can provide
- leaf litter could have clumped up so that it is strong enough to support and hold the tree
What do you think?
Joanne Faith Foo
1.2
Regarding your question on soil, i think that there is soil even though the leaf litter covers it. How does the tree support itself with its roots if there is no soil?It is true that the decomposing leaves provide enough water and nutrients for the tree to survive but i don't think it helps when it comes to supporting the tree.Furthermore, the tropical rainforest has fertile soil unlike the temperate coniferous forest that is evergreen as it does not have much leaf litter.The temperate deciduous forest, however, has more fertile soil than the tropical rainforest.So i think that there is soil beneath the leaf litter^^
ReplyDeletealison choo