S Ramesh, Evelyn Choo Channel NewsAsia 5 May 10;
SINGAPORE: Visitors to Southern Ridges will soon be able to enjoy a chorus of birds singing at dawn when a new collection of bird-attracting tree species is established.
Called the Singing Forest, it is part of the National Parks Board's (NParks) plans to enhance biodiversity within Singapore's urban areas.
Showcasing trees from 38 native tree species, the Singing Forest project aims to intensify the already high diversity of native bird species in the Southern Ridges. There are 72 species of native birds in the Southern Ridges.
To amplify these songs of nature, some two hundred trees have been planted in the area. The aim is to get more feathered friends to flock here.
NParks said care has been taken to select the native tree species from four botanical families that will provide a wide variety of suitable food sources as well as shelter and nesting areas for the native birds.
S K Ganesan, deputy director, Landscape & Arboriculture, NParks, said: "As these trees grow, they will provide either nectar, sources of food for insects, which in turn feed birds, and fruits which feed birds as well."
Comprising a 20-hectare chain of green spaces spanning the hills of Mount Faber Park, Telok Blangah Hill Park and Kent Ridge Park, the Southern Ridges was chosen to showcase the Singing Forest due to the presence of bird life already rich in the area.
NParks said urbanisation has depleted some native tree species, forcing some of the winged residents to take flight. NParks is confident the new trees will enhance the biodiversity.
"We are trying to attract those birds that are specialised fruit feeders. And one of the group of trees that we're planting here is the forest nutmeg," said Ganesan.
The cabbage-leafed tree is one such type - and its fruits are a favourite snack of the emerald dove.
The launch of the Singing Forest is another key event to celebrate the International Year of Biodiversity (IYB).
NParks said it has lined up an exciting series of activities throughout the year to raise public awareness of the rich biodiversity in Singapore.
- CNA/jy/al
Singing Forest to lure more bird species
Tree-planting project at Southern Ridges aims to draw different birds
Grace Chua, Straits Times 6 May 10;
VISITORS to the Southern Ridges will soon be serenaded by a wider variety of birds, attracted by trees from a new National Parks Board (NParks) project.
NParks has planted a variety of native trees along the sides of a forest trail in a 20ha swathe of land near Gillman Village, to attract more and different types of avian life to feed on the fruit and insects there.
In a few months, the parks authority will start guided walks and bird-watching trips as well.
This Singing Forest project, launched yesterday, is sponsored by semiconductor company ST Microelectronics under the Garden City Fund, an NParks charity. The company declined to disclose how much it gave.
It is the newest of NParks' projects at the Southern Ridges, the hilly green area stretching from West Coast Park to HarbourFront.
Last month, it launched the Sembcorp Forest of Giants, a stretch of trees that will grow to the height of 30-storey HDB blocks.
In the bird-friendly Singing Forest are trees like the cabbage-leafed nutmeg (Horsfieldia superba), with its leaves the length of a man's forearm, and mahang putih (Macaranga hypoleuca). In all, some 200 trees of 38 native species were planted starting last September. Some, like the mahang putih, are already bearing fruit, while others, like the cabbage-leafed nutmeg with its tennis ball-size fruit, will begin to do so in the next two to five years.
Their fruit, as well as insects that feed on their nectar, are expected to draw out birds like hornbills - once resident to the area but now largely gone from it - fruit pigeons and the greater racket-tailed drongo. Typically, these native birds are found deep in forested areas.
Mr S.K. Ganesan, NParks' landscape and arboriculture deputy director, who is overseeing the project, said it aimed to increase the number of Southern Ridges bird species and expand the habitats of existing ones. More than 60 species of birds already frequent the area.
Professor Leo Tan, a biologist and chairman of the Garden City Fund, said in his opening address yesterday that he hoped the project would replicate for visitors his childhood experience of waking up to birdsong.
'The Singing Forest...helps to increase the biodiversity of our tiny island, and will encourage endemic birds to entertain us,' he said.
The forest is alive with the sound of singing
Today Online 6 May 10;
Visitors to the Southern Ridges will soon be able to enjoy a wonderful chorus of birds at dawn when a new collection of tree species that draws birds is established.
It is called the Singing Forest and is part of the National Parks Board's (NParks) plans to enhance biodiversity within Singapore's urban areas.
Showcasing trees from 38 native species, the Singing Forest project aims to intensify the already high diversity of native bird species in the Southern Ridges.
