breathing roots in mangroves of Sungei Buloh Nature Park

wetlands
a publication of Sungei Buloh Nature Park

Vol 8 No 1
Apr 2001

Breathing organs
in mangroves

Bird watching techniques

A place in space:
epiphytes

Bird ringing
in 2000

Gems of the park: volunteers

Our long
suffering
"mother"

Public talks
at the park

Reflections
of a nature warden

breathing organs
in mangroves

by ali ibrahim
conservation officer

The mangal substratum consisting of dense mud is rather anaerobic (lacking in oxygen) and unstable. The mangrove plants, commonly found in the Park, have invariably adapted to this exacting environment by having lenticels (respiratory pores) and numerous passages through their spongy tissues to allow air to enter the roots below.

Roots that are exposed to the atmosphere, at least during low tide, may be called aerial roots.

Surface roots

These rooting adaptations include stilt roots, various type of pneumatophores and aerial roots. Not all mangrove species possess a specialised root system while some species possess more than one of the mentioned adaptations.

Pneumatophores (erect, asparagus-, peg- or torpedo-shaped) are respiratory roots belonging to Avicennia sp., Sonneratia sp. and Xylocarpus moluccensis. In the former species, the roots are pencil-like arising upright from massive subterranean cable roots system into the outer environment. When not inundated these roots are able to breathe. The pneumatophores produce an extensive net of fine nutrition roots that can also assimilate oxygen from the uppermost mud layer. A close examination at the pneumatophores will reveal the presence of barnacles, molluscs and algae on its exterior. A myriad of crustaceans, mudskippers and fishes also treat the site as feeding or play-ground.

knee roots

Knee roots in Bruguiera sp., Ceriops tagal and Lumnitzera littorea provide air to its root system via a system of quaint, knoblike structures. These lenticillated pneumatophores being periodically exposed to the air facilitate gas exchange between the atmosphere and the internal tissues of the plant.

Stilt roots in Rhizophora sp., with water-accustomed arching appendages arising from the trunk and lower branches, besides aiding in aeration serve also to anchor the tree in the soft and unstable mud. Birds and tree-climbing crabs even use the trunk and extended arms of Rhizophora to perch.

Prop roots in Rhizophora sp., Avicennia sp. and Acanthus ilicifolius are unbranched adventitious roots growing downwards from branches or the canopy to the bottom. Unlike stilt roots, these aerial roots are of uniform thickness and flexibility and will not root on reaching the ground. They, however, lend support to the tree.

Surface roots occur in Excoecaria agallocha, Aegicceras corniculatum and Cebera sp. The network of spreading surface roots is able to absorb sufficient oxygen during low tidal exposures.

Finally, plank roots, which are thin, branched, ribbon-like buttresses spreading out from the base of its trunk also aid in the aeration of Xylocarpus granatum and Heritiera littoralis.

It is therefore imperative for the survival of mangroves that oil pollution on a large scale must not occur, as breathing roots when coated will suffer from dire physiological consequences. For to err is human, to breathe... simply divine!

Do look out for these mangrove plants on your next visit to the Park. You would he amazed at the intricate structure and inherent beauty of these "breathing roots".

© Sungei Buloh Nature Park

Bird watching
techniques

Birds are enchanting creatures to watch and can be seen in your own backyard, on the way to work or to school. Bird watching can develop into an enjoyable hobby for those who are curious about these feathered neighbours of ours.

Birds are the most easily seen among the wild creatures in our urban city and watching them can be an enjoyable activity that lasts a lifetime. Each bird watching session can be an uplifting experience that takes you away from your ordinary, everyday cares and worries.

by halilah ahmad
education officer
shares some insights
into the art of bird watching

tiger shrike

peaceful dove

It requires no huge investment in optical equipment, just a keen eye for observation and lots of patience. You too can pursue this hobby both indoors and outdoors at your own leisure time. Practising good bird watching techniques can add value and enhance your experiences with these wild creatures.

Just follow these simple steps and an exciting and rewarding hobby awaits you. What you will need to start this hobby:

A pair of binoculars for a magnified view with viewing power described as 8x30, 10x50. The first number indicates the magnification. For example in the 8x30 binoculars, things will look 8 times larger than its normal size. The second number refers to the width of the lens in millimetres. The bigger the lens, the brighter the view. A pair with magnification between 7 to 10 would be adequate for beginners.

In order to see birds,
it is necessary to
become a part
of the silence.

