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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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24 May (Tue): Free talk on "Soil-related performance variation and distributions of tree species in a Bornean rain forest"

Sabrina Russo Forest Dynamics Group CTFS Arnold Arboretum Asia Program, Harvard University shares on this topic.

Spatial distributions of tropical trees often correlate with environmental variation, suggesting that ecological sorting caused by niche differentiation may be important for maintaining species diversity. Four soil types varying in fertility and moisture have been identified in a 52-ha forest dynamics plot in Bornean mixed dipterocarp forest. The distributions of 73% of tree species in the plot are significantly aggregated on one of these soil types.

We tested the hypothesis that variation in performance (growth and mortality) underlies these edaphically-biased species distributions. Although there was little evidence of a home-soil performance advantage, ecological sorting of species among soils was nonetheless strong. With increasing diameter, species were lost from the soils on which they were not aggregated more frequently than would be expected based on random mortality. The underlying mechanisms of ecological sorting may involve low mortality rates as a requirement for species to achieve high abundance on the poorest soil, whereas for the richer soils, having high growth rates appears relatively more important for achieving high abundance.

Thus, species demographic responses to resource variation among soil types, especially related to the poorest soil, affects tree species distribution patterns in this forest and thereby influences the structure of tropical forest communities.

All are welcome.

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

Time: 4-5pm
Venue: DBS Conference Room Blk S3, Level 5, Department of Biological Sciences The National University of Singapore Science Drive 4 map

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26 May (Thu): Free talk on "Importance of interspecific hybridization for cichlid diversification in Lake Tanganyika"

Christian Sturmbauer Department of Zoology, Karl-Franzens-University of Graz, Austria shares on this topic.

Lamprologine cichlids represent the most species-rich lineage of the Lake Tanganyika cichlid species flock. They are all substrate breeders which colonized all types of sandy and rocky habitat and evolved an impressive ecological diversity. Some species display complex social behavior and breed in gastropod shell-beds.

Phylogenetic reconstruction on the basis of mitochondrial gene segments and nuclear markers suggests repeated instances of interspecific hybridization among taxa that had been independent evolutionary units before.

Three case examples of interspecific hybridization are presented, each involving highly divergent genotypes and specific ecological circumstances. Gene flow across longstanding species barriers may obscure phylogenetic relationships and deserves specific attention to the status of lineage sorting and balanced taxon sampling.

The observation of interspecific hybridization during the process of adaptive radiation may represent yet another mechanism to rapidly produce novel phenotypes.

We suggest that lamprologine cichlids may be more prone to hybridization than mouthbrooding cichlids, due to specific characteristics in their breeding behavior and ecology.

All are welcome.

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

Time: 4-5pm
Venue: DBS Conference Room Blk S3, Level 5, Department of Biological Sciences The National University of Singapore Science Drive 4 map

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27 May (Fri): Free talk on "Cracking Seed Dormancy and germinating seeds for regreening"

Seeds of many climax tropical rainforest tree species, such as the dipterocarps, are recalcitrant (lose viability when dried), and they usually are nondormant (germinate quickly without pretreatment). However, seeds of numerous other taxa are either orthodox (retain viability when dried) and nondormant or orthodox and dormant (require pretreatment to germinate quickly). Thus, seed desiccation sensitivity and dormancy often hinder propagation of plants for restoration and other projects.

This joint seminar will (1) review the biogeographic occurrence of nondormant, dormant, and recalcitrant seeds; (2) present an overview of a classification system for seed dormancy, including a dichotomous key to the five classes of dormancy; (3) relate classes of dormancy to plant-taxonomic occurrence; and (4) discuss how seed dormancy is broken in nature and in the laboratory. Information provided in this seminar shows how knowledge of a few simple-to-determine characteristics of seeds can assist restorationists and others in propagating plants from seeds.

Speakers: Professors Carol & Jerry Baskin School of Biological Sciences University of Kentucky Lexington, USA

Time: 4pm
Venue: Gardens Briefing Room, Visitor Centre, Singapore Botanic Gardens
Contact: Janice Yau Janice_YAU@nparks.gov.sg

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27 May (Fri): Slidetalk “Invasion of Alien Avian Species vs Home Team”

Ashley Ng & friends get the ball rolling with a series of slidetalks, starting on the issue of alien, introduced, escapee and non-native bird species that have invaded our island. What happens when a bird species is introduced into a country where it doesn’t occur naturally? Are our local ecosystems able to cope with these alien species? Do introduced birds cause far-reaching repercussions and can they inflict permanent damage? Will some of our native birds become locally extinct because of non-native species? Does it matter to you at all? Whatever your stand is on this issue, do come and join in the discussion. Through the lens of our bird photographers, photos of our foreign feathered beauties will be showcased.

Time: 7.30pm, Nature Society (Singapore) office at 510 Geylang Road #02-05 The Sunflower.
Charges: A Zest for Nature! programme: Member $5, Non member $8
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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28 May (Sat): Free Evolution Garden Tour, Singapore Botanic Gardens

Journey through time with our volunteer guides in this one-hour tour. Bizarre plants, bubbling pools of hot lava and lots of other things you wouldn't expect to see in a botanic garden!

Time: 9am, register at Visitor Centre Time. Register 15 minutes before the tour. Registration is on a first-come-first-served basis.
Contact : Visitor Services (6471 7361)

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28 May (Sat): Free Kusu Reef Walk with the Blue Water Volunteers

No need to swim, no need to dive! Trained volunteer guides help you explore the exciting coral reefs of Kusu Island at low tide. more

Time: 8-10am. Meet 6.30am at Sentosa Ferry Terminal
Contact: MingSheng at reefwalk@bluewatervolunteers.org

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28 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

9am: 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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29 Mar (Sun): Dive Hantu with the Hantu Bloggers

Hantu is a great place to dive! For the latest stories and photos of what divers see at Hantu, visit the Hantu blog.

Hantu Blog dives are managed by Sea Hounds Scuba, The Eco-Adventure Division of Value Travel Pte Ltd (TA.01369)

Contact: hantublog@gmail.com. To register, send an email with
1. Your name and IC/Passport number
2. Your email address,
3. Your handphone number, and
4. Rental dive gear required (including size).

To be kept updated on the Hantu Bloggers' dives, sign up for the Hantu Bloggers Yahoo mailing list.

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29 May (Sun): Free "Painting with Pui San" at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve

Pui San welcomes artists of all ages or anyone who wants to learn. His objective is to encourage creativity while enjoying nature at the same time. Bring along your favourite drawing or painting supplies. More about Pui San.

Time: Meet 8.30am at the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve ticketing counter (Visitor Centre). Session usually lasts until about 11am.
Usual entry charges apply: $1 per adult, 50cents per child/student/senior citizen.
Contact: Tham Pui Sam at thampuisan@hotmail.com or the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve at sbwr@pacific.net.sg or call 6794 1401

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29 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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