Green Spaces in Singapore espyr1 SSA s2

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SSA2215

Green Spaces (Summary 2)

History of Vegetation change in Singapore

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During glacial period (sea level 200m lower than current level), Singapore was the centre of Sundaland As a result, Singapore consists of flourishing of flora and fauna, green spaces.

- Vegetation in Singapore before 1819 (Before Sir Stamford Raffles arrival) o Tropical rainforest (82%)

o Mangroves (13%) o Freshwater swamp (5%)

- After 1819, Singapore River was used as a trading port. This happening has influenced the environments in Singapore.

- 1819 ~ 1960s: Extensive plantations are carried out for the demand of various crops - 93% of dry-land forest had been cleared out for agricultural activities.

- Currently, 10-30% of known flora had extinct; some faunas like birds, fish, mammals, etc have been lost.

Green Spaces in Singapore

- There are about 36 parks, garden and recreational areas in total - Park connectors and road lined with green plants

- Roof top gardens

- Motto: An integrated, city approach to the planting, care and management of all vegetation in the city to secure multiple environmental and social benefits for urban dwellers

- Nature Reserves o Bukit Timah

o The Central Catchment Area o Sugei Buloh wetland reserve o Labrador Park

- Bukit Timah – one of the first and the oldest Nature Reserves in 1951 o 850 species of vascular plants

o 400 types of trees have been protected - MacRitchie Reservoir was first protected in 1868

o Rubber plantations were carried out by replacing original rainforests

o The biodiversity of current secondary forests is less complex as compared to primary forests

Functions of Green Spaces

All ecological functions are also economic functions

Reserve rainforest / Maintain Biodiversity

- More than half of population of species on earth can be found in tropical rainforests

- Many species in rainforests are studied and identified to have economic importance, recreational value and academic significance.

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SSA2215

Green Spaces (Summary 2)

Watershed Protection

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- Water catchment areas in Singapore provide half population’s demand for clean water - Rainforests can act as buffering agent for waters in the catchment

o They can improve water quality by filtering away heavy metals and nutrients naturally present in rainwater.

o Wide spread root system can

 Stabilize soil

 Trap rainwater (75%), slowing runoff process

 Purify water naturally

Urban heat and pollution control

- Trees can manage the microclimate of urban cities (decrease temperature change) - They play a role in cooling the environments

- Absorbs less heat, as a result, radiate less heat

- Improve air quality by trapping dust and airborne of dirty particles present in the air.

o Reduced ambient temperature minimizes the amount of vertical thermal air movements o Act as green lungs of the state

- Effective buffer for noise as they are often used to separate roads from residential areas

Carbon storage and sequestration

- Reforestation can increase the net amount of carbon fixation - They absorb CO² by photosynthesis

- They also fixate carbon stored in the soil by trapping it with their roots - Constitute an important natural defense against climate change - 2 strategies:

o Reduce energy production

o Increase ecological carbon absorption (esp. through afforestation)

Recreation and Sense of Identity

- Combine quality green infrastructure with memorable recreational experiences - Fundamental base of nation-building and rootedness

- Instilling a sense of ownership for the properties of green space - There are high demand on aesthetics

- Colors in trees and flowers break the monotony of high rise public housing estates

The Garden City

Urban Environment vs. Forest environment

- Urban Environments have o Lower humidity o Poorer soil quality o Higher light intensity o Air pollution

- Gardens have simple structure and cannot accommodate large diversity

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SSA2215

Green Spaces (Summary 2)

Habitat Fragmentation in Singapore

3 - Forests – fragmented into smaller segments

o Increasing rate of tree falling

- Allowing more sunlight to expose into forest vegetation o Affects wildlife adaptability

o Disrupt habitat -_Trails

o More tourists and visitors to Nature Reserves

 More trails are formed by stepping

 Species disturbance

 Poaching (hunting) activities increase o Harder trails – increase surface water runoff

 Formation of rills and gullies

Singapore s vegetation cover has changed dramatically due to rapid urbanization and industrialization. Many actions have been taken to protect the environments from being changed drastically; this is done so to ensure that Singapore remains a strong contender in competitive global economic race and having a sustainable environment

Park connectors

- Greenways established along a natural corridor (riverfront, stream valley), ridgeline or overland along a canal, which can act as a GREEN CORRIDOR to unify green spaces and facilitate the flow of wildlife movement