Robert Lynd
Irish journalist

A telescope of at least 20x magnification would be useful to identify birds at a distance. Just a word of caution, the more powerful the magnification, the harder it is to spot the bird as the viewing area gets smaller. You will also need to invest in a good tripod or clamp to hold the telescope steady.

Birdwatcher's code
1. Be as quiet as possible.
2. Do not disturb the birds.
3. Leave nesting birds alone.
4. Stay on established trails.

A notebook and a pen or pencil to record your observations. You could include in your notebook some sketches of the birds spotted, their behaviour and the location or habitat in which they were seen.

Best time to see birds:
The best time to watch birds is during dawn to early rnorning and late afternoon to dusk when they are out foraging for food.

A good field guide is essential for proper identification of birds. Choose one that has good colour illustrations, a short description on its habitat and seasonal changes that describe the bird's migratory pattern or residential status during certain seasons.

If you are outdoors, be prepared.

Wear comfortable clothes and a pair of good walking shoes.
Gear up for weather change. Bring along a hat or cap and an umbrella or a raincoat. Bring along some drinks and a light snack, which will come in handy when you get hungry and thirsty during your walk. A word of caution, be aware of the surrounding wild creatures and do keep your food safely tucked in your bag. It is not wise to display your food or feed the wild animals.

Do some research on the place you intend to visit. At Sungei Buloh Nature Park, the walking trails are marked out clearly and there are many signposts to refer to for directions. If you are on a wild trail, it is best to go with a friend and never on your own. We want to be safe and comfortable to enjoy this hobby!
And lastly, why not join a group or society and get to know more birds and buddies. The fun never ends.

rusty-breasted cuckoo

Besides, you will never know what awaits you...

© Sungei Buloh Nature Park

a place
in space

Here are some interesting epiphytes that you can find in Sungei Buloh. Note how 'innovative' epiphytes can be in tackling water and nutrient scarcity; conditions faced as a trade-off for a sunnier 'place in space'.

Dischidia major | symbiosis with ants
This plant has two leaf forms - round fleshy leaf and specialized hollow leaf (hl). Aerial roots (ar) enter through a tiny hole at the base of the hollow leaf as do ants that bring in organic debris that in turn becomes food for the plant. (See cross-section)

Dendrobium crumenatum
(Pigeon Orchid) | possesses water-storage organ
Orchid roots are coated with a spongy layer called velamen (v).
This layer keeps living root tissues (rt) from drying out (see cross- section). Swollen pseudobulbs (pb) store water for leaner times.

text and illustrations
by joseph lai
conservation officer

Epiphytes are plants that live on other plants. They are not parasites as they use the host plants for support only. Their habitat is often high above in the tree crown (canopy).

About 25,000 species of vascular plants and an unaccounted wealth of spore-bearing mosses, liverworts, algae and lichens, make up the epiphyte flora of the world. Some botanists estimate that canopy-based vascular epiphytes constitute fully one third, perhaps up to 50% of the total vascular flora in some tropical rain forests. Thousands of animals depend on epiphytes for food and shelter.

Scientists are just beginning to unravel the astonishingly rich and intricate ecosystem formed by these canopy-based flora and fauna.

Drynaria quercifolia
(Oak-leaf Fern) | a natural 'monsoon drain'
Specialized sterile leaves (sl) clasp loosely around branches to catch failing leaf-litter from the surrounding tree canopy, and to funnel rain water and dissolved nutrient to the roots within. The fertile leaves (fl) are very different - much lobed, erect and tall.

Pyrrosia piloselliodes
(Dragon-scale Fern) | has 'hugging leaves'
Fleshy leaves (fl) keep their undersides tightly in contact with the exposed surface of a coconut trunk to help reduce water loss from their pores through transpiration.

Asplenium nidus
(Bird Nest Fern) | a natural 'trash basket'
The wide rosette of robust and waxy leaves capture rain water and leaf- litter that falls from the surrounding tree canopy. The cross-section shows the thick water-retaining spongy mass of fine roots (rm).

Hoya verticillata | produces 'paratrooper-seeds'
The seed(s) of this plant has a tuft of long silky hairs (sh) that keeps it floating in the air longer and increase the chance of attaching itself to a branch in the tree canopy to start a new life.

Orchid seed | symbiosis with fungi
The fine filaments (f) of a fungus penetrate the almost foodless (with little or no endosperm) seed, supplying vital food to the embryo (e) for growth. The close symbiosis between orchids and fungi remains intact into maturity.

