Muddied Waters Run Deep – Singapore Wetlands
Muddied Waters: About Wetlands and Mangroves in Singapore
by Kelly Wu
When we think of planet Earth, we see the big blue ocean and the large masses of land, which we think of as the seven continents. Do you know that there are many in-betweens? This article talks about one of such in-betweens – wetlands.
Wetlands are low-lying areas with saturated soils covered in water for all or part of the year. Depending on the climate and location, they can vary widely in temperature and salinity. They also come in different forms – marsh, fen, peatlands, mangroves etc. According to Miller (2002), coastal wetlands are some of the earth’s most productive ecosystems. They are also important breeding grounds to many species, act as filters for coastal waters, and are important as flood protection for coastal areas. To better protect wetlands, especially those of international importance, the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance a.k.a. the Ramsar Convention was set up. This convention provides the framework for national action and international cooperation for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources.
Does Singapore have wetlands, you may ask. The answer is a resounding yes! Our wetlands are largely found in the form of mangroves. These are tropical rainforests growing under the direct influence of seawater, along sheltered shores. Click here to read more about mangroves in Singapore.
The most famous of our wetlands is probably Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve (SBWR) which has been gazetted as a Nature Reserve, the highest official protection that can be given to a nature place here. SBWR was also recognized as a site of international importance for migratory birds by Wetlands International. Other than SBWR, Singapore also has patches of mangroves in Pasir Ris, Pulau Ubin, Mandai etc. Those with park facilities and walkways (like Sungei Buloh and Pasir Ris) tend to be more accessible to public. Unless you fancy wading in the mud!
The mangroves in Singapore are a convenient and interesting research area for scientists and educators. Even Sir David Attenborough and the BBC team visited SBWR while making the Life in Cold Blood series! Many fascinating species live in the mangroves. One such creature is the horseshoe crab which scientist called a “living fossil” because fossils of horseshoe crabs over 400 million years old look almost identical to the species alive today. The blood of a horseshoe crab is also important to biomedical research as it is found that a purified version can help detect bacterial toxins. And there are bigger animals living in our mangroves too, such as otters!
So the next time you have no idea what to do on a weekend, head down to visit some of Singapore’s delightful nature – the mangroves.
