Two-year project to survey Bukit Timah reserve's flora and fauna to start in March

FENG ZENGKUN Straits Times 14 Feb 15;

SINGAPORE - Singapore will be conducting a year-long survey of the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve's animals and plants starting from March, and the results will be published in March 2017.

The comprehensive effort is timely as the last time the reserve was surveyed on a similar scale was almost 20 years ago, between 1993 and 1997, said the National Parks Board (NParks) on Saturday.

"The findings will provide us with a sound basis for the systematic long-term monitoring and management of the reserve, and help us ensure a sustainable nature reserve for future generations to enjoy," said Minister of State for National Development Desmond Lee at an event.

The survey will include NParks staff, scientists from academic institutions and people with expertise in some of the wildlife. It will focus on key groups of animals and plants that are crucial to the rainforest ecosystem, such as mammals, reptiles, butterflies, fishes, spiders, birds, amphibians, dragonflies and aquatic invertebrates. The work will also include the reserve's primary forest, which includes one of the largest forest patches in Singapore that has never been cleared by people.

Researchers and experts who were involved in the 1993-1997 survey will also be roped in. They include Mr Khew Sin Khoon, an architect who is an avid butterfly enthusiast and photographer. He is also author of the book, Field Guide To The Butterflies Of Singapore.

The reserve has at least 40 per cent of Singapore's native flora despite occupying only 0.2 per cent of its land. It is home to more than 840 species of flowering plants and more than 500 species of animals, including the rare and native ones like the Singapore Freshwater Crab.

On Saturday, MND's Mr Lee also launched a new coffee table book, Rainforest in a City, which was written by NParks volunteer Dr Chua Ee Kiam and published by the agency. Mr Lee also planted a tree as part of reforestation efforts at the new Windsor Nature Park, will be opened in 2016.

Bukit Timah reserve's flora and fauna to be surveyed
Feng Zengkun The Straits Times AsiaOne 15 Feb 15;

Nearly 20 years after the last major survey of Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, one of Singapore's most important ecological oases will come under scrutiny again.

A two-year project to survey the reserve's plant and animal life will begin next month, with the results expected to be published in 2017.
The findings will be used for the long-term management of the reserve, which has at least 40 per cent of Singapore's native flora and fauna despite occupying only 0.2 per cent of the island.

"The findings will provide us with a sound basis for the systematic long-term monitoring and management of the reserve, and help us ensure a sustainable nature reserve for future generations to enjoy," said Minister of State for National Development Desmond Lee, who announced the project yesterday.

The new effort is timely as the last time the reserve was surveyed on a similar scale was almost 20 years ago, between 1993 and 1997, said the National Parks Board (NParks).

The reserve is home to more than 840 species of flowering plants and more than 500 species of animals, including rare and native ones like the Singapore freshwater crab.

Public access to the reserve has been limited since last year for workers to carry out repair and restoration works.

The survey will focus on key groups of animals and plants that are crucial to the rainforest ecosystem.

It will also involve researching the reserve's primary forest, which includes one of the largest forest patches in Singapore that has never been cleared by people.

The project will involve NParks staff, scientists from academic institutions and people with expertise in some of the wildlife.

Researchers and experts involved in the 1990s survey will be roped in. They include Mr Khew Sin Khoon, an architect who is an avid butterfly enthusiast and photographer. He is also author of the Field Guide To The Butterflies Of Singapore.

Nature Society president Shawn Lum, who helped to survey primary forest tree species in the reserve in the 1990s work, plans to study the younger trees and saplings this time around to see if the forest is regenerating itself. He has already been doing this work as part of his own research with the National Institute of Education.

"This survey will be better than the last one as there are more people involved, and those returning have also become more experienced. The 1990s project was more of a warm-up," he said.

NParks to start 2-year survey of Bukit Timah Nature Reserve
AsiaOne 14 Feb 15;
SINGAPORE - The National Parks Board (NParks) will be conducting a two-year-long biodiversity survey of Bukit Timah Nature Reserve (BTNR) in March this year.

This is to better understand the conservation status and distribution of plants and animals in the 163-hectare reserve, said NParks in a statement released on Saturday.

NParks staff, scientists from academic institutions and individuals with knowledge of some of the taxonomic groups will be undertaking the survey.

The BTNR survey will focus on key groups of animals such as mammals, reptiles, butterflies, fishes, spiders, birds, amphibians, dragonflies, and aquatic invertebrates and plants that are integral to the rainforest ecosystem.

