FIELD REPORT-MARCH 2000
TRIP TO LONG CREEK STUDY BASE (PART III)

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Lowland rain forests are characterized by a multistoried structure usually comprising three or four storeys. The highest trees reach 45-55m and in exceptional cases 60m and more. These large trees do not form a closed canopy, instead tending to stand alone or in clusters and are referred to as "emergent trees". The next-lower storey is more or less closed and is formed by trees between 30-35m tall. Depending on the degree of light penetration into the lower canopy areas, there is a third and frequently a fourth storey below this. The brushwood and herbaceous layers are usually poorly developed due to the lack of light near the forest floor. Botanically speaking, the typical features of the rain forest are many trees with plank butresses, smooth, usually thin bark, often large but usually medium-sized, entire leaves, numerous lianas (climbing and twining plants) and epiphytes (plants that grow on other plants for only mechanical support) and the phenomenon of cauliflory (flowers that grow directly on the main stem or limb of a tree). The evergreen lowland rain forests are characterized by enormous diversity, with 60 to 80 and sometimes even more than 300 species per hectare.

Zoologically speaking, the forest lends itself a home to various animal species. To date, within the area, over 20 fish species, 17 frogs, 30 snakes, 4 turtles, 2 crabs, 10 lizards, 2 caimans, 200 birds 20 mammals have been recorded by tropical conservation biologists.

The soils of the location are excessively drained acid sandy soils (sands and sandy loams) low in natural fertility. They become droughty under clean cultivation and are very prone to erosion. They have little organic matter in the first 2 cm of soil and low moisture and nutrient holding capacity because of the soil particle size, movement of water and nutrient down the profile in very rapid. Complete fertilizers must therefore be applied for successful crop growth in the forest. Most crops grow well at pH values about 5.5 hence it may be necessary to amend the soil pH value to that above 5.5. The use of dolmitic limestone is recommended, where this action is necessary, as this soil ameliorant also provides magnesium which is in short supply in these soils.

Crops traditionally grown are citrus (Citrus spp .), pineapple (Ananas comosus), eddoe (Colocasia esculenta ), cashew nut (Anacardium occidentale) and more recently, mixed vegetables.

The travelling distance from Central Georgetown to Long Creek is 59 km (37 miles).

• To study the soil type and diversity of plant species of the tropical white sand rain forest.
• To assess the venture of agro-forestry.

RATING OF TRIP:

Excellent
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Good
Satisfactory
Unsatisfactory