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Until 6 Jun (Mon): Exhibition on impact of releasing animals in our nature reserves: At the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve. more about the reserve and about impact of animal release

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18 May 2005: Free talk on "Figs and the diversity of tropical forests"

Rhett Harrison Postdoctoral Fellow Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute Republic of Panama discusses figs.

Ficus (Moraceae) is arguably one of the most important plant genera in lowland tropical rain forests. Figs are pan-tropical, possess a variety of habits characteristic of tropical plants, and are functionally important. A brief survey of tropical florulas also demonstrates that Ficus is the only ubiquitously diverse genus in lowland tropical rain forests.

Through a review of their biology we can identify three basic attributes that explain this success: (1) Pre-adaptation to pioneer niches has endowed figs with evolutionary flexibility, leading to diverse regional species pools, and long-range seed dispersal contributes to the diversity of local assemblages; (2) colonisation of rare niches limits competition and thus promotes species co-existence among figs; and (3) figs possess a very specific, supremely efficient long-range pollination system that enables them to outcross at low densities. These factors are likely to be important in the diversity of other plant groups in the tropics.

All are welcome.

more details including map on the Meetings of the Biodiversity & Ecology Journal Club website

Time: 4-5pm
Venue: Dept of Biological Science Seminar Room 4 (SR4) Blk S2, Level 2, Department of Biological Sciences The National University of Singapore Science Drive 4 map

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19 May 2005: Free talk on "The history and experiences of the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute"

By Ira Rubinoff Director & Senior Staff Scientist Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute Republic of Panama shares about the STRI.

The Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI), based in the Republic of Panama, employs more than 350 scientists and support staff in the Republic of Panama with an annual budget of $20-25 million from federal and private sources. Additionally, 1000 visiting scientists and students from more than 40 nations use the facilities annually. A restricted endowment fund created by Dr. Rubinoff now includes approximately $14,000,000 to support research and fellowships at STRI.

STRI maintains a series of facilities in other tropical habitats throughout the Isthmus of Panama and is custodian of the Barro Colorado Nature Monument (BCNM) located in the middle of the Panama Canal. BCNM is the second oldest biological reserve in the New World tropics and one of the best studied tropical forests in the world.

Rubinoff's tenure has seen the development of the first two ocean marine laboratory, the first use of construction cranes for access to study tropical forest canopies, an automated telemetry system allowing the simultaneous tracking of many animals is being developed on Barro Colorado Island, the establishment of a circumtropical network of large scale forest dynamics plots now studying three million trees of six thousand species in 13 tropical nations and one of the first advanced molecular biology laboratories located in the tropics.

All are welcome.

more details including map on the Meetings of the Biodiversity & Ecology Journal Club website

Time: 4-5pm
Venue: DBS Seminar Room 4 (SR4) Blk S2, Level 2, Department of Biological Sciences The National University of Singapore Science Drive 4 map

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20 May (Fri): Launch of book on "Trees of Bukit Timah"

Come and find out more about the state of Singapore's oldest nature reserve at the book launch. Our friends at NParks will transform the foyer of LT1 into a tropical rainforest!

Written by James V. LaFrankie, Stuart J. Davies, Wang Luan Keng, Lee Sing Kong and Shawn Lum, the book is a summary of ten years of research at the Bukit TImah Nature Reserve.

Programme details and more on the Meetings of the Biodiversity and Ecology Journal Club website.

Time: 1.45-3.45pm
Venue: NIE LT 1 map and directions
Contact: Shawn Lum at slum@nie.edu.sg

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21 May (Sat): Changi Boardwalk free guided walk

The Green Volunteers Network introduces the many beautiful, old and interesting trees around Changi Point. With the recent opening of the Beach front Boardwalk, this walk has become even more interesting. Please bring along your own water and wear comfortable walking shoes/sandals. more

Time: 10am sharp. Meet at the coffee Shop nearest to the Changi Village Hotel (former Changi Meridien Hotel), Changi Village.
Tour duration: one and a half to two hours.
PRE-REGISTRATION IS NECESSARY for this event. Bookings are on a first come first serve basis, up to a max of 25.
Contact: To register, please contact Joe at info@gvn.com.sg with your name, number of people and handphone number.

