“Crocodiles in Singapore? No way!” is what I would have said prior to coming down to the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve (SBWR) on a field trip with my NUS GE3255 Aquatic, Riparian and Coastal systems class. Yet, there they were: lurking in the murky (or turbid, as I have learnt to describe it) waters of SBWR’s mangrove ecosystems.

An estuarine crocodile, Crocodylus porosus, lurking in the waters of SBWR (Image: Dr Gretchen Coffman)

While crocodiles were a highlight of the trip, they were far from the only interesting creatures SBWR had to show on our field trip. As one of Singapore’s four nature reserves, SBWR is home to a rich mangrove ecosystem with an equally impressive biodiversity. It’s home to almost half of all true mangrove species in the world, and is an important stop over point on the East Asian Australasian flyway. Between August and April every year, shorebirds stop by SBWR on their long migratory journeys along the flyway. These flocks of birds feed and rest in the wetlands and are followed closely another flock- of birdwatchers and photographers, all eager to catch sight of these spectacular birds!

A little egret, Egretta garzetta, captured by one of SBWR’s bird uncles- the passionate birders who hang around SBWR’s birding huts to catch shots like these! (Image: Ho Sze Koy)

We were also treated to sightings of different species of insects, fish, and reptiles during our trip. None of us were experts at species identification, but with the help of iNaturalist, we were able to get identifications of the species in the rich biodiversity we saw. Being able to identify these species not only made them so much more memorable to us, but also allowed us to dig deeper to learn more about them, and was an important part of our learning process during the trip.

iNaturalist identification and entry of a Mangrove Jewel Bug we observed. (Image: Ho Sze Koy)

With every trip I make down to Singapore’s nature reserves, I find myself not only learning more about nature, but also developing a keener interest and connection with it. This SBWR trip was no different. Yet, the SBWR we see today is the result of years of environmental degradation, primarily from prawn farming. Its status as a reserve does not exempt it from certain threats, either. Agricultural runoff with enriched nutrients from surrounding farms can leak into its tidal sloughs and creeks at high tides, and sea level rise threatens the entire ecosystem.

Large swathes of SBWR are predicted to be submerged as sea levels rise. (Image: Ho Sze Koy)

I learned from this field trip the importance of not only continuing to protect the reserve, but also work to restore the damage done in the past. Reforestation of mangrove species should be done on areas still bearing the scars of prawn farming. Nature-based coastal reinforcement can be employed to protect the ecosystem from the effects of sea level rise. Agricultural runoff in the region should be managed, as Singapore Food Agency aims to intensify agricultural output just meters from SBWR. Done properly, these restoration and protection measures can ensure that SBWR continues to support a high diversity of wildlife we saw on the field trip and support many other ecosystem services, and as a site of learning, and recreation for all.