Buttress roots

Buttress are large roots on all sides of a tall or shallowly rooted tree. Typically, they are found in nutrient-poor rainforest soils and do not penetrate to deeper layers. They prevent the tree from falling over (hence the name buttress) while also gathering more nutrients. Butresses are tension elements, being larger on the side away from the stress of asymmetrical canopies.^[1] The roots may interwind with buttress roots from other trees and create an intricate mesh, which may help support trees surrounding it. They can grow up to 15 feet tall and spread for 30 metres above the soil then for another 30 metres below. When the roots spread horizontally, they are able to cover a wider area for collecting nutrients. They stay near the upper soil layer because all the main nutrients are found

Sources From: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buttress_root

GROUND!

Every Weekend there will be around 2000+ visitor walking around the nature reserve therefore causing the floor to be harder, more compact and destroy causing the roots to could not take in O2 and H2O :D

Lianas

Fauna

Lianas

A liana is any of various long-stemmed, woody vines that are rooted in the soil at ground level and use trees, as well as other means of vertical support, to climb up to the canopy in order to get access to well-lit areas of the forest.^[1] Lianas are especially characteristic of tropical moist deciduous forests and rainforests. These climbers often form bridges between the forest canopy, connect the entire forest and provide arboreal animals with paths across the forest. These bridges also protect weaker trees from strong winds. They also compete with forest trees for sunlight and soil resources (water and nutrients).^[2] There are also temperate lianas, however, for example the members of the genera Clematis or Vitis (wild grape). Well-known lianas include Monkey Ladder (Bauhinia sp.), Water Vine (Cissus hypoglauca or members of the genus Doliocarpus), but not Pothos (Epipremnum aureum), which is classified as an epiphyte or herbaceous vine.^[3]
Note that "liana" is not a taxonomic grouping, but rather a description of the way the plant grows, and lianas may be found in many different plant families. One way of distinguishing lianas from trees and shrubs is based on the stiffness (specifically, the Young's modulus) of various parts of the stem. Trees and shrubs have young twigs and smaller branches which are quite flexible and older growth (trunks and large branches) which are stiffer, whereas a liana often has stiff young growths and older growth, at the base of the stem, which is more flexible.^[4]

^Ecology:

Liana competes intensely with trees, greatly reducing tree growth^[5] and tree reproduction^[6], greatly increasing tree mortality^[7], preventing tree seedlings from establishing^[8], and altering the course of regeneration in forests.^[9] Lianas also provide access routes in the forest canopy for many arboreal animals, including ants and many other invertebrates, maggots, lizards, rodents, sloths, monkeys, and lemurs. For example, in the eastern rainforests of Madagascar, many prosimians achieve higher mobility from the web of lianas draped amongst the vertical tree species. Many lemurs prefer trees with lianas for their roost sites.^[10]. Lianas also provide support for trees when strong winds blow.^[11] However, they may be destructive in that when one tree falls, the connections made by the lianas may cause many other trees to fall.^[12]
As noted by Charles Darwin, because lianas are supported by other plants, they can use resources that other plants allocate to structure for growth and reproduction. In general, lianas are generally detrimental to the trees that support them; growth rates are lower for trees with lianas, they directly damage hosts by mechanical abrasion and strangulation and indirectly by making them more susceptible to ice and wind damage and the probability of a tree falling is increased by the presence of lianas. They also make the canopy of trees more accessible to animals which eat leaves. Because of these negative effects, trees which remain free of lianas are at an advantage; some species have evolved characteristics which help them avoid or shed lianas.^[13]

Dead Log

Fungi on TREE!!!!

Dead log for fertilliser when they were decomposed (:

Butterfly

Cinnamon Tree

Cinnamon Tree
Cinnamon is harvested by growing the tree for two years then coppicing it. The next year, about a dozen shoots will form from the roots.
The branches harvested this way are processed by scraping off the outer bark, then beating the branch evenly with a hammer to loosen the inner bark. The inner bark is then prised out in long rolls. Only the thin (0.5 mm (0.020 in)) inner bark is used; the outer, woody portion is discarded, leaving metre-long cinnamon strips that curl into rolls ("quills") on drying. Once dry, the bark is cut into 5–10 cm (2.0–3.9 in) lengths for sale.
The bark must be processed immediately after harvesting while still wet. Once processed, the bark will dry completely in four to six hours, provided that it is in a well-ventilated and relatively warm environment. A less than ideal drying environment encourages the proliferation of pests in the bark, which may then require treatment by fumigation. Bark treated this way is not considered to be of the same premium quality as untreated bark.
Cinnamon has been cultivated from time immemorial in Sri Lanka, and the tree is also grown commercially at Kerala in southern India, Bangladesh, Java, Sumatra, the West Indies, Brazil, Vietnam, Madagascar, Zanzibar, and Egypt. Sri Lanka cinnamon has a very thin, smooth bark with a light-yellowish brown color and a highly fragrant aroma. In recent years in Sri Lanka, mechanical devices have been developed to ensure premium quality and worker safety and health, following considerable research by the Universities in that country led by the University of Ruhuna.
According to the International Herald Tribune, in 2006 Sri Lanka produced 90% of the world's cinnamon, followed by China, India, and Vietnam.^[17] According to the FAO, Indonesia produces 40% of the world's Cassia genus of cinnamon.
The Sri Lankan grading system divides the cinnamon quills into four groups:

