Ecology Project

This is a compulsory project classified by MPM (Majlis Peperiksaan Malaysia). Our Biology teacher, Pn. Annie, obviously wanted to finish off this as fast as possible.
So she called us back during the holidays and told us to settle the project. Date due: the first week of school.

Everyone was like: DUH!

Okay, it's like no school in KL and Selangor had already started the project. Those mandatory projects, again MPM said so are:
1. Plant Project- collection of 25 species
2. Insect Project- collection of 25 species
3. Ecology Project- soil sampling, distribution of plants and microorganisms

Looks simple, but actually it is EXTREMELY tough.
And tedious.

We have to find 25 different friggin leaves of different species, BUT also of 5 different families, and YET Pn Annie told us not to put in the name for species because we have not reached that level of determining species. Then we have to seal the leaves in completely vacuumed plastic to hinder fungi and bacterial growth.

NOT YET.

In 25 different species of insects, we have to find far and wide for insects. I went to Bukit Tinggi exclusively for this, with the promise of beetles. What I obtained after the trip was a few butterflies and dragonflies that every Dick, Tom and Harry can catch in KL; and of course, aching legs. Apichat and Krishnan went Ulu Yam and managed to get some ants and a few bites from leeches. In the end we bought 25 species of insects from a shop named Pappilon in Batu Caves, ranging from praying mantis to cicadas.

PLUS

This Ecology Project.

PART ONE
Soil Sampling

We got some garden soil from my yard, lake soil from Titiwangsa Gardens and jungle soil from some place. So we have to measure the pH, water content, air content, microorganism content and its texture.

These are the ingredients, chemicals and apparatus used for determination of soil pH.

The rest of the soil sampling are of no photos because I did not bring my cam to school.


fMe acting pro while doing a simple task of pouring the solution into a test tube.

Our whole group savoring victory after completing ONLY pH determination.

haha.. that's Apichat, the tallest and smartest guy in our class. Krishnan, our group leader. me. Pei Foong, the one doing the most, and Yee May.


PART TWO
Plants Distribution

Okay, it's like, most of them have no idea where is FRIM. Forest Research Institute Malaysia. It's a reserve forest covering partially Selayang along the way down to Sungai Buloh. Even Pn. Annie have no idea where it is. (She boldly wanted to tumpang a very shocked Michelle's car). Only Michelle and I knew where FRIM is!! So the good thing is, I offered to point directions for those who are willing to fetch me. So on that early morning, Boon Fei came with his Kancil to fetch me. Conclusion: Untung-lah!

So we did the quadrat sampling first.



this is our area of research....a shady area near a damn big longkang.

We laid down the quadrat and began sampling.














It's quite a boring job. Basically you just squat down there and measure the coverage. The only thing that breaks the routine is you get up to randomly choose another place for sampling. 10 times.









Krishnan said I looked like a ghost. lol

After 3 damn long hours, we're done, and feeling extremely happy about it.
Until Pn. Annie broke the news to us that....we're going back to school during the holidays for extra classes, because we have not finish evolution and stuff....

Everyone was like : 'sien diao!!'

After that we ended up in Selayang Mall having noodles.

Tired? Oh, VERY.