1 ROCY: World Scout Environment Programme I 2 ROCY: World Scout Environment Programme I CONTENTS Explore and Reflect Aims Aim 1………………………………………………………………….…………………………. Pp3 Aim 2…………………………………………………………………………………………..….Pp15 Aim 3………………………………………….………………………………….……………….Pp27 Aim 4…………………………………………………………………………….………………..Pp33 Aim 5………………………………………………………………………………………………Pp40 Take Action Project Step 1: What Project…………………………………………………………………………Pp 45 Step 2: Integration ………………………………………………………………………….Pp 47 Step 3 & 4: Planning and Preparing……………………………………………………Pp 49 Step 5: Execution ……………………………………………………………………………Pp 49 Step 6 & 7: Evaluation and Celebration………………………………………………Pp 51 Reflections………………………………………………………………………………………Pp 52 References …………………………………………………………………………………….P55 3 ROCY: World Scout Environment Programme I WSEB I: Clean Water Clean Air Objectives: Explore the sources of clean water and clean air in the local environment. Identify threats to clean water and clean air in the local and global environment and be able to suggest solutions. Contents Activity 1: Exploring the Kallang River @ Bishan Ang Mo Kio Park .................4 Activity 2: Taking Samples of Water Quality in several locations ...................9 Reflections about the water survey................................................................10 4 ROCY: World Scout Environment Programme I Activity: “Exploring the Kallang River @ Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park” Changes in the waterway between Peirce Reservoir and Bishan In February 2013, my class went for a walk by the Kallang River @ Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park (BAMKP) as part of our Values In Action activities. For me, exploring this park is nothing new as i have lived in the Bishan area ever since i was born. I have played in the old canel (alternatively, we can call it a longkang) as a child (Figure 1), i watched as they reconstructed the old park into this new “natural” looking riverbed (Figure 2). As a cub scout, i have even explored the nature in the “new” park while pursuing my Naturalist proficiency badge (Figure 3). 5 ROCY: World Scout Environment Programme I The series of photos earlier discuss the changes in the waterway of BAMKP. These changes, however, are unnatural changes. Water in nature, if left alone, is a very strong force that can even change the physical features of the land. However, in Singapore, nature is not given much chance to make natural changes to the land. The BAMKP used to have a man-made storm drain running through it, now has a natural looking river image. These changes that were made was man-made and took place over a period of 15months, leaving a lovely natural looking park with many water features (Fig 4) For the purposes of this section of the report, i wish to focus on two ponds that have undergone a massive change. Only the old Lotus Pond has been left untouched (of which i am glad, as it affects one part of this environmental project which i will discuss under Section 2 of the project). 6 ROCY: World Scout Environment Programme I Cleansing Biotope In the park upgrading, NParks and PUB co-operated in creating this natural water purification system (Fig 5) to increase sustainable water use in the park. How the biotope works Surface runoff from rain, the ponds, and water from the river is filtered through the cleansing biotope, a layered structure with many different types of plants. After the filtration process, the water is passed through a treatment process then (theoretically) used to supply water to the water playground. This all forms a cycle as the water from the playground will run into the pond from which it is channelled back to the biotope, and so the whole process goes on (Figure 6). 7 ROCY: World Scout Environment Programme I If you ask, how does a man-made structure qualify as a natural purification system, it is because the materials used to clean the water is natural – the plants chosen to be grown in the cleansing system are carefully chosen for their properties. Plants like the water Canna, the Pickerel Weed, Paper Reed, have been used in many of our reservoirs as natural water cleansers (Figure 7). 8 ROCY: World Scout Environment Programme I 9 ROCY: World Scout Environment Programme I Activity: “taking samples of water quality” I had the opportunity to work with two RI sec 3 boys who were attached to Dr David Bickford for their Science Mentorship Programme (SMP). Their project (to be described in Section B of this project) also involved an exercise on water sampling. Area 1: Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Lotus Pond Area 2: Bishan-Ang Mo Kio river Area 3: Lower Peirce Reservoir Area 4: Venus Drive stream We collected water samples (Figure 8) from each area and tested it for various elements – namely phosphate, nitrate, and pH level (Figure 9). The purpose of this water testing was to see if the water