© Sungei Buloh Nature Park

bird ringing
in sungei buloh nature park in 2000
overview | new species | rare species | recaptures | tables

by james gan
senior conservation officer

Bird ringing has been conducted at Sungei Buloh Nature Park since 1990. In 2000, a total of 1,154 birds from 78 species (25% of Singapore's total bird species) were ringed.

The ringing field works were conducted both at the fresh and brackish water ponds at the Park during the day and night throughout the year. A summary of the numbers of birds ringed in 2000 is listed in Table 1.

The most commonly ringed bird species were (numbers in brackets):

Common Redshank (263)
Javan Munia (80)
Brown-throated Sunbird (73)
Mongolian Plover (61) and
Yellow-vented Bulbul (60).

Other interesting facts:
Heaviest bird ringed:
Eurasian Curlew weighing in at 730g
Lightest bird ringed:
Scarlet-backed flowerpecker which weighed in at a miniscule 4g

Six species new to the Park were discovered for the first time.
In addition, some rare species of interest were caught.

There were 53 recaptures of birds that had been ringed prior to 2000.

In summary, bird ringing in 2000 has, for example, revealed the movement, abundance and survival rates of birds in Sungei Buloh Nature Park. Data collected are of use in the management of the Park.

This article is possible because of the field studies supported by NParks. Thanks to fellow ringers Ramakrishnan RK, Linda Goh, Adeline Chia, and Chan Su Hooi for contributing to the ringing work. Many others assisted with the ringing including staff, volunteers and friends especially Charles Lim, Stephen Chue, Patricia Phua, Kunasegaran, Sherina, Ali Ibrabim, Joseph Lai and Halilah Ahmad. In addition, I am grateful for the voluntary help from Wai Heng, Hock Keong and Nick Baker. Thanks too to Satish Sreedharan for training the staff in field ornithology, to Serene Ho for compiling and computerising a substantial number of records and to the many individuals who had contributed in some way.

References
Lim, K.S. 1997. Bird Biodiversity in the Nature Reserves of Singapore. In: Proceedings of the Nature Reserves Survey Seminar. Gardens' Bulletin Singapore 49 Pp. 225-244.

McClure, H.E. 1998. Migration and Survival of the Birds of Asia. White Lotus Co., Ltd, Bangkok.

Medway, Lord & Wells, D.R. 1976. The Birds of the Malay Peninsula, Vol 5. Penerbit Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur.

Wells, D. R. 1999. The Birds of the Thai-Malay Peninsula, Vol I. Academic Press, San Diego.

common
goldenback

scarlet-backed flowerpecker

blue-throated beeeater

japanese sparrowhawk

© Sungei Buloh Nature Park

bird ringing
in sungei buloh nature park in 2000
overview | new species | rare species | recaptures | tables

Six species new to the Park were discovered for the first time:
Ruddy Kingfisher
Siberian Blue Robin
Red-legged Crake
Little Bronze Cuckoo
Drongo Cuckoo
Black-browed Reed Warbler

Except for the Little Bronze Cuckoo, the new records discovered are believed to be migrants.

One Ruddy Kingfisher trapped in Nov, together with a sight record a few weeks earlier, constitute the first record in the Park.

Three Siberian Blue Robins were also trapped. Their presence had never been known in the Park previously. Their capture only during the migration months of Sept and Oct suggest that they are passage rnigrants.

The Red-legged Crake is elusive and has been known to occur in Lim Chu Kang and sporadically throughout Singapore. Of significance is its occurrence in a protected area other than the Central Catchment Area.

ruddy kingfisher

drongo cuckoo

siberian blue robin

red-legged crake

© Sungei Buloh Nature Park

bird ringing
in sungei buloh nature park in 2000
overview | new species | rare species | recaptures | tables

rusty-breasted
cuckoo

asian
dowitcher

Examples of some rare species of interest that were caught are:

Asian Dowitcher
Oriental Scops Owl
Rusty-breasted Cuckoo (aka. Indonesian Cuckoo)
Cinnamon- headed Pigeon and
Magpie Robin.

A White-chested Babbler ringed in the Park on 22 Aug 96 was recaptured.

oriental scops owl

cinammon-headed pigeon

The capture of the Oriental Scops Owl is believed to he only the third record for Singapore. The second record in 1998 was also from the Park.

The Cinnamon-headed Pigeon was previously sighted in the Park in i988. This capture is the first following an absence of sightings after 12 years.

