Biodiversity in Singapore
With the proposed population increase to 6.9 million citizens, the tension between preserving our natural heritage and developing our land for practical uses increases substantially. In an effort to examine whether our natural heritage is still worth preserving in the face of competing land uses, this essay analyzes the benefits that our biodiversity continues to provide us with in modern society. Throughout this analysis, relevant examples are drawn from published studies, as well as practices of organizations / individuals from other countries.
Today, the primary forests in Singapore are confined to areas such as the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve and the Central Catchment Nature Reserve. These places provide one of the few remaining locations in the country where people can enjoy a moment away from the hustle and bustle of civilization, indulging in ‘stress recovery/restoration’1. Numerous studies have been done on the practice of Shinrin-Yoku, which means to ‘bathe’ in the forest air, and most of their findings suggest that it has significant therapeutic effects on human health2. For example, blood glucose levels of diabetic patients were shown to decrease substantially, and individuals suffering from acute emotional stresses such as depression or aggression exhibited a more relaxed state of mind as their problems are made to seem more manageable3, 4.
The preservation of our primary forests also provides natural sites for physical activity in maintaining healthy lifestyles, which is important, as studies done in the US suggest that every dollar invested in physical activity results in $3.2 in medical cost savings1. The White Paper addresses this issue by proposing the development of extensive park connector networks. However, these man-made parks are likely to require higher maintenance costs than the primary forests as they are not self-sustaining5. Naturally, the richness of species in primary forests are much higher than in these parks, which further allows
Today, the primary forests in Singapore are confined to areas such as the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve and the Central Catchment Nature Reserve. These places provide one of the few remaining locations in the country where people can enjoy a moment away from the hustle and bustle of civilization, indulging in ‘stress recovery/restoration’1. Numerous studies have been done on the practice of Shinrin-Yoku, which means to ‘bathe’ in the forest air, and most of their findings suggest that it has significant therapeutic effects on human health2. For example, blood glucose levels of diabetic patients were shown to decrease substantially, and individuals suffering from acute emotional stresses such as depression or aggression exhibited a more relaxed state of mind as their problems are made to seem more manageable3, 4.
The preservation of our primary forests also provides natural sites for physical activity in maintaining healthy lifestyles, which is important, as studies done in the US suggest that every dollar invested in physical activity results in $3.2 in medical cost savings1. The White Paper addresses this issue by proposing the development of extensive park connector networks. However, these man-made parks are likely to require higher maintenance costs than the primary forests as they are not self-sustaining5. Naturally, the richness of species in primary forests are much higher than in these parks, which further allows
References: 11. Samet, J. M.; Dominici, F.; Curriero, F. C.; Coursac, I.; Zeger, S. L., Fine particulate air pollution and mortality in 20 US cities, 1987–1994. New England journal of medicine 2000, 343 (24), 1742-1749. 13. Pan, Y.; Birdsey, R. A.; Fang, J.; Houghton, R.; Kauppi, P. E.; Kurz, W. A.; Phillips, O. L.; Shvidenko, A.; Lewis, S. L.; Canadell, J. G., A large and persistent carbon sink in the world’s forests. Science 2011, 333 (6045), 988-993.