Conservation Efforts In Singapore

[Celedonio Miranda]

Thisstrategy aims at conserving Singapore's habitats and ecosystems for long-term sustainability so that Singaporeans can benefit from their multiple functions. Concerted efforts should be made to protect existing native species, habitats and ecosystems, and to re-establish species that once existed.

Many programmes are being carried out in Singapore, designed to conserve and recover native species. Current initiatives include bird, dragonfly and plant conservation. In particular, Singapore's conservation work with Oriental Pied Hornbills has received national and international attention and such work is now being extended to other species. With regard to plants, we conserve rare species in their natural habitats, rescue plants from areas undergoing development; and increase their numbers through seed planting, cuttings and tissue culture, keeping them in secure areas for protection.

Dragonflies are important indicators of freshwater habitat quality. The 117 species found locally are being cultivated by enhancing water bodies such as ponds and streams with plants important for dragonflies. The designs of parks such as Jurong Central Park, Admiralty Park and Gardens by the Bay are also being improved to enhance dragonfly habitats. All these initiatives improve the experience of park visitors, who can enjoy better surroundings and lively, colourful insects.

NParks also creates and enhances habitats by replanting degraded areas, developing new grasslands for birds and improving mangroves. These activities are carried out in conjunction with other agencies, in many parts of Singapore, so that sufficient habitat is available for the species we are striving to conserve.

NParks is also creating and enhancing habitats by replanting degraded areas, developing new grasslands for birds, and improving mangroves. These activities are carried out in many parts of Singapore in conjunction with other agencies so that sufficient habitat is available for the species we are striving to conserve.

The Ketam Mountain Bike Park in Pulau Ubin is a good example of how land can be optimally used for different needs. The project demonstrated the sustainable co-existence of nature conservation and outdoor recreation.

When NParks took over management of the site in 1999, it had been highly impacted by past granite quarrying activities. The severely degraded park was devoid of greenery and biodiversity, and the ground was highly compacted with granite chips and dust.

To rehabilitate the site, about 350,000 cubic metres of soil was brought in for landscaping and over 1,500 trees and shrubs were planted. The Bike Park is now a lush habitat for a large number of open country wildlife, even attracting birds previously not found in Pulau Ubin such as the Red-wattled Lapwing, Baya Weaver and Lanceolated Warbler.

The soft-scaping of our waterways has an important role to play in benefiting our biodiversity. Most streams, rivers and ponds in the built-up parts of Singapore had been given hard edges, created by masonry, walls or concrete, to prevent flooding and protect infrastructure. Now, the trend has been reversed: changes in water flow and water levels are managed rather than prevented, and the ABC Waters Programme engages the People, Public and Private (3P) sectors to take ownership of water resources. It includes initiatives to manage catchments and waterways for recreation and enjoyment. Our drains, canals and reservoirs are now being transformed into beautiful streams, flowing rivers and vibrant lakes through the ABC Waters Programme.

Soft edges, with a variety of native plants, help to merge the man-made and the natural environments together. They encourage direct interaction between people and the waterways. Projects such as the revitalisation of the Kolam Ayer riverside encourage dragonflies, kingfishers and local water plants to thrive. Planted edges create more habitat types, and more places for animals to seek shelter, rest and feed. The plants can also help in making the water cleaner.

This strategy aims to conserve Singapore's habitats and ecosystems for long-term sustainability so that Singaporeans can benefit from their multiple functions. Concerted efforts should be made to protect existing native species, habitats and ecosystems, and to re-establish species that once existed.

As Singapore progresses economically, the multi-sectoral use of Singapore's coastal and sea-space resources becomes increasingly more complex, requiring the balancing of development, navigation, public health and conservation goals. The Technical Committee on Coastal and Marine Environment, comprising members from different agencies with a stake in the marine environment, was set up to address these issues, and will adopt integrated coastal management principles as a holistic approach in managing our coastal and marine resources.

