Sunday, January 31, 2010

RAINBOW EUCALYPTUS or RAINBOW GUM a.k.a.......BAGRAS.

Who would ever think that such a beautiful tree as the BAGRAS (Eucalyptus deglupta) would come from Mindanao, Philippines? Judging by it's towering stature, ever changing rainbow colored palette of its tree trunk and aromatic eucalyptus leaves, one would easily mistake this tree to originate from Australia, known for the land of the Eucalyptus trees.

What makes this tree so special is the spectrum of color developed by the peeling of its smooth bark in a fatigue inspired pattern. Mosquitoes are believed to be repelled by the scent of this tree and that oil essences are also used for therapeutic purposes. Aside from this, Bagras is also a fast growing forest tree species (pioneer tree), thus would be a good candidate for reforestation species and landscaping projects as well. Insects such as bees and butterflies seem to have a frenzy whenever clusters of nectar rich flowers cover its canopy. A sun loving tree such as this though also has its downside as branches would easily break due to strong winds and the whole tree might topple down in case its roots hasn't anchored properly to the soil.

Probably, it is not a good idea to plant this tree along highways / roadways because of the reason mentioned above.

Fallen leaves show "fall" colors.

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

QUARRYING OR MINING SITES........ENVIRONMENTAL TIME-BOMBS.

The pictures here were taken last December 2009 in the vicinity of San Pablo City, Laguna. Just to give everyone an idea on the immense effects a quarry site can do to the topography / contour, physical character of an area and especially the habitat within it's surroundings.

Notice the small mountain on the left hand side, which a great portion has been carved out by tractors. The large depression below the foreground and showing a basin of water or lake at the far right seems to be a crater made by years of operation by the quarry companies.

I don't see any trees within the area. Just the tall grasses that are ever present in barren wastelands.

A second quarry site adjacent to the first and showing almost the same view with the large mountain at the background. A few steps forward and sheer drop will take you to the bottom of the crater below......... Yikes!

A dump truck can be seen below making its way up the slope to where I am situated.

The huge amount of soil and rock displaced will cause soil erosion especially landslides, stripping away the fertile topsoil of the land and washing it towards the ocean where the silt will choke on the forest of the sea, which is the corals.

It's a sad sight it seems....

Saturday, January 2, 2010

NEW YEAR 2010.

MERRY CHRISTMAS
& HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!