Pasir Ris Mangroves

A 5 hectare patch of mature mangrove forest located at the North-eastern part of Singapore at Pasir Ris Park. The work of the 70.52 hectare park began in 1998 on land reclaimed between 1978 to 1979 and the mangroves were preserved by maintaining tidal inudations by digging a connection to Sungei Tampines.

Mangroves can be divided to three distict horizontal zones, the proximal(coastal) zone, the middle zone and the inland zone. These zones each have their own characteristic species of plants and animals, although there will always be an overlap of the zones, especially in disturbed mangroves. The Avicennia and Sonneratia species of mangrove trees are found at the proximal zone, the Rhizophora (shown below) can be found at the middle zone while the Bruguiera can be found at the inland zone.

Rhizophora can be identified by their prop roots. The Avicennia and Sonneratia have pencil-like roots while the Bruguiera has knee-like roots.

Here are some other plants we saw:

The pong pong tree.

Here, we have the sea holly. This plant grows on mounds of mud made by the mud lobsters. The leaves of this plant are quite unique. You can see that some of it are spiky and the others and rounded leaves.

The sea hibiscus plant which have heart shaped leaves.

We saw a number of animals though some like the water moniter lizard were well hidden. Mainly, we saw crabs, mudskippers and some fishes since it was the low tide at that time.

2 crabs on a muddy mound.

A number of molluscs on mangrove trees.

A giant mudskipper resting against a fallen branch.

Along the way, we came across a nursery of plants.

Unfortunately, there were sights of pollution and litter in the mangroves.

Mangroves provide significant value in the coastal zones as a buffer against erosion, storms and tsunamis. They also help to impede water flow; thereby enhancing the depostion of sediments in the area.

It is clear that efforts are being made to preserve the mangroves in Singapore. However, there are still selfish individuals who pollute the forest by littering and also it is evident that there are forms of more serious pollution in the forest. Mangrove forests are considered natural treatment "plants" for their ability to process waste materials carried by the water from rivers and streams. This includes human waste too. The bacteria in the soil can break down biodegradable wastes and convert them into nutrients for mangroves. Even so, there is still a limit the forest can take before any harm comes to it.

The mangroves, like the tropical rainforests of Singapore, have their own uinque diversity of flora and fauna that will not be found in any other forms of ecosystem. It is important that we realise the roles and importance of having mangroves at our coasts. For they deserve to be treated and preserved no less than the rainforests in Singapore or anywhere else. Let us appreciate the gifts the mangroves have to offer and do our part to preserve it.