New to science, found in Singapore!

Can you find species new to science in Singapore? Along the boardwalk? YES!

This new species of cricket was found along the Chek Jawa boardwalk! It was named after Chek Jawa too! It is called Svistella chekjawa. More critters new to science and given names associated with Singapore in the latest issue of the Raffles Bulletin of Zoology 60(2): 241–598. 31 August 2012

Singapore's living forests, reefs, seashores and more!

What lives in our forests? The latest issue of My Green Space, published by NParks, shares more on this and other fascinating work done for Singapore's biodiversity.

What happens during the quiet orgy in our waters when Singapore's corals mass spawn? Also more about Singapore's first marine expedition and the fabulous new book on Singapore's caterpillars!

Launch of Private Lives: Rainforest and the DNA website

Last week, a new book ‘Private Lives: An Exposé of Singapore’s Rainforests’ was launched by the Raffles Museum of Biodiversity Research.

Here's more about the launch from the RMBR News blog.

Have a Crabby National Day!

Singapore freshwater crab;
(Photo by David Maitland, from A Guide to Freshwater Life in Singapore)

It's National Day, and I thought that it would be appropriate to highlight some very special fellow Singaporeans.

Where it comes to food, chilli crab has got to be one of our favourite local dishes. And given that it was created here, it certainly is a serious contender for Singapore's national dish.


(Photo by ladyironchef)

The crabs that we most commonly consume in Singapore are the various species of mud crabs (Scylla spp.), with flower crabs (Portunus pelagicus) coming in a distant second. Both kinds of crab are regularly encountered on many of our shores, especially in shallow waters with muddy or sandy seabeds.


Mud crab, Pulau Pawai;


Flower crab, Pulau Sekudu;
(Photos by Ria Tan)

However, did you know that we have some very special crabs? They're way too small to be eaten, but that doesn't mean that they don't deserve attention from fellow Singaporeans.

Singapore's cool colugos: why they glide

Studying Singapore's colugos, researchers including our very own Norman Lim have discovered why these animals glide.

Although called flying lemurs, these creatures are not lemurs and they don't fly!

My Green Space: hornbills, helicopters and more!

Lots of exciting developments and interesting stories in the latest issue of My Green Space Issue 10 Vol 3/2011.

In the lead story Hornbill Happenings: Surprises From Nature learn more about what is happening with our Oriental pied hornbills!

No longer extinct: a swamp forest palm! And more!

Lots of new articles in Nature in Singapore with fascinating finds and insights.

A palm of the swamp forest, Salacca affinis was considered extinct in Singapore. Adrian Loo's discovery of this palm  in the Nee Soon Swamp Forest "establishes its status from “extinct” in Singapore to “critically endangered”. He discusses the extreme vulnerability of this palm species "in relation to its habitat and only known locality, the freshwater swamp forest in Nee Soon, which is the last of its kind in Singapore." Read more in: Loo, A. H. B., 2011. Rediscovery in Singapore of Salacca affinis Griff. (Arecaceae). Nature in Singapore, 4: 123–126. [PDF, 300 KB]. And also in Adrian Loo's blog.

Mangroves: the "most carbon rich forests in the tropics"

Mangroves store more carbon that almost any other forest on Earth! Let's celebrate mangroves together with other forests, in this International Year of the Forest 2011!

Mangrove forest at Kranji Nature Trail

A recent study found that mangroves store up to FOUR times more carbon per acre than most other tropical forests around the world. How do mangroves do this?

Forest Biodiversity: a new booklet

Check out this new booklet (pdf) with lots of information about forests worldwide!
A great resource for those wanting to learn more and do more for our forests. The booklet is issued by the Convention on Biological Diversity in preparation for 22 May International Day for Biological Diversity.

A child speaks for the forests

A child speaks for the children: about forests, monkeys and mosquitoes.

Why is there so little action among adults? And what can be done? In a hard-hitting speech at the UN, 13-year old Felix speaks up.

