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  The Straits Times 22 May 05
Rare mangrove finds highlight rich biodiversity here
by Chang Ai-Lien and Meng Yew Choong

PLANT biochemist Jean Yong was on a field trip to Pulau Ubin late last year when he stumbled on a rare find - a swarm of iridescent sap-feeding bugs gathered for a mating ritual, seconds before they took flight.

But even more precious than this was their leafy setting, a new species of mangrove yet to be named by science. '

These discoveries help raise the profile of mangrove forests,' said Assistant Professor Yong from the National Institute of Education (NIE). 'Such habitats are among the world's most threatened, and we need time to study them further.'

Singapore's mangrove area has shrunk from about 6,400ha in 1953 to about 500ha now. Despite their shrinking size, Singapore remains a treasure trove for the 'rainforests of the sea'.

There are 56 known species here. New species, and those previously thought extinct, are still being uncovered.

Mangroves are not just home to a menagerie of birds, reptiles, fish and insects, or a source of valuable wood.

More recently, they have been highlighted for their role in absorbing carbon dioxide, widely pinpointed as the root cause of global warming. One hectare of mangrove forest can absorb a year's worth of carbon dioxide from a vehicle.

With colleagues from Malaysia and Australia, NIE researchers are working to have sites officially recognised for their ability to absorb these emissions, just like other types of forest.

Such research, as well as the frequent discovery of new species here, underscores Singapore's rich natural heritage despite its tiny size and furious urbanisation.

As the world celebrates the International Day for Biological Diversity today, researchers in the field are getting a boost in their efforts - with the launch of the National Biodiversity Reference Centre (NBRC).

It is a centre for biodiversity-related information and activities, and will be the scientific authority on all such matters relating to research and policy formulation. It will also be used for submitting research permit applications.

Biodiversity day is celebrated worldwide to help increase understanding and awareness of biodiversity issues. Singapore ratified the Convention on Biological Diversity in 1995.

To celebrate Singapore's rich biodiversity, a travelling exhibition will be held at the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve from noon today until June 4. Locations and dates after that are on the NBRC's website at www.nbrcnparks.org

About the National Biodiversity Reference Centre
from their website

Singapore, by virtue of its geographical location, has rich biodiversity, in spite of its intense urbanisation. Dryland tropical rainforests, mangroves and coral ecosystems are some of the key habitats found in Singapore.

The National Parks Board has established the NBRC as the focal point for biodiversity conservation. As the one-stop centre for information on indigenous biodiversity of Singapore, the NBRC is maintaining this website to better disseminate biodiversity information on Singapore more widely. This website also serves as the Singapore node of the Clearing-house Mechanism of the Convention on Biological Diversity.

The National Parks Board is pleased to announce the establishment of the National Biodiversity Reference Centre (NBRC) on 22 May 2006. The NBRC serves as Singapore’s one-stop centre for biodiversity-related information and activities.

A major remit of NBRC is to manage all available information and data on biodiversity in Singapore. Diverse biodiversity-related information and data are at present generated, stored and updated by different organizations and individuals. NBRC will maximize the usefulness of such information and data by linking them in a single meta-database. Having relevant, complete, and up-to-date information is crucial for many decision-making processes that take biodiversity into consideration. Having such a hub of biodiversity information and data at NBRC will also allow knowledge gaps to be better identified and addressed.

The National Biodiversity Reference Centre also subsumes the present roles and responsibilities of the Biodiversity Centre of the National Parks Board. NBRC will continue to take responsibility for the conservation of both terrestrial and marine flora and fauna in Singapore and represent NParks in its role as the government’s Scientific Authority on Nature Conservation. NBRC will also represent Singapore in various biodiversity-related international/regional conventions and fora, including the Convention on Biological Diversity and the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity.”
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