Studying Singapore

Located on the southern end of the Malay Peninsula, the Republic of Singapore, is a unique area to analyze biodiversity. Most tropical areas are rich in biodiversity and species richness, and while Singapore has tens of thousands of land and marine species (NParks, 2018), it also has little remaining of the original plant and animal species (Britannica, 2020).

Image from Britannica. 


At almost 280 square miles, situated close to the equator, the climate is tropical, giving way to “... uniformly high temperatures and nearly constant precipitation throughout the year” (Britannica, 2020). In fact, the area receives so much rain, the country has developed catchment areas for the rain to collect and allows the country to use alternatively and when needed. 

Image from PUB; Singapore’s National Water Agency. 


With over 5.6 million people, the mostly urban environment doesn’t leave many natural places for plants and animals to call home. The image below shows the green vegetation areas in comparison to the grey buildings. 

Image from Data. 


Despite a more urbanized environment, the country is working hard to use their green spaces the best they can and developing new strategies to include nature. A major highway created habitat fragmentation by dividing two nature preserves and the country has connected the protected lands with animal land bridges (Chua, 2015). This is one example necessary when working with a large population of people wanting to protect and conserve the local species within a small landmass. Chua adds that the planting of native plants along the sides of roads, canals, and even buildings will increase biodiversity and opportunities to connect people to the nature around them (2015). Incorporating nature into everyday sights can connect people to their environments strengthening their desire to save what they see.


The idea of urban biodiversity is what has intrigued me about Singapore. My initial thoughts about Singapore were the common pictures you find if you do a Google search; lots of buildings, a major marine port hub, and a melting pot of Asian culture and Western settlement. Singapore is a country with a lot of money, a high life expectancy rate and low infant mortality (Britannica, 2020). However, when I found out the Sunda pangolins are found in Singapore, I was interested to learn more. Pangolins are the most illegally trafficked mammal in the world right now and their major threat in Singapore is habitat loss followed up with being hit by cars from crossing the streets (WRS, 2020). The Singaporeans have the financial resources to help promote and conserve biodiversity and are doing so when they can. The animal land bridge, or eco-link, is helping the pangolins and other animals reach the fragmented sides of the forest without the risk of being hit by cars. 


 Image from The Straits Times. 


I think it is exciting to understand the importance of biodiversity can have in our everyday lives and Singapore is setting a great example of this. They are showing people that they can care about nature and the plants and animals that live right outside their doorsteps by seeing them on the commute to work, on your way to the airport, or while visiting the local zoo. Also teaching people the impact they can have by helping to conserve biodiversity, like with the endangered pangolins that live in the local rainforest. The tropical climate of Singapore gives it some biological advantage in the way of species richness, we just need to learn how we can all live together and protect what we see.



Resources 


Chua, G. (2015). How Singapore Makes Biodiversity an Important Part of Urban Life. CityLab. Available at https://www.citylab.com/environment/2015/01/how-singapore-makes-biodiversity-an-important-part-of-urban-life/384799/

 

Gaw, L.Y., Yee, A.T.K., and Richards, D.R. (2019). A High Resolution Map of Singapore’s Terrestrial Ecosystems. Data 4(3), 116. https://doi.org/10.3390/data4030116

 

NParks (2018). Wildlife in Singapore. National Parks Board. Available at https://www.nparks.gov.sg/biodiversity/wildlife-in-singapore

 

Tan, A. (2017). Mandai Eco-Link: All you need to know about the wildlife bridge. The Straits Times. Available at straitstimes.com/singapore/environment/mandai-eco-link-how-wildlife-crossing-works  


Wildlife Reserves Singapore (2020). Understanding local sunda Pangolins. Available at https://www.wrs.com.sg/en/protecting-wildlife/conservation/our-work/understanding-local-sunda-pangolins.html

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