© Sungei Buloh Nature Park

bird ringing
in sungei buloh nature park in 2000
overview | new species | rare species | recaptures | tables

blue-tailed
bee-eater

common
kingfisher

chestnut-winged cuckoo

ashy
tailorbirds

lesser coucal

There were 53 recaptures of birds that had been ringed prior to 2000. These recaptures comprised of 18 species.

The Common Redshank leads the list with 24 recaptures, followed by the Collared Kingfisher with 7 recaptures and Brown-throated Sunbird with 4 recaptures. One use for the data obtained from recaptured birds is the establishing of longevity records and enabling the active survival of bird species to be determined. The longevity records are listed in Table 2.

Of interest, the oldest recaptured bird was a Common Redshank. It was ringed in the Park on in Nov 90and recaptured on 27 Nov 00. The interval of just under 121 months (slightly over 10 years) is believed to be the longest recorded for the species.

The oldest recapture of a non-migrant was a Collared Kingfisher ringed in Jul 94 and recaptured in Aug 00, an interval of 72 months (6 years).

One Black-capped Kingfisher exhibited high site fidelity. It was mist netted at the same net location and even the same section of net after an absence of one season. Ringed in Mar 00 and recaptured once in Nov and Dec, the capture data suggest that the Park locality is its ultimate wintering area.

A Philippine Glossy Starling recovered on 19 Jul 00 at the Visitor Centre had been ringed at the freshwater pond area on 15 Aug 94, about 72 months (6 years) earlier suggesting that frugivorous type birds do remain in the Park vicinity even after a number of years.

pied triller

watercock

collared
scops owl

white-browed
crake

stork-billed kingfisher

Shorebirds were colour-marked with yellow dye and their movements within the Park and throughout Singapore were recorded based on ad hoc observations by the Park's network of volunteers and friends. Some of the interesting sightings of colour-rnarked shorehirds are listed in Table 3 (below).

Of interest is a record of a yellow leg-flagged Common Sandpiper believed to have been ringed at Broome, NW Australia and reportedly sighted in the Park on 30 Sep 00.

Table 3: Sightings of coloured-marked shorebirds external to Sungei Buloh Nature Park in 2000

Whimbrel: One was sighted on the mudflats at Sg. Puaka, Pulau Ubin during low tide on 29 Oct 2000. One was also seen in a mixed flock of shorebirds at Sg Khatib Bongsu ponds on 2 Dec 2000 and another on 16 DeC 2000, both at high tide.

Curlew Sandpiper: One was seen in flight at Changi Central South bay on 26 Dec 2000 during low tide.

bird ringing
in sungei buloh nature park in 2000
overview | new species | rare species | recaptures | tables

Table 1: Summary of individual birds ringed (recaptures or recoveries for birds ringed before 2000 in brackets) at Sungei Buloh Nature park in 2000

Species	Qty		Species	Qty
1. Abbott's Babbler 2. Arctic Warbler 3. Ashy Tailorbird 4. Asian Brown Flycatcher 5. Asian Dowitcher 6. Baya Weaver 7. Black Bittern 8. Black-browed Reed Warbler 9. Black-capped Kingfisher 10. Black-naped Oriole 11. Black-tailed Godwit 12. Blue Magpie 13. Blue-tailed Bee-eater 14. Blue-throated Bee-eater 15. Brown Shrike 16. Brown-throated Sunbird 17. Chestnut Munia 18. Chestnut-winged Cuckoo 19. Cinnamon Bittern 20. Cinnamon-headed Pigeon 21. Collared Kingfisher 22. Collared Scops Owl 23. Common Goldenback 24. Common Iora 25. Common Kingfisher 26. Common Koel 27. Common Redshank 28. Common Sandpiper 29. Common Tailorbird 30. Crow-billed Drongo 31. Curlew Sandpiper 32. Dark-necked Tailorbird 33. Drongo Cuckoo 34. Eurasian Curlew 35. Greater Sand Plover 36. Green-winged Pigeon 37. Japanese Sparrowbawk 38. Javan Munia 39. Laced Woodpecker 40. Large-tailed Nightjar	2 3 20(1) 2 1 60 5 1 6 5 1 1 3 6 4 73(4) 2 4 5 1 42(7) 5(1) 1(1) 6 15 2 263(24) 9(1) 15 1 26 3 1 1 1 13(1) 2 80 4 1		41. Lesser Coucal 42. Little Bronze Cuckoo 43. Little Heron 44. Magpie Robin 45. Marsh Sandpiper 46. Mongolian Plover 47. Olive-backed Sunbird 48. Olive-winged Bulbul 49. Oriental Reed Warbler 50. Oriental Scops Owl 51. Pacific Golden Plover 52. Pacific Swallow 53. Peaceful Dove 54. Philippine Glossy Starling 55. Pied Fantail 56. Pied Triller 57. Pink-necked Pigeon 58. Red-legged Crake 59. Ruddy Kingfisher 60. Rufous-tailed Tailorbird 61. Rusty-breasted Cuckoo 62. Scaly-breasted Munia 63. Scarlet-backed Flowerpecker 64. Siberian Blue Robin 65. Slaty-breasted Rail 66. Spotted Dove 67. Stork-billed Kingfisher 68. Terek Sandpiper 69. Tiger Shrike 70. Watercock 71. Whimbrel 72. White-breasted Waterben 73. White-browed Crake 74. White-chested Babbler 75. White-throated Kingfisher 76. Yellow Bittern 77. Yellow-bellied Prinia 78. Yellow-rumped Flycatcher 79. Yellow-vented Buibul	1 1 9 12(1) 25 61(2) 1 7 2 1 27(1) 7 6 53(1) 10(1) 1 8 1 1 15 1 45 1 3 1 3 9 16(1) 16 1 13 5(1) 1 (1) 10 17 3(1) 5 60(3)

