I had so much fun at the Singapore Botanic Gardens field trip on the 5^th of February 2022! That is a com-peat (‘complete’) understatement to describe my joy in discovering the stark and unusual world of flora that thrives in the acidic soils of the swampy forest. Whenever I think of freshwater swamp forest (FWSF), I am reminded of the last remaining patch of primary FWSF, the Nee Soon Swamp Forest (NSSF) which occupies a mere 0.87 km² and home to many endemic species such as the Reticulated Swamp Crab, (Parathelphusa reticulata) and the recently discovered Singapore Firefly, Luciola singapura.  FWSF used to occupy 16% of primeval Singapore’s land but today, it is occupies only a minuscule 0.39%. FWSF are well-known for their environmental benefits in peat accumulation and as carbon sink. Regionally, they have been cleared and used for their rich, fertile soil to grow oil palms plantations. It takes millenniums for peat to form in wetlands conditions. It’s a shame that in the past century, vast areas of FWSF have been cleared for development or drained for oil palm plantations. The field trip, however, has invigorated me with hope in conservation and restoration knowing that there are other FWSF in Singapore! To swamp you with the joy of conservation, the Gardens by the Bay has announced a new freshwater wetland too!

Continue reading