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21 May (Sat): Sensory Trail, Pulau Ubin free guided walk

Experience Ubin’s wonderful nature through your different senses along our Sensory Trail. The easy walk is an excellent introduction to the rustic and natural character of the island. You will be able to touch, see or smell fruit trees, spices and herbs for cooking, plants used in traditional medicine and native plants of the mangrove forest. more

Time: Tours start at 9.30am and 10am, meet 10 minutes before the tour stars at the Ubin Information Kiosk (near Ubin Jetty).
Tour duration: one and a half hours.
To join the guided tour, you will need to pre-book with NParks. Pulau Ubin Hotline (Tel: 6542-4108) or visit the Ubin Information Kiosk between 8.30am-5pm to book a visit. A booking number would be allocated upon confirmation of places.
Contact: Pulau Ubin Hotline 6542-4108

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21 May (Sat): Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve free guided walk

You'll see the fabulous plants and animals of the mangroves and freshwater wetlands. Besides the abundant bird life, there is also other fascinating wildlife in the Reserve. more

4pm: Free Marine Fish Guided Walk at Sungei Buloh introducing you to the fabulous fishes of the Reserve.

Time: 9am, 10am, 3pm, 4pm, for walk in guests, register at the Visitor Centre. Those coming with large groups are advised to pre-register.
Tour duration: one to one and a half hours. Easy trails, some suitable for young children.
Entry charges: $1 per adult, 50cents per child/student/senior citizen.
Contact: sbwr@pacific.net.sg or call 6794 1401

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22 May (Sun): Birdwatching at Sembawang Park with Margie Hall
open only to NSS members

Margie Hall introduces this sedate and historical corner of Singapore which boasts tranquil roads and large gardens that host a surprising range of birds, including the globally endangered Straw-headed Bulbul, Oriental Magpie-robins and a wide array of woodpeckers. The walk will take us through Sembawang Park, to the shores of the Straits of Johor and concludes with a piping hot kopi at the busmen’s kiosk at Sembawang Road end. more about Sembawang Park.

Time: 7.30am, meet at the corner of Kings Avenue and Admiralty Road East.
Contact: More details about the Nature Society (Singapore). To join the NSS, email contact@nss.org.sg or call 6741 2036.

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22 May (Sun): Native Plant Hunt Hindhede Nature Park, Bukit Timah Nature Reserve

Are you curious about the names of some of the plants found in Hindhede Nature Park? Here's a chance to help you learn at least 8 native plant species in a fun way! Form a team of three to five members and join us in the Native Plant Hunt! The free plant hunts are conducted by the Building and Environment Green Volunteers from Ngee Ann Polytechnic’s School of Engineering. Registration for the free plant hunt is limited to maximum of 10 people per registrant. The plant hunt is available and chargeable for organised groups (minimum 20 participants) on other dates. At least 1 month's notice is needed to book for this specially arranged plant hunt, which is organised by Nparks.

Time: 10am, 10.30am, 11am
Meet at Bukit Timah Nature Reserve Visitor Centre
Contact: Genevie Chua Yen Kheng 6554 5127 or Genevie_Chua@nparks.gov.sg

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22 May (Sun): Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve free guided walk

You'll see the fabulous plants and animals of the mangroves and freshwater wetlands. Besides the abundant bird life, there is also other fascinating wildlife in the Reserve. more

Time: 9am, 10am subject to availability of volunteer guides; for walk in guests, register at the Visitor Centre. Those coming with large groups are advised to pre-register.
Tour duration: one to one and a half hours. Easy trails, some suitable for young children.
Entry charges: $1 per adult, 50cents per child/student/senior citizen.
Contact: sbwr@pacific.net.sg or call 6794 1401

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