NParks to start 2-year survey of Bukit Timah Nature Reserve

SINGAPORE - The National Parks Board (NParks) will be conducting a two-year-long biodiversity survey of Bukit Timah Nature Reserve (BTNR) in March this year.

This is to better understand the conservation status and distribution of plants and animals in the 163-hectare reserve, said NParks in a statement released on Saturday.

NParks staff, scientists from academic institutions and individuals with knowledge of some of the taxonomic groups will be undertaking the survey.

The BTNR survey will focus on key groups of animals such as mammals, reptiles, butterflies, fishes, spiders, birds, amphibians, dragonflies, and aquatic invertebrates and plants that are integral to the rainforest ecosystem.

Previously, ad-hoc research and surveys on varied species were carried out by different researchers, organisations and NParks.

NParks said that this new survey will build upon past findings, as well as the information found from a 1993 survey.

To facilitate continuity and comparability of data, researchers and experts in the field who were involved in the 1993 survey will be involved in this new survey.

The results from this survey will be used for long-term monitoring and management of BTNR which contains at least 40 per cent of Singapore's native flora and fauna.

The BTNR is home to more than 840 flowering plants and over 500 species of animals, which include rare and native species such as the Singapore Freshwater Crab, the Colugo and the Straw-headed Bulbul.

NParks added that the last time a survey of similar scale was conducted some 20 years ago between 1993 and 1997.

Results of the new survey will be published in March 2017.

stephluo@sph.com.sg