April 30, 2018

Considering that mangroves only cover 0.5% of Singapore’s land area, do these ecosystems really matter?

NUS Geography Associate Professor Daniel Friess shares with The Straits Times insightful findings after three years of research on the mangroves in Singapore. Mangroves offer both environmental and cultural benefit for Singapore, making them invaluable ecosystems worth our attention. The research has revealed that mangroves are crucial in protecting the coast from tides and storms, as well as providing nursery grounds for young fish. Failure to protect the small percentage of mangroves left in Singapore would mean the loss of fish species relying on these ecosystems. Associate Professor Friess also highlights the importance of mangroves in cooling the urban climate, vital in this era of global warming.

More interestingly, the research delves into the cultural benefits of these ecosystems upon surveying the public’s interaction with mangroves on social media. More than just a tourist attraction, it seems mangroves are valuable for educational purposes. The uploading of images reflect an appreciation for these ecosystems and value for the landscape. The study made use of such data to map out different segments of mangroves and their associated cultural value. Going beyond mere data analysis of an ecosystem, these findings might prove valuable in guiding future planning in Singapore, and other urbanising coastal cities in Southeast Asia.

Read A/P Friess’s full interview with ST here.

Find out more about the value of mangroves at NUS News.