Our Forests in February!

International Year of the Forest was officially launched earlier this month with the unveiling of the "State of the World's Forests" report by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization.

What is the state of forests worldwide? And how can we learn more about Singapore's own forests?

Flora Singapura - a new resource on Singapore's plants

The first new resource in 2011! Flora Singapura aims to overcome "the terse technical descriptions" found in botanical texts. And instead describe the identifying field characters using photographs and commentary.
Awesome! This is just what ordinary wannabe botanists desperately need!

Keeping our monkeys wild: upcoming talk and walk

Monkeys are among the highlights of a trip to our forests and wild places!

Unfortunately, there are many challenges facing these Long-tailed macaques (Macaca fascicularis). Much of these issues are due to people feeding them.

This coming week, there is a talk about our monkeys and Crystal's Monkey Walk at Bukit Timah is launched! Find out more about why we should not feed our monkeys and how we can play our part to keep them wild!

2011 is International Year of Forests!

With the theme of “Forests for People”, 2011 is designated International Year of Forests and will celebrate the central role of people in our world’s forests.
The elements in the design depict some of the many values of forests and the need for a 360‐degree perspective. Forests provide shelter to people and biodiversity; provide food, medicine and clean water; and a vital role in global climate and environment. More on the official International Year of Forests website.

20 and 27 Nov (Sat): A Walk with Your Neighbours: The Macaques of Bukit Timah

Learn more about the misunderstood macaques in our forests.

Just like us, they have family networks, power struggles, friends and enemies. This walk is led by by resident primatologist Dr Michael Gumert, who also teaches at Nanyang Technological University.

Rainforest in the City to be bigger and better!

Did you know that there is a real primary rainforest just minutes from Orchard Road? It's at the Botanic Gardens! The 1889 Gardens’ catalogue described it: ‘With one or two exceptions, this is the only piece of original jungle left on the island ... It gives the visitors some idea of the wonderful richness of tropical vegetation.’
This 6 hectare primary rain forest will now be expanded to include a 9.8 hectare Learning Forest to showcase the best of tropical trees. Through thematic walks, visitors will be able to see giant trees, a conservation collection of rare fruit and nut species and a bamboo garden. National Development Minister Mah Bow Tan announced this at the opening of the 'Wealth of the Rain Forest' exhibition at the Singapore Botanic Gardens on Friday morning.

Tiger orchids, Otters on Orchard Road and Tree Weeds

The awesome Tiger orchid is featured in NParks Buzz Aug 10 newsletter
According to the article, this orchid is extremely rare if not already extinct in the wild in Singapore. The orchid was last found in the wild in Tuas and Pulau Ubin. Since a mature plant could weigh more than a ton, it is a wonder that such a huge plant could live on the trunk of a tree!

Breeding boost to Singapore's native frogs?

In her study of our sticky frogs, Teo Yea Tian provided artificial habitats in plastic and bamboo cups and plastic and ceramic basins to see if these encouraged the frogs to breed.

The black-spotted sticky frog got its name because it secretes a glue-like mucus when threatened. It is tiny with a huge call! And is horribly difficult to spot.

Nature Keeper - a biodiversity programme for our primary school students

Nature Keepers is the first programme in Singapore for primary school students that focuses on Singapore's forests.
Designed to interest kids and stimulate their appreciation of our forests, the programme will take place at the Bukit Timah and Central Catchment Nature Reserves.

Beyond the workshops, the programme also aims to nurture young volunteers in protecting our natural heritage over the longer term.

Bridge for biodiversity: Eco-Link to reconnect Bukit Timah and Central Nature Reserves

When the Bukit Timah Expressway (BKE) was completed in 1986, it divided our last primary rainforest.
To heal this gap, NParks and the Land Transport Authority are working on a bridge to allow trees and animals across the BKE! It will be a first of its kind in Southeast Asia.