Table 2: Longevity Records (Selected species)
at least 6 months for resident birds or 1 season for migrants

Species	Date ringed	Date recaptured	Interval (months)
Black-capped Kingfisher Brown-throated Sunbird Collared Kingfisher Collared Scops Owl Common Goldenback Common Iora Common Redshank Common Sandpiper Green-winged Pigeon Javan Munia Mongolian Plover Pacific Golden Plover Peaceful Dove Terek Sandpiper White-breasted Waterhen White-browed Crake White-chested Babbler Yellow Bittern Yellow-vented Bulbul	22 Mar 00 28 Mar 97 29 Jul 94 23 Aug 96 29 May 96 22 Mar 00 1 Nov 90 3 Dec 99 23 Aug 96 23 Mar 00 15 Dec 94 12 Jan 94 23 May 00 7 Feb 94 7 Oct 97 22 Mar 00 22 Aug 96 22 Mar 00 29 May 96	20 Dec 00 16 Jun 00 25 Aug 00 20 Dec 00 24 May 00 21 Nov 00 27 Nov 00 11 Sep 00 19 Jul 00 21 Dec 00 27 Sep 00 12 Oct 00 23 Nov 00 28 Nov 00 23 May 00 17 Oct 00 25 May 00 21 Dec 00 16 Jun 00	9 36 73 52 48 8 121 9 47 9 69 81 6 82 31 7 45 9 49

gems of
sungei buloh nature park

chan su hooi
education officer
puts forth the work of
the volunteers to you

Being strong supporters of nature conservation, volunteers play a paramount role as nature advocates. The rewards that are reaped from their efforts are bountiful.

Volunteers? You would probably associate these people to meaningful work like spending time with old folks, giving tuition to under-privileged kids or helping out at a special school. Volunteers at Sungei Buloh Nature Park, on the other hand, contribute in a totally different aspect. What do they do?

Group photo of staff and volunteers

Building rapport
among volunteers

They share the joy of observing and learning about nature by conducting guided walks for the public on Saturdays and Sundays; run programmes and activities organised by the Park; connect volunteers through creating a volunteer corner on the Park's website; share their knowledge and expertise by conducting training for other volunteers; make the Park an even more interesting and exciting place by brainstorming for creative ideas; share their captured beauty of nature by contributing photographs; share their thoughts on nature by contributing articles; and assist in our study of this unique habitat by participating in the Park's research work.

Sungei Buloh Nature Park, certainly needs dedicated people like our volunteers to keep it growing. Their efforts are much appreciated by the mangroves, the wildlife and of course, the staff of Sungei Buloh. We all have the same goal, which is to pass on Sungei Buloh as it is to the future generation, so let's continue to work towards that! Let our love for the Park continue to flourish. Bravo to all!

our long suffering
“mother”

by julian w
park volunteer

In today's fast-paced society, have you ever asked yourself if you have spent enough time with your loved ones? Most of us are too busy working and we often neglect the opportunity to spend time with them.