Previously, ad-hoc research and surveys on varied species were carried out by different researchers, organisations and NParks.

NParks said that this new survey will build upon past findings, as well as the information found from a 1993 survey.

To facilitate continuity and comparability of data, researchers and experts in the field who were involved in the 1993 survey will be involved in this new survey.

The results from this survey will be used for long-term monitoring and management of BTNR which contains at least 40 per cent of Singapore's native flora and fauna.

The BTNR is home to more than 840 flowering plants and over 500 species of animals, which include rare and native species such as the Singapore Freshwater Crab, the Colugo and the Straw-headed Bulbul.

NParks added that the last time a survey of similar scale was conducted some 20 years ago between 1993 and 1997.

Results of the new survey will be published in March 2017.

New nature park at Upper Thomson to be ready by end 2016
Eileen Poh Channel NewsAsia 14 Feb 15;

SINGAPORE: The 75-hectare Windsor Nature Park at Upper Thomson will be ready by end-2016, with works for the site expected to start by the middle of this year, the National Parks Board (NParks) said in a statement issued on Saturday (Feb 14).

The area is currently a forested plot of land, bounded by Venus Drive and Island Club Road. It is also adjacent to private homes at Venus Road and serves as one of the entrances to the Central Catchment Nature Reserve.

The park is one of the four new nature parks which will serve as buffers to the Central Catchment Nature Reserve. The other three include Springleaf, which opened to the public in November 2014, Chestnut and Thomson Nature Parks. NParks said works for the Chestnut Nature Park have commenced in 2014, and the park will be completed by end-2016, while plans for Thomson Nature Park are still in early stages.

These parks will help to "reduce visitorship pressure on the nature reserves," said NParks, by providing "alternative venues" for the public to enjoy nature-related activities

Enhancement works at the park include the building of boardwalks to complement the existing trails, NParks said. The total trail length in the park will also be expanded to 4.1km, and reforestation will be carried out.

Minister of State for National Development Desmond Lee said: "Apart from being places for recreation and exercise, and some romantic hand-holding on a moonlit night, nature parks serve as green buffers for the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve as well as the Central Catchment Nature Reserve, in the sense that they help to reduce visitorship pressure on the core nature reserves by providing alternative green spaces for people to visit."

The plans are part of the Government's approach to strengthen biodiversity conservation in Singapore's nature reserves. To this end, Mr Lee announced that NParks would be starting a two-year comprehensive biodiversity survey in March for the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve.

The last time a survey of similar scale, covering the entire 163-hectare nature reserve, was conducted was nearly two decades ago between 1993 and 1997.

Bukit Timah Nature Reserve is home to 840 flowering plants and over 500 species of animals. These include rare and native species such as the Singapore Freshwater Crab and the Colugo.

NParks, which will be leading the surveying team comprising scientists from local academic institutions and volunteers with professional knowledge of some of the species, said results from the survey will help them better manage the reserve.

Dr Lena Chan, director of NParks' National Biodiversity Centre, said: "For example, areas that have animals that are more sensitive to the public, then it's an area where it is best that we don't have so many visitors.

"And areas where we find that the species are more people-friendly, then we can allow for more visitors to go to those areas. Hence the survey allows us to say, these are the areas where you have trails, these are the areas where there might not be so many trails."

The survey will extend into the primary forest core, which contains one of the largest forest patches in Singapore that has never been cleared by man.

Results of the survey will be shared in the second quarter of 2017. Information from this latest survey will help NParks to continue to "sensitively manage" the nature reserve, first established in 1883, NParks said.

- CNA/rw/al

NParks to Start New Comprehensive Survey of BTNR
Nparks News Release

14 February 2015 – Today, Minister of State for National Development, Desmond Lee announced that the National Parks Board (NParks) will be starting a two year comprehensive biodiversity survey in March 2015, to better understand the conservation status and distribution of plants and animals in the 163-hectare Bukit Timah Nature Reserve (BTNR). The last time a survey of similar scale, covering the entire BTNR, was conducted was some 20 years ago between 1993 and 1997. Information gathered from this latest survey will help NParks to continue to sensitively manage this ASEAN Heritage Park, which was first established as a Nature Reserve in 1883.

