Lack of Love, But Why?
We all agree that things that are greatly significant to our heritage should be preserved; needless to say, our own ecology should be preserved too. Yet, the marine biodiversity conservation effort has not gotten the love that other aspects of environmental conservation has had in Singapore. What’s the deal with that? Here’s a tidbit: Did you know that Singapore has several different species of marine life that could possibly be new to scientists all around the world?
The Unknown World Beneath
In the coastal waters and mudflats of Singapore, there are thousands of little critters and fauna living in a world mostly unknown to us Singaporeans- and unknown even to the world. A recent survey of our biodiversity in 2013 saw the discovery of over 100 potentially new marine species in Singapore. In the mudflats of Lim Chu Kang, scientists found a small goby nicknamed “Zee”, who belongs to a new genus related to Drombus. The “lipstick” sea anemone, also found in the study, has also been speculated to be entirely unique to Singapore and new to science.
This odd looking sea anemone is the “Lipstick” sea anemone discovered in Singapore, 2013, and could be completely unique to Singapore.
In fact, there are many parts of our invisible heritage that we haven’t really paid attention to. Would you be surprised to hear that Singapore has 9.5km2 of coral reefs, hidden in the islands south of the mainland? Coral reefs are usually something one would associate with great exotic lands beyond, like the Great Barrier Reef, but few would think of Singapore’s local coral reefs when talking about reefs. We have mangroves and mudflats too; 6.26km2 of mangroves and 5km2 of mudflats, to be exact, which are home to thousands of species of marine life and exotic wildlife, like the small goby “Zee”, found in the Lim Chu Kang mudflats.
Lim Chu Kang mudflats
Our very own coral reefs, right here in Singapore.
The best part is, all of this is right here in Singapore. No expensive plane tickets needed to see these exotic species- you could head on down to Labrador Beach at low tide and catch a glimpse of one of the last remaining mainland coral reefs we have in Singapore.
Our Invisible Heritage Under Threat
Yet, despite all of the amazing marine life we have here in Singapore, we used to have so much more in the past. Take our wonderful reefs, for instance. Coral reefs have declined from 17.0km2 to 9.5km2 in just 18 years, from 1993 to 2011. According to Singapore’s 2008 Master Plan and 2011 Concept Plan, it is projected that all habitats are predicted to shrink further and further as we continue to develop. That means that if we aren’t careful about what we do in the future, we may be the last generation of Singaporeans to see coral reefs in the mainland.
Much of the destruction of coral reefs can be attributed to sedimentation due to land reclamation. This exposes our coral reefs to direct stress, reducing its size and the heights it can grow to. Ocean acidification, pollution and excess nutrients due to human waste being dumped in the seas have also caused disease within corals. This strips them of algae, their symbiotic partners, and renders them defenseless and weak- they lose not only their color but their source of food and are left vulnerable to disease.
An example of what is going on to some coral reefs across the world.
Interconnected to the Unknown
Some have asked over the years: What tangible benefits do our coral reefs bring for Singapore, other than being the fascination of some obscure scientific community? The answers to that may not always be clear, but look under the surface (no pun intended), and you will find that marine biodiversity is an integral part of our lives today.
First of all, marine ecosystems are providers of biological resources. Many resources in the ecosystems- yes, even our local ones- can be used in the biomedicine and biotechnology industry to create biologics and produce natural medicinal compounds which are used to treat ailments and to aid the medical field. These can be things like Factor C, produced from the blood of horseshoe crabs, that is used in vaccines (yes, even the COVID-19 vaccine) and intravenous drugs, which makes them safer and more effective.
Not only that, our marine biodiversity benefits our mental and physical health. A study by researchers from the European Center for Environment and Human Health has shown that people who are more connected with nature generally tend to feel more relaxed and calm, and are likely to recover more quickly from sicknesses; as well as having improved mental wellbeing in general. In such a stressful and uncertain world, that could make all the difference.
Indeed, Singaporeans have started to become more aware of our marine biodiversity preservation in recent years, and that’s a step in the right direction. TeamSeagrass is one great example of Singaporeans coming together to protect our ecological heritage. This volunteer group is dedicated to the preservation of seagrasses which live underwater and play essential roles in Singapore’s marine environment as a nursery, food source and habitat to animals.
Yet, there is a distinct lack of awareness on how these natural areas work, and how the ecology operates. Moreover, we know that the ecosystem is in danger, but we don’t know how or why they are threatened. Many of us can explain that marine life is under threat, but knowing how to save our biodiversity and to reduce our damage to the environment requires knowledge of how human activities have hurt the environment- something that most of us are not fully aware of yet.
What can we do?
In this fight to save Singapore’s ecology, knowledge is power, but knowing about the plight of our marine life is just the beginning.
So, what can you do as a HC student and as a member of the wider community in Singapore? Go out, and touch some seagrass! Join one of the many intertidal walks in Singapore or volunteer with an organization dedicated to marine conservation. For instance, you could help out at NParks as a guide at the Sisters’ Islands park, or join the Biodiversity Beach Patrol. Pass on the knowledge you’ve learnt to the friends and family around you! Spread the word and let others know about the fight to save our ecological heritage.
We’ve all heard of reduce, reuse and recycle, but the emphasis is on reducing the waste we generate. Refrain from buying things you don’t need, support eco-friendly companies and ethically responsible products, and do your part by disposing your waste responsibly, the sea is not a rubbish bin! Bring your own lunch boxes, bring your own bags, there are many little things that we can do as Singaporeans to save our marine life- and little by little, we can preserve this little slice of Singapore that makes our island truly special.
Today, the destruction of marine biodiversity in Singapore is sadly already underway, but together, we can halt it and save a part of who we are. So, why not start today?
Written by: Artemus Lee (22A15)
Edited by: Tan Xuanmin (21S78)
Special thanks to Green Council (Shi Wenxing (21A15)) for the resources provided.
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