What is the state of Mangrove Conservation in Singapore?

MANGROVE ENGINEERING
Mangrove engineering has been carried out at Pulau Tekong to save last largest pristine stretch of mangroves in Singapore. This is never-before-attempted approach to coastal protection and restoration carried out by NParks. More than 1,000 mangrove trees on Pulau Tekong's north-eastern coastline are at risk from serious erosion due to boat traffic. The erosion has affected 3km of north-eastern shore, posing a threat to the 92 hectares of mangroves in Pulau Tekong which is one of the largest remaining mangrove areas in Singapore with a mature and undisturbed habitat. Even though the Tekong mangrove area is off-limits to the public, it remains an important part of Singapore's natural heritage and a source of genetic diversity. It is home to rare birds and rare mangrove species such as Tumu berau. 

Mangroove Engineering adapted from the Strait Times

Location of the Mangrove Project

PROPAGATION AND REPLANTING Seedling nursery of Pulau Semakau In Singapore, the primary agency for conservation is the National Parks Board (NParks), which was established on 6 June 1990. One of its functions is "to propagate, protect and preserve the plants and animals of Singapore" according to the National Parks Act, 1996. At the National University of Singapore, staff and students of the Raffles Museum of Biodiversity Research of the Department of Biological Sciences also help in the conservation of the rarer native plant species by germinating seeds, growing the seedlings to suitable size and distributing them to various government institutions for planting in the wild or parks.  A worker with a bag of mangroves  During the construction of the first offshore landfill at Pulau Semakau-Pulau Sakeng, a significant amount of mangroves was destroyed. The Ministry of the Environment has ensured that a similar area of mangrove was replanted when the construction was completed, and a seedling nursery was started for this purpose. EDUCATION PROGRAMMES  Staff teaching school students about the food web Anyone can learn about the importance of conservation and never poach plants and animals from protected areas. However, conservation can only succeed with education to the public. Education programs are being carried out to educate Singaporeans on Singapore's mangroves. Excursions are conducted by experts appreciation groups such as the Nature Society (Singapore). Education programmes have been initiated by the Sungei Buloh Nature Park, the Habitat Group and several schools to expose school children to the fragile habitat of the mangroves. Guidebooks are also available for more information.

What benefits does Mangroves offer to us?

Like the tropical rainforest, mangroves also offer many advantages to man and animals. In Singapore, because mangroves have shrunk in area so considerably, its very to difficult to see the advantages the mangroves offered. However we can still see the benefits mangroves offer to us in other parts of the world. 


Firstly in some parts of the world, mangroves are being used as fuelwood or charcoal. Mangroves may be used directly or after the conversion into charcoal. Rhizophora species wood have a high calorific value meaning that they produce more heat for the same weight, and are thus the major species exploited. Charcoal manufacture still occurs in Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand. For examples, managed forests are found in the Matang District and Johor River Forest Reserve in Peninsular Malaysia.

Mangrove Firewoods

Secondly mangroves are buffer zones for coastal settlements against destructive strong waves. They can dissipate or break the initial forces of the incoming waves and weaken the wave energy significantly. In this way, the coastal settlements lying behind the wall of the mangroves are protected against severe destruction and flooding. During the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunamis, mangrove forest protected some coastal villages in southern India. These villages are saved from mass destruction of properties and the severe loss of lives, unlike other coastal villages that were not fronted by the mangroves forests. 

Mangroves as buffer zone

Besides acting as buffer zones for coastal settlements, mangroves forest are able to protect the surrounding waters against pollution. The roots of the mangroves trees trap waste materials that have either been transported from rivers upstream or have been washed ashore. It provides a filtering effect by reducing the amount of pollutants flowing into the large water bodies. In addition, the soil in the mangroves forests contains bacteria that can break down the biodegradable wastes and convert them into nutrients for the mangrove forests. 

Rubbish being trapped by mangroves 

In addition, mangroves produces food for human consumption. For example the leaves of the Nipah Plams are used as thatch for 'attap' huts, the immature seed is harvested as a jellylike sweetmeat called 'attap-chee' and is a favourite in local desserts. The sap is extracted from the inflorescence and when fermented, is called 'toddy', a local alcholic drink. Commercial honey is also extracted from some mangrove areas as many of the flowers are animal-pollinated and have nectar as a reward.

Fruit of the Nipah Palm

Lastly mangroves ecosystem acts as a nursery for marine fish, shellfish and shrimps. In some places, 50-75% of commercially-caught fish, prawns and crabs spend some time in the mangroves or depend on food chains that begin in the mangroves.

Giant Mudskipper

In conclusion, the mangrove forest provides many advantages us. However, mangroves nowadays are being cleared for land or human use. The government should manage the use of mangroves before its too late.

What do you think is the best way to use the land in Bukit Timah Nature Reserve and why?

Current Land-use profile of Bukit Timah Nature Reserve:
Bukit Timah Nature Reserve has been use as a storehouse of water. Bukit Timah Nature Reserve and a few other nature reserves bounded 4 reservoirs - namely MacRitchie Reservoir, Lower Peirce Reservoir, Upper Peirce Reservoir and Upper Seletar Reservoir. When it is raining, rainwater seeps into the ground and is then channelled to nearby reservoirs. In this way, the nature reserves act as water catchment for the reservoirs. In addition, the nature reserves also ensure the quality of water in the reservoirs.