quality would affect the frog population of the area. Phosphates and Nitrates could come from pollution, or the excessive use of fertilizers. Being that BAMKP is an urban park, it is highly possible that in caring for the park, excessive pollutants were introduced. Table 1 Water Quality of four locations as measured by pH, nitrate, and phosphate levels Lower Peirce BAMKP BAMKP Venus Drive Reservoir Lotus Pond Stream pH levels (M ± SD) 6.20 (0.04) 5.80 (0.04) 6.10 (0.05) 7.10 (0.06) Nitrate Levels 36 47 55 33 Phosphate levels 0.02 0.05 0.03 0.02 10 ROCY: World Scout Environment Programme I Explaining the results of the water survey An internet search of frog rearing and frog breeding sites revealed that a pH level of 7.20 is considered optimal for frog breeding. Frogs are able to survive in pH levels no lower than 4.90. Therefore, the four areas surveyed should all be possible for frogs to breed in. Reflections of the Water Survey Two-thirds of the planet we live on is covered with water, and up to 75% of the human body consists of water. We need water to live – while a human can last on average up to three weeks without food, the same person can only last on average up to three days without water. Currently, in Singapore, we are lucky that we have clean water to drink on a daily basis (thanks to our four National Taps). Some other less fortunate countries cannot live such luxurious lives. 11 ROCY: World Scout Environment Programme I What humans sometimes forget, however, is that we are not the only consumers of water. Plants need water. Animals need water. Nature needs water. Water sustains life. How do we know if a water body is healthy or weak? The easiest indicator of a water body in danger is the appearance of green algae and slime in natural water bodies (Figure 10). The second indicator is the strong smell that resembles rotting eggs – a result rotting of stuff thus polluting the water. An ecosystem that gives off stagnant smells is at risk. Walking in the BAMKP, one does not get that dead feeling. As such, we are very lucky – the water is of an acceptable quality. The quality of the water can sustain life, as is evidenced in both river and pond. Walking by the side of track leading to the Tree Tops Walk (that was our Venus Drive location), there is a light feeling, evidence of being surrounded by a lot of life. 12 ROCY: World Scout Environment Programme I Clean Air Clean Water and The Frog Project The young of frogs, the tadpoles, live in water. If the water body they are in is starting to putrefy, the tadpoles’ development will suffer and we may not have so many frogs making it through the tadpole stage. This will be crucial to the environment because frogs are necessary to eat insects and keep infestation by vectors under control. When water source are at risk, life-forms within that water source suffer. The frogs’ coping mechanism towards dirty water in their habitat is simple – they move away and search for a better water source to lay their eggs in. This will bring about a reduction of frogs within the habitat, thus the animals that feed on frogs will also suffer. Thus, the presence of clean water and air is crucial for the maintenance of frogs within an ecosystem 13 ROCY: World Scout Environment Programme I Illness Disease carrying vectors grass & plants Primary Consumers “Bad” Tadpoles Frogs water die Mutant frogs Frogs leave the Food source for ecosystem in search animals in ecosystem of better water to that prey on frogs lay eggs in 14 ROCY: World Scout Environment Programme I Table 2: Threats to Clean Water and Potential Solutions Threat Solution Outdoor Washing (e.g. Education of the risks involved floor, car) Choose to use biodegradable soap Littering Education of the people Provision of more refuse bins Stiffer fines, more monitoring Burning Education of the people Only burn in allocated places Clear up after you finisih Stiffer penalties of indiscriminate burnings (offerings) 15 ROCY: World Scout Environment Programme I World Scout Environment Badge II Objectives: Explore a local natural area. Understand the ecosystem connections of native species of plants and animals and their habitat needs. Be aware of global conservation issues affecting biodiversity. Contents Activity: Survey of Bishan Ang Mo Kio Park as an Ecosystem.......................16 Maintaining Sufficient Habitat for a Healthy Ecosystem................................25 16 ROCY: World Scout Environment Programme I Activity: Nature Survey of the Bishan Ang Mo Kio Park (BAMKP) Definition An ecosystem is the relationship of how the living resources, habitats, and residents of the area interact. It consists of many things, both living and non-living. It will also take into account the physical features of the land. The area of my survey is the Bishan Ang M Kio Park (both park 1 and 2) as this is one of the four areas that the main project will be considering.