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 layer Shrub 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 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