Mangrove forests are one of the most productive habitat type in the world. They can sequester carbon, protect coastlines, and support high biodiversity. They are also widely distributed across the tropical coastlines of the world. I am sure most of us have encountered them before, but have you ever wondered what characteristics define a mangrove? Join Dr. Gretchen Coffman and my project group on the GE3255 Aquatic, Riparian and Coastal Systems field trip to Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve as we uncover the quintessential characteristics of a mangrove!
GE3255 Aquatic, Riparian and Coastal Systems
Restoring Singapore's Mangrove and River Ecosystems
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Figure 1. We saw a group being educated on the harms of illegal feeding. Taken by Dr. Gretchen Coffman
Curious about rivers, especially since there seem to be none that are natural in Singapore? If so, the restored Kallang River at Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park is an excellent place to visit! Following restoration, you can expect greater flood control, richer biodiversity, improved water quality, and more!
Figure 1: View of GE3255 students measuring flow in the Kallang River
(Photo credit: Lee Yi Hui)
Close your eyes and think about Singapore, what is the first image that comes to mind? Despite, holding the title of a City in Nature, many results when you Google ‘Singapore’ are pictures of skyscrapers and the unique Marina Bay Sands skyline. Therefore, the importance of nature and river restoration stood out to me on my NUS GE3255 Aquatic, Riparian and Coastal Systems class field trip in September 2023 as it served multiple purposes including flood management, ecosystem restoration, enhancing of biodiversity, and recreational green spaces. Let me bring you on a tour to Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park! Kallang River, which was once a concrete canal, is now a meandering stream with lush greenery and teeming biodiversity that is integrated into the surrounding residential areas (Figure 1).
Canalisation is used to manage floods however we now know that canalisation can increase the risk of floods if the canals are not sufficiently large. PUB worked with NParks to remove concrete and expose the surface below to sunlight and restore a section of Kallang River in BAMK to a more naturalised state. The restored river ecosystem provides a diversity of benefits for man and the main benefit is the reduced impact of floods resulting from heavy rainfall. This is a remarkable start for Singapore as our rivers are mostly canalised. This area is a great site to visit as people can learn about the importance of naturalising canals while enjoying recreational activities in BAMK, just as my class did on our NUS GE3255 Aquatic, Riparian and Coastal Systems field trip in September 2023.
Concrete Canal to Wildlife Wonderland: BAMK Park’s Success Story
Ever wondered if it was possible to have wildlife roaming freely in bustling cities such as Singapore? Well, the answer is yes! If you have yet to visit Bishan – Ang Mo Kio (BAMK) park, this is a sign for you to do so! With careful planning and a budget of US$60 million through the Active, Beautiful, Clean (ABC) Waters Programme, BAMK park transformed from an ordinary park beside a canal into an integrated space, featuring a river which runs through a park! Thanks to this restoration, the once lost wildlife has been slowly reappearing in our urban landscape.
Figure 1: floodplains along the river
(Photo by Tan Jay Len)
During my GE3255 field trip, we explored the riverbanks of the Kallang River, which was lined with thick and lush plant growth! These riparian plants are specially adapted to thrive in these conditions, where they face constant flow from the water. These plants help to trap sediments and absorb excess nutrients from the water, allowing the Kallang River to be sparkling clean – while still being able to control erosion by absorbing energy from the water! We also had the chance to sample the water and soil quality, learning about important qualities such as dissolved oxygen. We also took measurements for trees such as diameter breast height, as well as canopy cover!
Figure 2: Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea) – Native, IUCN Least Concern
(Photo by Tan Jay Len)
Figure 3: Spotted Tilapia (Pelmatolapia mariae) – Invasive, IUCN Least Concern
(Photo credits: Dr Gretchen Coffman, 12 Sep 2023)
As the basis of life on Earth, plants are at the base of the food web of all natural ecosystems, providing organic matter for invertebrates which fish consume. In the pristine waters, tilapia populations, though non-native and invasive, boom in the river (fig 3). It is a common sight to spot hundreds of them when looking down into the water! Combined with an abundance of food amongst the vegetation, birds such as the grey heron (fig 2) can be seen foraging or resting in the waters too.
Figure 4: Smooth-coated otters (Lutrogale perspicillata) along the Kallang River in BAMK park – Native, IUCN vulnerable
(Photo by Jeff Tan)
Aren’t they cute? As cute as they may seem, otters are apex predators in the freshwater ecosystem. The return of these native otters in this restored river system shows just how successful restoration has been in purifying and cleaning up the waterways in Singapore, such that there is an abundance of prey and an ideal habitat for otters to return! If you are lucky enough, you might spot them hanging out in the park!
Imagine if every canal in Singapore could look like a natural river ecosystem teeming with life, with pristine water quality while still being able to serve its primary purpose of water transportation and flood control. That should be Singapore’s goal, to continuously restore our concrete canals back to their original state way before humans lived here!
Rising sea levels, extreme weather conditions, fluctuating and unpredictable temperatures – just as the world seems like it is on the verge of destruction, here come mangroves to save the day! Right here in Singapore, in Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve (SBWR), our mangroves are the unsung heroes protecting us from the rising sea levels. Sungei Buloh covers more than 100 hectares, and is one the only mangrove ecosystems left in mainland Singapore.
Figure 1: Mangrove Boardwalk at Sungei Buloh attached to the Wetland Centre allows visitors to observe mangroves (Map Source: NParks)
The land and sea are drastically different entities. What happens when they clash along the coastlines? Harsh conditions ensue – tidal action, high water salinity, oxygen-poor soils, unstable mud and flooding risks. However, the mangrove ecosystem thrives at these intertidal zones. What are the special adaptations that make mangroves so resilient and important? We explored the mangroves of Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve (SBWR) with our NUS GE3255 Aquatic, Riparian and Coastal Systems class in September 2023 (Figure 1).
In this technologically-advanced society, many Singaporeans, including myself, tend to forget about the nature that extends beyond us because we are so engrossed in our screens. Even right now as I am blogging, I am staring at my laptop screen! Thankfully, our NUS GE3255 Aquatic, Riparian and Coastal systems fieldtrip to Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve (SBWR) filled with mangroves and luscious trees was a much-needed and timely breather!
In 2022, Singapore faced a costly year due to climate change disasters, reaching a staggering S$160 billion in losses. Floods were the most damaging events. To tackle this problem, smart building solutions in close collaboration with nature can make a huge difference. By investing smartly, we can save 160 billion dollars annually, making it a clear win. Let me tell you how!
Thinking of what family activity to do this weekend? What about bringing some bread to feed fish and chickens at your local park? NO! Did you know there is up to a $10,000 fine for anyone caught feeding wildlife anywhere in Singapore? Here is a cheaper and better way to mix fun and learning for your little ones that do not harm the environment!
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