Topic:Woodland Ecosystem --- The Tai Po Nature Field Study
Tang Wing Yan
Wong Ha Kwan
Fung Ka Hei
Introduction:quasi-rainforest
Area:440hectares
Slope gradient range:55-82temperature
Soil type:red-yellow podzol
Stem flow of rain water is retained by the vegetation,
the plant stems from the slow process of top-down flow. In
theory,
If there is no vegetation interception, stem flow is not there,
so to Tai Po so many places where vegetation stem outflows
There will be more the case now.
The more the vegetation, its soil rot
Yield is also higher quality input, so the soil along the
Tai Po area should be slightly acidic.
1)light intensity
Observe the relative light intensity within the woodland
light
intensity
Lower
layer
Middle
layer
Emergent
layer
2)Temperature and wind speed
the climate in tropical rainforests is hot and wet throughout the year
there is a large input of solar radiation throughout the year
3)rainfall
annual rainfall is high, usually over 2000 mm
In addition, rain in tropical rainforests occurs mostly in the afternoon
and falls as convection rain.
4)structure of the woodland
Emergent
layer
Canopy
layer
Young tree Shrub
layer
layer
Undergrowth
layer
5)Epiphytes
These are mainly small shrubs or herbs attaching themselves to
trunks and branches, without putting down roots in soil.
In this way, they can grow high up in the canopy layer and capture
sunlight to carry out photosynthesis. They are
harmless to the host. Epiphytes have aerial
roots to capture moisture from the air.
What are the difference between epiphytes
and parasites?
Parasites are plants that grow on other host plants.
They do not produce their own food.
They live by taking nutrient from the host plants.
Epiphytic plants include vines, ferns and lichen.
6) Shape of the tree crown
Rainforest trees are broad-leafed in other to compete for sunlight.
This enables them to receive a large amount of sunlight for growth.
Rain in heavy in the rainforest. The accumulation of rainwater on
the leaves will prevent them from receiving sunlight. It may also
cause infection of leaves. Rainforest trees have therefore developed
thick waxy surface and drip-tips t help shed excess water from leaves.
7)Buttress root
The role of roots is to absorb water and nutrients,
the supply of above ground stems, branches and
leaves grow their roots are generally grow in soil
wrapped. Board forest root is a common feature,
he and other roots in different places that he
unearthed on long woodland nutrients more
came from the forest litter. Therefore, there are
surface nutrients, roots can absorb nutrients board.
Board the largest root
Role is to support the large canopy of trees,
the trees upright and to resist strong winds.
8)Climbers
Similar to epiphytes, climbers are woody
plants that start at ground level. They
climb along the trees to reach the canopy
where they will spread from tree to tree
to get as much sunlight as possible.
Plantation Forest
Vegetation characteristics explained our reasons
for diversity and species diversity:
In Hong Kong, the annual rainfall is1500 mm or more.
From May to August are hot and humid with occasional showers
and thunderstorms, particularly during the mornings and
afternoon temperatures by often rise above 31 degrees
Celsius at night to maintain around 26 degrees Celsius.
General plant adaptation to the critical temperature is 10-30 degrees,
while the plant of which constitutes 60-80% of water, so Hong Kong
High-temperature wet environment is conducive to the type
and characteristics of vegetation diversity.
Conclusion
Although the visit was not a world where the greatest variety
of species of tropical rain forest, but we can observe that
hot and humid weather on the development of vegetation
patterns and soil impact? Hope we can have the opportunity
to a closer place to study tropical rain forest.
The End