05 October 2010

30 Oct (Sat): Public Forum on Biodiversity - Singapore's plant and freshwater biodiversity

To celebrate International Year of Biodiversity, the Singapore Institute of Biology (SIBiol) and Science Centre Singapore presents this Public Forum on Biodiversity.
What biological, medical and bioengineering lessons can we glean from plants? Does Singapore still have interesting freshwater life? Find out at these talks by Dr. Benito C. Tan and Dr. Darren Yeo which promise to be fun and educational!

The Lessons Learned from the Study of Plant Biodiversity: the Case of Bryophytes (Mosses, Liverworts and Hornworts)
Dr. Benito C. Tan
Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore

Study of plant biodiversity does not restrict to the counting of number of genera and species in a locality, nor does it focus only on the description of species. Humans have learned a lot of biological, medical and bioengineering lessons from the study of plant biodiversiy and benefited from such biological studies. Using the three taxonomic classess of bryophytes as examples, the valuable lessons learnt from the study of the biodiversity of this group of plants will be presented and illustrated. The ecological importance of bryophytes in the proper functioning of natural ecosystems on earth will also be discussed.


Freshwater Animal Diversity in Singapore
Dr. Darren Yeo
Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore

Much of Singapore’s original freshwater environment has been lost or modified. Hence, it might surprise some to learn that our freshwaters continue to support an impressive diversity of plants and animals including some rare and highly endangered species unique to the country. This talk will highlight some of the interesting animal diversity of various freshwater habitats in Singapore. We will also look at the ecological roles of these animals, the ecosystem services they contribute to, and conservation and management challenges they are faced with.

The event is free but registration is required at http://www.sibiol.org.sg/

Date: 30 Oct (Sat)
Time: 10am - 12pm
Venue: Maxwell Auditorium, Singapore Science Centre

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