I went to Xiangshan Yong Chungang Hiking Trail in Taipei, Taiwan.

I went with my
Uncle to hike on Xiang Mountain (Elephant Mountain). The mountain earned its name because
the shape of the mountain looks like an elephant. There are 3 other mountains named: Shi
Mountain (Lion Mountain), Hu Mountain (Tiger Mountain), and Bao Mountain (Leopard
Mountain). These 4 mountains form the Four Great Beast Mountains. While on my hike in
Taiwan, I noticed a multitude of different types of plant and animal life.

When I first arrived, I saw many different types of trees and bushes. The first type of tree
that I saw was a Twin Chinese Banyan Tree. There are two old Chinese Banyan trees at the park
entrance, like a bearded old man. The “beard” is banyan trees’ aerial roots that can absorb
moisture from the air. Aerial roots grow down towards the ground and become thick woody
trunks. As time goes by, you probably cannot tell them from the main trunk, and this might
become a forest coming from a banyan tree. Real roots of banyan trees often grow upward, like a
fishnet, to mesh the soil surface and that explains their naturally restless personality. The second
type of tree that I saw was a Ring-cupped Oak, which is distributed at different altitudes. The
wood of the Ring-cupped Oak is excellent, and was used for the handles of early farm tools. The
tree’s nuts are rich in starch, and are favorite food for squirrels and Formosan black bears. The
third type of tree that I saw was a Taiwan Acacia tree. Taiwan acacia trees have a very strong
root system. As you can see in the picture, the tree’s roots have buckled up the side of the granite
stair tiles. A story says that because humans brought stones into nature, and Mother Nature was
too powerful for people, they decided that they should coexist with nature peacefully rather than
challenge it. I also saw a type of berry. This berry is called Chinese SoapBerry. The Chinese
name of soapberry means “no troubles”. Just because its branches were used for exorcism in the
early age. The pee contains saponin used as a natural detergent. This is a perfect example of
knowing how to use natural resources and coexist peacefully with nature.

I also saw various types of insect species, such as beetles, butterflies, and definitely
mosquitoes. I also saw a snake and wild black cat as we walked along the trail. Though I didn’t
see many animal life, the view that I saw was incredible, so let me talk about that for a little bit.
About three quarters of the way to the top of the mountain, there’s a little resting spot for you to
look at the view. The view is of Taipei 101, a famous landmark that Taiwan is known for, and the
surrounding buildings of the city. Climbing all the way to the top of the mountain, there is a view
for the same thing, just much higher up so you can see more of the city. My Uncle told me that
on New Years, more than 1,000 people swarm the top of the mountain to get a good view of the
fireworks that would spew from the top of Taipei 101.
Beginning of Hike

Twin Chinese Banyan Tree

Ring-cupped Oak

Chinese SoapBerry
View of Taipei from the peak of the Mountain Insects: Beetles and Butterflies

Carambola Fruit Tree

Taiwan Acacia Tree

Visual of the Hiking Trail Wild Berry Bush

End of Hike
I learned that the most water used in my house is from our diet, with 768 gallons/day. For a total
of virtual water consumed, my household consumes 1071 gallons of water a day. I also consume
a total amount of 85 gallons of water a day for indoor water usage. My outdoor water usage is
only 1 gallon per day. I learned that I have a low water footprint compared to the average in the
US and that I have a -3 gallons of water consumption for fabric. I also learned that there are
many ways to help and improve the condition of my water footprint.

I learned that my daily consumption is based

mainly on food and mobility, although I would’ve thought that it would be shelter. It also
surprised me that I would consume 3.3 Earths if everyone was like me. Although my ecological
and carbon footprints are below average, I think that it’s still crazy that the amount of Earths
needed are involved.
1. What is the dependent variable?
The dependent variable is the amount of ethylene added in ml/m3.

2. What is the independent variable?

The independent variable is the amount of days the apple takes to mature.

3. What is the mathematical relationship between ethylene concentration and days to maturity?
It’s a negative mathematical relationship. The more ethylene concentration there is, the
less time it takes for it to mature. It starts from 15 and 14 days to 7 and 8 days.

4. What dose of ethylene seems to produce the best results for each apple type?
A dose of 35 ml/m3 seems to produce the best results for each apple type.
1. What is the dependent variable?
The dependent variable is the number of developing clams.

2. What is the independent variable?

The independent variable is the water temperature in °C.

3. What is the optimal (best) temperature for clam development? Provide data to support your
response!
The optimal temperature for clam development is 30°C. This is because at 30°C, it shows
the most amount of clams developed, which is 140 clams.
1. What is the dependent variable?
The dependent variable is the average thickness of annual rings.

2. What is the independent variable?

The independent variable is the age of the tree.

3. What was the average thickness of the annual rings of the trees in Forest A?
The average thickness of the annual rings of the trees in Forest A is 3.25 cm.

4. Based on this data, what can you conclude about the conditions in Forest A and Forest B?
In Forest A, there was a rough period of development in 2 periods, ages 40 years and 60
years. In Forest B however, there was no rough period of development as there was no decline in
thickness throughout the years at all.
1. What is the dependent variable?
The dependent variable is the pH of water.

2. What is the independent variable?

The independent variable is the number of tadpoles.

3. What is the average pH in this experiment?

The average pH in this experiment is 6.75 pH.

4. What is the average number of tadpoles per sample?

The average number of tadpoles per sample is 58 tadpoles.

5. What is the optimum water pH for tadpole development?

The optimum water pH for tadpole development is 6.5 pH.

6. Between what two pH reading is there the greatest change in tadpole number?
Between 6 and 6.5 pH, there is the greatest change in tadpole numbers.

7. How many tadpoles would we expect to find in water with a pH reading of 5.0?
Since the first decline was 45, and the second decline was 20, I am estimating that at 5.0
pH, the amount of tadpoles would be around 10.