Coastal
Hill Forest
The hill overlooking the intertidal zone of Chek Jawa is covered with
trees and plants that shelter and feed a variety of animals. Many
of these plants and animals are no longer commonly seen on mainland
Singapore.
What is a coastal plant? Coastal plants can withstand
the inhospitable conditions along the coast. They cope with strong
winds, salt spray and hot sun reflected off the sand and sea. The
coastal hill is mostly made up of rock so there is hardly any soil
to grow on.
Life on the edge: A community
of hardy trees and plants have developed special adaptations to flourish
in these inhospitable coastal conditions. Most cling tenaciously to
rock ledges, some grow wedged in crevices on the rock. Others grow
on the sandy beaches below.
Refuge for the rare: This small
patch is probably a remnant of an ancient forest that flourished along
the coasts of Singapore. Many plants that are rare or no longer found
on the mainland can be still be found in Chek Jawa's coastal forest.
The forest has some beautiful trees that are listed among the threatened
plants of Singapore.
Coastal Home: The coastal hill
forest also shelters and feeds a variety of creatures not often encountered
on the mainland, such as wild boar. Many rare
and interesting birds make the coastal hill forest their home or visit
to forage for food. They also frequent the abandoned fruit orchards
at Chek Jawa.
Shy and seldom seen: The residents
of the forest are shy. Many are well-camouflaged. To spot them, use
your ears to listen for bird song or movements in the vegetation.
The animals can hear you too! Try to be as quiet as you can so they
don't disappear before you can see them.
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Life on the edge
There is hardly any
soil to grow on
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