In a first, NParks successfully carries out ex-situ conservation for all three of Singapore’s endemic freshwater crabs

-Efforts under NParks’ Species Recovery Programme include releasing captive-produced Johnson’s Freshwater Crabs back into the wild, marking the successful ex-situ conservation of all of Singapore’s endemic freshwater crab species

- Launch of third and most comprehensive edition of Singapore Red Data Book provides a common reference for conservation status of our local biodiversity

- Enhanced Biodiversity Impact Assessment guidelines will improve quality of environmental studies

-Festival of Biodiversity highlights importance of conservation of Singapore’s natural heritage and community stewardship in transforming Singapore into a City in Nature

In a first, the National Parks Board (NParks) has successfully carried out ex-situ conservation efforts for all three of Singapore’s endemic freshwater crabs – the Johnson’s Freshwater Crab (Irmengardia johnsoni), Singapore Freshwater Crab (Johora singaporensis) and Swamp Forest Crab (Parathelphusa reticulata). With the successful captive production of first-generation offspring for the Johnson’s Freshwater Crab in 2023, a total of about 1,900 individuals across the three species have been bred and produced in captivity, some of which have been released into the wild to boost their natural population. At the same time, NParks has propagated thousands of specimens of critically endangered native plant species and reintroduced them to our habitats to expand their distribution and safeguard the population of our native flora. One of the plant species is the Mucuna biplicata, which was recently discovered here in 2022, and found only in a single locality in the western part of Singapore. These updates were announced at the launch of the 13^th edition of the Festival of Biodiversity, Singapore’s biggest biodiversity festival, by Guest-of-Honour President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, who was hosted by Minister for National Development and Minister-in-charge of Social Services Integration Mr Desmond Lee.

Updates on key publications that serve as useful references for conservation planning and management were also shared in conjunction with the Festival of Biodiversity. Firstly, the third edition of the Singapore Red Data Book (RDB3) has been completed and features assessments of over 9,400 species – more than three times that of the previous edition, which was published in 2008. In addition, NParks has revised its Biodiversity Impact Assessment (BIA) guidelines, which help developers and industry practitioners understand how the impact of development works on local flora and fauna is assessed in an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). The key revisions in the guidelines include updates on conducting baseline studies for terrestrial and marine sites, as well as descriptions of new marine habitat types.  

Altogether, these efforts based on the various pillars of NParks’ Nature Conservation Masterplan, which guides NParks’ biodiversity conservation strategies, will allow us to better conserve our natural heritage, as well as enhance our climate and ecological resilience to provide a high-quality living environment in our City in Nature.

Successful species recovery efforts for endemic, rare or threatened native species

NParks’ Species Recovery Programme aims to conserve native flora and fauna by targeting endemic, rare or threatened native species in Singapore through reintroduction, habitat enhancement and protection efforts. One of these species is the Johnson’s Freshwater Crab (Irmengardia johnsoni), which can be found mostly in the streams of Bukit Timah Nature Reserve and Central Catchment Nature Reserve. NParks has produced over 300 first-generation Johnson’s Freshwater Crabs in captivity in 2023, and more than half of these individuals have since been released into the wild. With this, NParks has successfully carried out ex-situ conservation efforts for all three of Singapore’s endemic freshwater crabs.  

To safeguard the population of our native flora, NParks has also propagated thousands of plant specimens and planted them out at their existing habitats or suitable new sites across our parks and nature reserves to expand their distribution. One of the plant species is the Mucuna biplicata, which was discovered here in 2022 and is a new species record for Singapore. It is only found in a single locality in the western part of Singapore. Other native plants under the Species Recovery Programme include critically endangered species such as the Mengkudu Laut (Timonius finlaysonianus), Selembat (Syzygium conglomeratum), Paku Raja (Cycas edentata) and Donella lanceolata.

The Mucuna biplicata is also one of four species featured in the Critically Endangered Flora of Singapore – Flora of Lowland Dipterocarp Forests stamp series, with the other species being Kadsura scandens, Piper porphyrophyllum, and Artocarpus kemando. The stamp series was launched by Singapore Post Limited (SingPost) in conjunction with the Festival of Biodiversity and is available for purchase there. Members of the public can also purchase the stamps at all post offices, philatelic stores and online at: https://shop.singpost.com/critically-endangered-flora-of-singapore-flora-of-lowland-dipterocarp-forests-complete-set-csb24ast-2-00.html.

Completion of RDB3 to guide future biodiversity conservation strategies

The third and most comprehensive edition of the Singapore Red List has been compiled into the RDB3, which features over 9,400 species, more than three times the 2,900 species compiled in the previous edition, and has 130 contributors, more than double the previous edition’s 64 contributors.

In RDB3, the number of taxonomic groups with species assessed has increased significantly, with new assessments of algae, fungi, poriferans (sponges), freshwater aquatic bugs, assassin bugs, marine insects, tanaids and marine fishes like sharks and rays. Taxa such as bees, beetles, cnidarians, echinoderms, flies, marine fishes, molluscs, moths, scleractinians, spiders and wasps also saw substantial numbers of species assessed for the first time.

As a common reference point for the conservation status of Singapore’s biodiversity, RDB3 will enhance our understanding of species conservation management, and serve as a key tool in guiding conservation strategies across Singapore. It will be available for purchase at S$50 at the Gardens Shops located in the Singapore Botanic Gardens, as well as selected local bookstores.

Revised BIA guidelines to strengthen safeguards against biodiversity impact

In 2020, NParks introduced a set of BIA guidelines to provide developers with greater clarity on how to assess the impact of development works on local flora and fauna. To keep pace with advances in our scientific understanding and industry practice, since 2022, NParks has been engaging environmental consultants, nature groups and academics to garner their feedback on enhancing the guidelines.

This feedback has been incorporated into the revised BIA guidelines, which include updates on conducting baseline studies for terrestrial and marine sites, such as revised survey methods for habitats and target species groups, and provide additional guidance on light and wildlife management measures. This will allow developers to have a better understanding of the biodiversity impact of their projects, especially for those in or near to sensitive areas such as Nature Reserves.

Recognising young stewards of nature

Today at the Festival of Biodiversity, President Tharman also presented awards to the winners of NParks’ Community in Nature Schools Award. Now into its third edition, the biennial award recognises educational institutions, educators and students who have been proactively promoting the conservation of local biodiversity. Over 70 nominations were submitted for this third edition, up from 65 in 2022 and 44 in 2020, marking the most nominations received to date.

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Information accurate as of 25 May 2024