Keen knowledge of how the key ecosystems respond to our activities will enable us to conserve and use them in a sustainable manner. It is essential that we support taxonomic studies, document our biodiversity and conduct ecological research.

The Red Data Book is a list, with photographs and descriptions, of the plant and animal species in Singapore that need their conservation status raised. The Book indicates the main reasons for rarity of these species and gives positive guidance on actions that can be taken to improve their situation. Many countries have their own Red Data Book, complementing the global list of threatened species that is maintained by IUCN World Conservation Union. Singapore's first edition of the Red Data Book was produced in 1994 and a second updated edition was published in 2008.

The book is a resource for planners, researchers, students and agencies to help plan conservation actions. It is also the basis for monitoring so that the status of species can be tracked. Its contents highlight a number of cases where the status of a species in Singapore differs from the global picture. A species that is common overseas can be very rare in Singapore. Conversely, some species threatened elsewhere, such as the Great-billed Heron and the Straw-headed Bulbul, are doing well here. Local context is very important in planning local actions. This is where Singapore's own data sources and publications are essential.

To better understand and assess the state of our marine biodiversity, NParks has embarked on a series of research projects in collaboration with different research institutions and interest groups to study, document and monitor our marine natural heritage.

The study on the biodiversity and distribution of the marine sponges (an animal that comes in various colours, shapes and sizes and is rooted to one spot, very much like a plant) of Singapore with NUS is one such example. These sponges play many important roles in the coral reef ecosystem such as serving as food and providing habitats for other marine organisms. They also possess potential chemical compounds that are of interest to pharmaceutical companies. The study has recorded over 100 species of inter-tidal sponges so far, of which more than 40 are new records for Singapore, and at least one is new to science. The project is now in its second phase, targeting sub-tidal species.

Another research programme that the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, NUS and NParks are currently working on is the Singapore Mangrove Insect Project. Eleven mangrove sites in Singapore were surveyed during a one-month sampling campaign in May 2009 to document the richness of species and assess the quality of each site. The insect fauna of Singapore was found to be surprisingly diverse. During the one-month sampling, at least 10 new fly species were found, demonstrating that even in a densely populated country like Singapore, such ecological treasures can still be found.

Knowledge and awareness are pre-requisites for action, hence communication on biodiversity issues, are critical in driving public involvement. Effective communication will create greater awareness, interest in our natural heritage and instil a sense of national pride.

A variety of programmes are available for anyone wanting to be involved in nature conservation. This includes volunteering as guides at our nature areas, participating in habitat monitoring and giving a hand in reforestation projects.

Guided walks are available in places such as Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve Central Natural Reserve, Pulau Ubin Recreational Area, Kusu Island, and Pulau Semakau. These tours are run by NParks and various interest groups including The Blue Water Volunteers, Raffles Museum of Biodiversity Research and Nature Society of Singapore.

The public can also participate in biodiversity-related seminars and educational workshops conducted by organisations and interest groups such as NParks, Nature Society of Singapore, Cicada Tree Eco-place and The Leafmonkey Workshop. These varied organisations also reach out to the community by showcasing their work in environment-related events, such as Earth Day, International Day for Biological Diversity, World Environment Day, and Envirofest.

In recent years, more Singaporeans are blogging about nature and environmental issues, a sign of growing awareness of nature conservation. This trend not only allows ordinary Singaporeans to take a deeper interest in our natural heritage, but also builds a community of people who care about and act on these issues.

Initiated by NParks and launched in October 2006, the SUN Club programme is supported by a sponsorship from Singapore Press Holdings Foundation (SPH Foundation). It is a community partnership project that also involves the National Council of Social Service (NCSS) and five special schools that pioneered the programme with NParks.

SUN Club participants get to visit some of Singapore's most fascinating nature areas with trained guides: the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, Pulau Ubin, Pasir Ris Park and East Coast Park. They will bring home fond memories of Singapore's biodiversity, and gain an understanding of how theyare a critical link in the web of life.

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