Besides being a nature reserve, nature trails has been built in Bukit Timah Nature Reserve to allow visitors to enjoy and admire the beautiful scenery of the nature reserve. There are four trails to discover and the difficulty of these trails ranges. There is also a mountain bike trail for those who wants to get around on wheels. 


The Bukit Timah Nature Reserve has also undergoes urban development. An ugly communications building dominates the summit and recent, thoughtless condominium development at the park's boundary has meant an increase in recreational visitors.




Impacts of the way we use Bukit Timah on the biodiversity living there:
With the recent urban development, Bukit Timah Nature Reserve experience several problems. One of them is soil erosion. With more condominiums being build, trees are being cleared to give way for these developments. As there are no more roots to bind the soil together, soil are being washed away by rain. This also causes animals' habitats to be destroyed forcing them to move into new territories.


Nature trails that are built also affects the surrounding environment. In the process of building them, trees have to be cleared. This causes soil erosion as there is no more roots present to hold the soil together. Serious erosion along some of the forest trails has been reported.


When trees are being cleared to allow the construction of buildings and trails, it reduces biomass as the amount of leaf litter being produced decreases. This causes the soil to become infertile and this affects the nutrient cycle. With lesser number of trees present herbivores will find it difficult to find food and shelter. The well being of carnivores which depends on the herbivores as their primary food supply is also threatened. 




Do you think we are treating the Nature Reserve in an appropriate manner? How do you think the nature reserve should be used? 
I think we are treating the Nature Reserve in an inappropriate manner. Even though we called it a nature reserves buildings etc are being build near it or in it. Nature reserves should be protected. I think we should use the nature reserve as a water catchment area as well as a place for activities such as ecotourism to be carried out. Ecotourism activities should be carried with minimum clearing of the forests. Activities such as kayaking can be introduced. Through ecotourism activities, the government can generate income while protecting the forest. This method is called sustainable management. The government should also limit the area it uses for human activities. This allow the remaining area of the forest to regenerate. 





Despite the negative effects of recent urban development in the area, the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve still stands as a microcosm of this amazing diversity. However, we still must protect it. This is one of the few primary forest left in Singapore. Thus we have to protect it before its too late.

What benefits does Bukit Timah Nature Reserve offer to Singapore?

If man doesn't learn to treat the oceans and the rain forest with respect, man will become extinct.
Peter Benchley

Bukit Timah is a hill in Singapore which stands at an altitude of 163.63 metres and is the highest point in the city-state of Singapore. Bukit Timah, which literally means "tin hill" in Malay, was identified in 1828. As much of Singapore's original vegetation had been cleared for logging and cultivation, Bukit Timah Nature Reserve should be protected as it is one of the small patch of primary rainforest left in Singapore. 

Bukit Timah Nature Reserve are homes to more than 840 flowering plants and over 500 species of animals (including butterflies). Some of these species are actually native to Singapore. With such an astonishing variety of plants, animals and insect life, the nature reserves are indeed treasure houses of Singapore's biodiversity. As Singaporeans we should be proud of it as even though Singapore is a small country, we still have quite a number of species of flora and fauna present in Singapore. These include towering trees, climbing palms, ferns, orchids, gingers and strange blooms. Hardwood trees such as seraya and meranti can also be found in the forest. The most commonly animals encountered are the Long-tailed Macaques or monkeys. 

Bukit Timah Nature Reserve is also storehouses of water. As Singapore has limited water supply, the government has to find way to increase the water supply. By having nature reserve, it is able to serve its function as a water catchment area. This increases the Singapore water supply. In this way Singapore do not have to depends on other countries for water. The nature reserves also ensure the quality of water in the reservoirs. This a cheaper method of increasing water supply in Singapore compared to desalination etc. which involves a high expenses. 

As Singapore was previously an island that was covered forest, it is essential that we protect Bukit Timah Nature Reserve. Rainforests are important as they are part of our natural heritage. Singapore is one of the only 2 cities in the world with a sizeable area of primary rainforests within its built-up area. As tropical rainforests such as the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, can only be found in the cilmates such as ours, it is important for us to protect and conserve them.

Bukit Timah Nature Reserve is also known to have some medicinal properties. Tropical rainforests such as the one we have in Singapore take hundred of years to develop. Some speceis of the plants in the rainforests have medicinal properties. If forests are cleared, some of these plants may become extinct before medicinal value is discovered. 

Lastly, as Singaporeans live a hectic lifestyle, nature reserves such as Bukit Timah Nature Reserve allows them to escape from the city lifestyle and enjoy the ambience of the beatiful nature reserve. The rainforests provide opportunities for recreational activites like hiking, bird-watching or mountain biking. It is also a place for a nature lovers to appreciate the wide variety of plants and insects that can be found in the forests. 

In summary, Bukit Timah Nature Reserve offers many things to Singapore. This things may include medicinal properties, part of our natural heritage, a place to escape when Singaporean are facing stress, home to a variety of flora and fauna and lastly its also serve as a water catchment areas. As we can see that Bukit Timah Nature Reserve offers a great deal of things, we should conserve it before the remaining forest in Singapore is cleared.