This survey will be undertaken by NParks staff, scientists from academic institutions and individuals with domain knowledge of some of the taxonomic groups. The BTNR Survey will focus on key groups of animals and plants that are integral to the rainforest ecosystem. For animals, these include mammals, reptiles, butterflies, fishes, spiders, birds, amphibians, dragonflies, and aquatic invertebrates. The survey will extend into the primary forest core, which contains one of the largest forest patches in Singapore that has never been cleared by man. HSBC has pledged a donation and staff volunteers' support for the survey.

Over the years, ad-hoc research and surveys on varied species have been carried out by different researchers, organisations and NParks, allowing for substantial knowledge and expertise to be built up for the various taxonomic groups. This new survey will build upon this knowledge, as well as the baseline information gleaned from the 1993 Survey. It will delve deeper, focusing on interactions between a larger variety of taxonomic groups and harness new technology such as updated GIS for analysis.

To facilitate continuity and comparability of data, researchers and experts in the field who were involved in the 1993 Survey will be involved in this new survey. The results from this survey will be used for systematic long-term monitoring and management of BTNR which contains at least 40% of Singapore’s native flora and fauna even though it occupies only 0.2% of its land area.

BTNR is home to more than 840 flowering plants and over 500 species of animals. This includes rare and native species such as the Singapore Freshwater Crab (Johora singaporensis), the Colugo (Galeopterus variegatus) and the Straw-headed Bulbul (Pycnonotus zeylanicus).

New Coffee Table Book “Rainforest in a City”

Many of the animals found in BTNR were featured in a new coffee table book launched by Mr Lee today. Published by NParks and written by Dr Chua Ee Kiam, an active NParks volunteer and passionate nature writer-photographer, the “Rainforest in a City” is a 200-page book that showcases the habitats and unique biodiversity of BTNR and CCNR. Featuring some 477 photographs taken by Dr Chua and his team of over a hundred photographers and contributors, the book provides interesting details of more than 200 species of animals and more than 80 species of plants. The book highlights many species that have rarely, if ever, been photographed before. In celebration of Singapore’s golden jubilee, a special section pays tribute to plants and animals that are named after Singapore, or found only here. (See Media Factsheet – Coffee Table Book: Rainforest in a City for more information)

Mr Lee shared, “Flipping through this book, I was captivated by the myriad of fascinating plants and animals captured through the lenses of Dr Chua and his photography buddies. This is photographic evidence of the rich biodiversity that exists in our nature reserves. … It is timely to embark on another survey of our nature reserves now. I am happy to announce that NParks has initiated the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve Comprehensive Survey, which will be carried out over two years beginning this March. … The findings will form a sound basis for systematic long-term monitoring and management of the nature reserve, and help us to ensure a sustainable nature reserve for future generations to enjoy.” (to check against delivery)

Planting trees as part of reforestation efforts for the new Windsor Nature Park

The announcement of the new BTNR Survey was made at a reforestation activity at the site of the new 75-hectare Windsor Nature Park. Together with grassroots advisor Hri Kumar and some 200 residents, NParks volunteers and school students, Mr Lee planted 100 trees to enhance the forest habitat there. Works on the new nature park will commence in mid-2015 and be completed in late 2016.

The current 75-hectare site is largely forested and rich in biodiversity. It serves as a habitat to many animals, both native and migratory. These include frogs, squirrels, dragonflies and damselflies. The freshwater streams in Venus Drive are also home to many native species such as the Malayan Forest Betta (Betta pugnax), the Common Barb (Puntius binotatus) and the Tree Fern (Cyathea latebrosa).

The intent is to sensitively enhance the forest habitats and restore existing trails. One such enhancement will be the inclusion of boardwalks to complement existing trails. Basic amenities such as restrooms and shelters will also be provided. (See Media Factsheet – Windsor Nature Park for more information)

Windsor Nature Park is one of four new nature parks which will serve as green buffers to the CCNR. These parks will help to reduce visitorship pressure on the nature reserves by providing interesting alternative venues for the public to enjoy nature-related activities. The development of these nature parks is part of a holistic approach to conserve the biodiversity in Singapore’s nature reserves.

The other three new nature parks that were recently announced to serve as buffers to the CCNR are Springleaf, Chestnut and Thomson Nature Parks. Springleaf Nature Park was officially opened in November 2014. Works for the new 80-hectare Chestnut Nature Park have commenced since the end of year, and the park will be completed by the third quarter of 2016. Plans for Thomson Nature Park are still in the early stages, and will be shared at a later date.