Tanjong Piai is located along the southern most tip of Southeast Asia. In fact, you can see the island of Singapore from where we are.
We were introduced to the chapter on vegetation last year, but the one we didn't cover, but is commonly found along the coasts of Tanjong Piai, is the mangrove. Mangroves are unique in the sense that they thrive where fresh water meets salt/sea water. The water found in this area is much more saline compared to those inland. The result is plants that have very unique characteristics, like mechanisms in their cells that remove salt, protruding roots that enable the plants to breathe even during high tides.
Most significant of all, mangroves are invaluable in the protection of coastal areas against natural events like storms and even tsunamis. They do so by breaking the impact of large waves before they more inland, thus reducing their damage to infrastructure and saving lives.
My class, 3E2 was engaged in some activities on the pier when I spotted a strange formation along the coast. Mdm Tami and I walked all the way to the edge of the campsite before we saw what it was: a breakwater.
Breakwaters are man-made structures constructed parallel to the coast to prevent strong waves from damaging the coastline. The sea fronting Tanjong Piai is the main pathway for large ships bearing cargo. These large ships often generate huge waves which erode the coasts quickly. This is especially threatening for infrastructure, such as the campsite.
The flora and fauna is very different from Singapore, where we live surrounded by excessive urban built-up. Animals are free to roam the campsite freely, as their natural habitat of tropical forests surround the area.
One of the things I never fail to look forward to is hiking. Observe carefully, and you can see large areas of soil erosion caused by human activities. It appears they are trying to construct houses at the foot of the hill we were hiking.
I've never actually seen a liana in my life. This is the first. Interesting!!!! They are really, really huge! I almost tripped over one.
There were many of such plants in the forest with large needles on their barks. It was quite terrifying because at one point, my instructor accidentally slammed his palm into one of them while he was going down a slippery patch and he ended up with 8 splinters in his hand.
Question for today: Why do you think the plant has large needle-like structures on its bark?
Do click on the comment link and leave your answers there.
I leave you with a picture of a beautiful rainbow I saw.
See you kids in school!
P.S. Up next, details for an exciting level-wide competition. Watch this space!
