Pasir Ris Park Mangroves

                  Covering a total of 6 hectares, stands the Pasir Ris Park Mangroves. The Mangroves are home to a diverse range of flora and fauna and thankfully, I had the opportunity to visit it.

A Crab!

                

Some of the common animal species include the crabs.


 Unfortunately, we were not able to take many photos of the crabs as they quickly scurried into the mounds and hid there as we approach.

Tree-climbing crabs

     

Are you able to spot the water monitor hiding in between the sea follies?

The giant mudskipper, another interesting specie! The mudskipper is an amphibious fish but definitely not an amphibian! "What's the difference?", well, the mudskipper is an amphibious fish as it is able to stay out of the water for long periods of time. It is not an amphibian as it has many structural adaptations fishes possess such as fins and gills

       

                                Caterpillar

Colony of red ants! Touch at your own risk!

Half-beak

There were many unique plant species in the mangroves as well.

An example is the sea folly. In a sea folly plant, there are both leaves with jagged edges and heart-shaped leaves.

The leaf of a sea hibiscus. Seems like a heart shape isn't it?

With the help of man interference, mangrove saplings are growing well in a nursery. Man do care for their environment alot.









Not really...











The mangrove forests mainly have three distinct layers, namely the inland zone, the middle zone and the coastal zones. In one day, there is a change in the tidal level about four times. Hence, it is essential for the plants to cope with the inter-tidal conditions. Some of the unique adaptations mangrove plants have are the roots adapted to the waterlogged soil and vivipary.

Rhizophora - Prop roots, anchor itself firmly in the                      muddy soil

Vivipary; Germinate while attached to the parent plant before falling into the ground and taking root.








Many countries have cleared mangroves solely for economical reasons but they have overlooked the social and environmental benefits. Did you know that mangroves can act as a buffer against storms or tsunamis? Did you know that the mangroves can act a natural treatment "plant for waste water" (Roots are able to trap waste materials and filter it while the bacteria present in the soil can break down biodegradable waste and convert it into nutrients). Did you know that mangrove forests can provide us with many resources such as food and chemicals? (Tannin, a chemical able to treat leather can be extracted from the bark of Rhizophora)


The mangroves are also home to many uniques species that cannot be found in other ecosystems. Thankfully, Singapore is making efforts to conserve the mangrove forests. However, for a rapidly developing country like Singapore, no one knows what will be done to the mangroves. Also, conserving of the mangroves can begin at the individual level:  Start signing up for afforestation programmes!