NParks said care has been taken to select the native tree species from four botanical families that will provide a wide variety of suitable food sources as well as shelter and nesting areas for native birds.
Comprising a 20-hectare chain of green spaces spanning the hills of Mount Faber Park, Telok Blangah Hill Park and Kent Ridge Park, the Southern Ridges was chosen to showcase the Singing Forest due to the presence of rich birdlife in the area.
There are 72 species of native birds in the area.
The launch of the Singing Forest is another key event to celebrate the International Year of Biodiversity.
NParks has lined up a series of activities throughout the year to raise public awareness of the rich biodiversity in Singapore.
Singing Forest Launched To Boost Biodiversity In Urban Areas
Nparks Press Release 5 May 10;
Singapore, 5 May 2010 - Visitors to Southern Ridges will, in time to come, enjoy a wonderful chorus of birds singing at dawn when a new collection of bird-attracting tree species is established. Conceived to create a bird-friendly forest using regional native trees, the Singing Forest is part of the National Parks Board's (NParks) plans to enhance biodiversity within our urban areas. This project is sponsored by STMicroelectronics.
Showcasing trees from 38 native tree species that originally dominated our regional landscape before urbanisation, the Singing Forest project aims to intensify the already high diversity of native bird species in the Southern Ridges. Care has been taken to select the native tree species from four botanical families that will provide a wide variety of suitable food sources as well as shelter and nesting areas for native birds. When established, the additional planting of suitable tree species will eventually provide an opportunity for visitors to learn and appreciate the diverse collection of birds and trees in Singapore.
Professor Tommy Koh, Ambassador-at-Large, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Special Advisor, Institute of Policy Studies and the Patron of the Nature Society of Singapore, was the Guest-of-Honour at the launch of the Singing Forest today at HortPark. He applauded STMicroelectronics and the National Parks Board for this unique initiative. "Although Singapore is a small island and highly urbanised, it is still home to five times the number of species of trees as, for example, a country as large as the United Kingdom. By planting these bird-friendly trees, we will make this forest resonate with the songs of birds. This will bring joy to all who go for walks along the Southern Ridges," remarked Professor Koh.
The trees that have been planted in the Singing Forest will attract the birds in the following phases: Trees belonging to the first phase include members of the mahang tree family (Euphorbiaceae) and the bean family (Leguminosae). These trees fruit soon after planting. Their fruits are small and this would attract both small and large native bird species in the short to medium term. This will provide an immediate effect for the community to see the birth of the Singing Forest.
Trees belonging to the second phase include members of the wild nutmeg family (Myristicaceae) and forest mangosteens (Guttiferae). These trees produce larger fruits, which in turn attract larger birds. such as green pigeons, and hornbills. These trees need more time to grow and bear fruit.
In the long term, the planting of these trees will also help to regenerate the existing forest in the Southern Ridges.
The Singing Forest is made possible by STMicroelectronics, through the Garden City Fund, NParks' registered charity and IPC (Institution of Public Character). The sponsorship goes towards the costs of implementing the tree-planting project, installing educational signage and organising educational programmes for the public.
Dr Mao Bor-Yen, General Manager, Frontend Manufacturing, STMicroelectronics, said, "As a company that is constantly driving conservation efforts to reduce its carbon footprint, STMicroelectronics has for a long time now taken great pride in actively participating in local environmental initiatives. Our partnership with NParks for the Singing Forest project is an opportunity to further enhance Singapore's natural biodiversity. We are proud and delighted that the project will leave a living legacy for generations of Singaporeans to enjoy."
Said Prof Leo Tan, Chairman, Garden City Fund, "The Singing Forest project does not just help to augment and conserve our rich local biodiversity but also connects the community to our nature heritage. Community involvement is key to Singapore's long-term success in conserving our biodiversity. STMicroelectronics' sponsorship has provided an example for other companies to follow and focus on greenery as part of their corporate social responsibilities. We hope this will be one of many collaborations with other corporations to come, as we work towards creating a green city that everyone can appreciate and enjoy."
Comprising a chain of green spaces spanning the hills of Mount Faber Park, Telok Blangah Hill Park and Kent Ridge Park, the Southern Ridges was chosen to showcase the Singing Forest due to the presence of birdlife already rich in the area.
The launch of Singing Forest is another key event in celebration of the International Year of Biodiversity (IYB). NParks has lined up an exciting series of activities throughout the year to raise public awareness of the rich biodiversity in Singapore.
For updates on other IYB activities, members of the public can visit www.nparks.gov.sg/IYB2010.