• Alba, less than 6 mm (0.24 in) in diameter
• Continental, less than 16 mm (0.63 in) in diameter
• Mexican, less than 19 mm (0.75 in) in diameter
• Hamburg, less than 32 mm (1.3 in) in diameter

These groups are further divided into specific grades. For example, Mexican is divided into M00 000 special, M000000, and M0000, depending on quill diameter and number of quills per kg.
Any pieces of bark less than 106 mm (4.2 in) long are categorized as quillings. Featherings are the inner bark of twigs and twisted shoots. Chips are trimmings of quills, outer and inner bark that cannot be separated, or the bark of small twigs.


Sources From: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cinnamon_tree

Everything Is Protected & Battle for Bukit Timah

This reminds us not to bring any of the things home out of the nature reserve!!
If 1 people take 1 speciments then 1000 people will take 1000 speciments it will greatly affect the plants!!

Battle for Bukit Timah

HISTORY

The Battle of Bukit Timah was a battle fought during World War II on 11 February 1942 in Singapore between the Allied forces and the Japanese forces.
By the 10th of February, the Japanese had landed in full force on Singapore Island. They controlled the entire western part of the island, and much of the north. Their next objective was Bukit Timah and the capture of vital water, food, ammunition, and vehicles, machine parts and other supplies. Now, flushed with success, the Japanese again advanced in full force.

Preparations:

The defending soldiers of the 12th and 15th Indian Brigades, the 27th Australian Brigade, and the Special Reserves Battalion; Tomforce, Merrett Force, Dalforce, and the Plymouth Argylls; Jind State Infantry and the X Battalion — all faced the Japanese onslaught. They fought at various points along Bukit Timah Road.^[

^Battle:

On that night, the Japanese 5th Division, supported by tanks, advanced down Choa Chu Kang Road. The 12th Indian Brigade and some British troops under Major Angus MacDonald and Captain Mike Blackwood (both were officers from the Argylls who would both later die on the steamship Rooseboom while escaping Singapore) blocked the road and opened fire with an anti-tank gun, destroying the first Japanese tank. But this was merely the first of a force of 50 tanks.^[1]
There followed some hand-to-hand combat, as well as bayonet charges from both sides. The poorly trained and equipped men of Dalforce, armed only with parangs, grenades, rifles and shotguns normally used for hunting, suffered heavy casualties. By midnight, the Japanese had overwhelmed the defenders and captured Bukit Timah.^[1]
The British launched a counter-attack the following morning with two brigades. But by midday, faced with strong Japanese resistance, the counter-attack failed.^[1]
The next day, the Japanese Imperial Guard advanced from the North, outflanking the British defenders and forcing their retreat. In the ensuing battle, the Chinese soldiers fought bravely, some to their deaths. Japanese suffered their heaviest casualties in the campaign to occupy Singapore. In revenge, they massacred Chinese men, women and children living in a nearby village.

Sources From: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Bukit_Timah

Bitter Nut & Wild Pepper

Bittenut Tree

Close up look of Bitter Nut

Wild Pepper



Bird Nest Fern

The Bird's Nest Fern has a short stout erect rhizome (stem) which bears a rosette of simple, long, pointed leaves (fronds) to form a "nest". The stem is usually not visible from the top. The nest traps fallen leaves and other debris which eventually decompose to humus. Beneath the nest of fronds is a large spongy, mass of roots which are covered by the reflexed dead leaves. Rain water is soaked up and stored in the mass. In this way, the plant provides its own food and water and can continue to grow in a soilless condition as long as it is not left to dry out for too long. When the plant grows upward and outward and the root mass becomes deeper and spongier, it attracts other ferns, mosses or algae to grow on the root mass.

The fronds can grow to a length of more than a metre and a width of about 20 cm, with the whole plant extending to about two metres across. The leaves are in shiny light green colour, with a smooth-edged blade and a prominent black midrib. The reproduction sacs, or sporangia which produce spores, are formed along the veins on the underside of the mature fronds at a 45 degree angle in parallel rows to the midrib. The fern produces plentiful spores which are dispersed by wind for proliferation. It is believed to have originated from tropical Asia and Polynesia.
Usage and Potential:
Food: The Bird's Nest Fern is non-poisonous and is occasionally eaten by aboriginal tribe in Malaysia.
Medicine: The Malay used a decoction of the leaves to ease labour pains in childbirth and also to obtain a lotion to treat fever.
Other uses: The fern is now commonly grown for garden landscaping, either placed in trees as naturally found or on the ground as a garden plant. The plant is also used in flower arrangements with the whole plant or cut leaves used to enhance the arrangement.
Variant Names:
Common names: Bird's Nest Fern, Nest Fern.
Scientific name: Asplenium nidus.
Malay names: Daun semun, Paku langsuyar, Paku padan, Rumah langsuyar, Selimbar.
Chinese name: Niao Chao Jue.