The same scenario also applies to our planet Earth, affectionately known as "Mother Earth". It is not, without a good reason, why we call her "Mother". From the day Man walked on the surface of the Earth, we live off her resources. She feeds us from her reserves of forests, rivers and ocean. She also provides us with water, a vital necessity for life. Unfortunately, Man has not been filial to her. Every year, rain forest many times the size of Singapore is destroyed for industrial, agricultural and commercial purposes; the ocean poached for seafood every day; rivers poisoned with industrial waste; the list just seems endless.

It is imperative for us to realise immediately, the harm that we are inflicting on our "Mother". We are plundering her resources much faster than she can regenerate. By doing so, we are upsetting Nature's intricate web of balance. Landslides, floods and global warming are tell-tale signs that our "Mother" might not he able to withstand our abuse. Rising global temperature have caused the ice sheets to shrink at both poles. Clearing rain forest also contribute to global warming. Imagine if there are no trees left, what would the world he like? It would most likely become a desert. I believe that it would take great effort to try and restore what has been destroyed. It would also take much effort to prevent extant flora and fauna from extinction. Everyone, as citizens of this world, should play their part in environmental conservation. Any effort, be it individual or group, and no matter how small or insignificant, helps.

It is time for us to show our concern. We have ONLY one chance and if we lose this chance now, it could spell extinction not only for the environment but perhaps also for Mankind. Maybe for our very own survival; our aim to preserve Mankind for eternity, we should start doing something now?

Vol 8 No 1 Apr 2001 Breathing organs in mangroves Bird watching techniques A place in space: epiphytes Bird ringing in 2000 Gems of the park: volunteers Our long suffering "mother" Public talks at the park Reflections of a nature warden		Public talks are regular affairs at Sungei Buloh Nature Park. Speakers range from invited specialists from different fields to the Park's own staff. Various topics were raised and discussed, all in the hope of increasing nature awareness among our visitors. Here are extracts of the talks that took place. fabulous figs by joseph lai conservation officer Figs are fabulous plants possessing one of nature's strangest growth habits and handsome diversity of forms. The figs have a quiet but quintessential place in ancient civilizations, religion, mythology and traditions. Numbering about 800 species worldwide and distributed throughout the tropics and temperate regions, figs are well recognized especially the massive rooting banyans. Like rays of divine light, the banyan roots stream earthbound with seemingly reckless abandonment, filling not only the soft earth but also the fertile imagination of man. But here lies the paradox. Loved and revered by many, yet to some it is hated and condemned as a strangler of other trees or destroyer of buildings. However, not all figs are stranglers or destroyers. This talk held on 10 Dec 2000 helped to increase public awareness of how fabulously beautiful figs are, how interesting they are in many aspects and most importantly, how vital figs are in the world. encounters with places and plants by ali ibrahim conservation officer From the rare Rafflesia to the giant Redwood, plants are fascinating to look at. Often as you encounter plants or gain some kind of understanding about them, you will be keen to read or travel to places far and remote to further discover their special beauty. In this talk, Ali Ibrabim shared his encounters with places and plants to the public.
		© Sungei Buloh Nature Park

reflections of a
nature warden

by ramakrishnan r k
senior ranger

My love for animals started when I was a young boy, encouraged by my dad when he realized that I had amazingly good relationships with them. My collection of pets was slowly built up with his help. However, a time came when I had to give them up as we had to move house. Nevertheless my interest and respect for nature remained and grew.

The thought of being close to nature has always been on my mind and I was keen to find a job that would bring me closer to nature. The break came on January 9th of 1995 when I was selected to work as a Park Warden at Sungei Buloh Nature Park. Never did I, like many Singaporeans, realize that tucked in the Northwest of Singapore is a nature park brimming with great treasures.

With its diverse habitats, the Park supports innumerable species of plants and animals, that are adapted to the different habitats like freshwater ponds, brackish water ponds and mudflats. The Park is an ideal and important stopover point for many migratory birds flying between Siberia and tropical Southeast Asia during winter. The mangrove trees with their unique features of adaptation can tolerate saline conditions being endowed with a physiological mechanism for salt exclusion (e.g,. by excretion) and are morphologically adapted to their environment (e.g., by having aerial roots and vivapary of the embryo). This ecosystem also provides food and shelter for the animals.

During my five-year career, my passion for nature has developed further and I have grown to love and appreciate the park even more. What I do takes on added significance.Where once I took care of a few animals as pets, now I help to take care of a diverse habitat with many unique plants and animals.