Sources From: http://infopedia.nl.sg/articles/SIP_389_2005-01-28.html

Gnetum Gnemon

Belinjau

           Picture of Gnetum Gnemon

Gnetum gnemon is a species of Gnetum native to southeast Asia and the western Pacific Ocean islands, from Assam south and east through Indonesia and Malaysia to the Philippines and Fiji. Common names include melinjo or belinjo (Indonesian language), bago (Malay language, Tagalog language), muling (Aceh language) peesae (Pattani Malay), dae (Kwara'ae language), phakmiang (Thai language) and bét, rau bép, rau danh or gắm (Vietnamese language). They are sometimes called padi oats or paddy oats.

Melinjo is native to Indonesia and very popular in this country. It is widely used in Indonesian cuisine. The seeds are used for sayur asem (sour vegetables soup) and also, ground into flour and deep-fried as crackers (emping, a type of krupuk). The crackers have a slightly bitter taste and are frequently served as a snack or accompaniment to Indonesian dishes. The leaves are also commonly used for vegetables dishes in Indonesia.
This plant is commonly cultivated throughout the Aceh region and is regarded as a vegetable of high status. Its flower, young leaves and fruit are used as ingredients in traditional vegetable curry called kuah pliek. This dish is served on all important traditional occasions, such as khanduri and keureudja. In the Pidie district, the women pick the ripe fruit (its skin color is red) and make keureupuk muling from it

History & Attractions

 Bukit Timah Nature Reserve was one of the first forest reserves established in Singapore. When the government of the Straits Settlements commissioned a report on the state of the forests, it was recommended that several reserves be created. Thus, in 1883, Bukit Timah Nature Reserve was established. In 1951, it received more protection under the Nature Reserves Ordinance which was enacted under the National Parks Act.

The 163-hectare reserve retains one of the largest tracts of primary rainforest left in Singapore.

The forest has been a botanical collecting ground for more than a century, where the first known specimens of many species of Malayan plants were obtained. Dr David Bellamy, a renowned conservationist, once pointed out that the number of plant species growing in the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve is more than that in the whole of North America!

Bukit Timah Nature Reserve is also home to Singapore's highest hill at 163.63 m. Composed mainly of granite, Bukit Timah Hill was once an active quarrying site in the mid-1900s. One abandoned quarry has been developed as a park - Hindhede Nature Park. It is now a popular spot with visitors who come to enjoy the quarry's scenic beauty and have some fun with the more challenging play equipment. 

Sources from: http://www.nparks.gov.sg/cms/index.php?option=com_visitorsguide&task=naturereserves&id=46&Itemid=75

Information About Bukit Timah Nature Reserve

    

    Step into the nature reserves and journey back in time to the days before Sir Stamford Raffles arrived, when much of the island was covered with lowland, tropical forest. Though much of Singapore's original vegetation had been cleared for logging and cultivation, the forest at Bukit Timah Nature Reserve hMacRitchie area and Nee Soon Swamp at the Central Catchment Nature Reserve.

These nature reserves bounded 4 reservoirs - namely MacRitchie Reservoir, Lower Peirce Reservoir, Upper Peirce Reservoir and Upper Seletar Reservoir. The nature reserves act as water catchment for the reservoirs, in addition, the nature reserves also ensure the quality of water in the reservoirs.

Other than being storehouses of water, today, Bukit Timah Nature Reserve and Central Catchment Nature Reserve are homes to more than 840 flowering plants and over 500 species of animals (including butterflies). With such an astonishing variety of plants, animals and insect life, the nature reserves are indeed treasure houses of Singapore's biodiversity.

    Covering an area of approximately 3,043 hectares, both the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve and Central Catchment Nature Reserve are managed by the Central Nature Reserve Branch of the National Parks Board.

     As nature reserves, Bukit Timah Nature Reserve and Central Catchment Nature Reserves are protected by the Parks & Trees Act 2005 for the conservation of our native biodiversity. Certain activities are prohibited within the nature reserves, especially activities that cause a lot of impacts on the native flora and fauna - hiking in groups of more than 30 without a permit, releasing of animals, feeding of animals, removing of native flora and fauna from the nature reserves, cycling, walking off the designated trails are just some of these activities.

Sources from: http://www.nparks.gov.sg/cms/index.php?option=com_visitorsguide&task=naturereserves&id=46&Itemid=75