Revised biodiversity loss essay outline

Qns: What can the Singapore government do to prevent further diversity loss in its nature reserves?

Thesis: The loss of biodiversity in nature reserves is a significant issue resulting from Singapore's continuous urbanization; the Singapore government would have to do more than simply classifying an area as a nature reserve, in order to safeguard Singapore’s biodiversity.

Solutions:

•         Implement species conservation and recovery programmes
•         Extend green corridors to counter fragmentation
•         Reconsider development projects that threatens the biodiversity

Essay

The loss of biodiversity in nature reserves is a significant issue resulting from Singapore's continuous urbanization; the Singapore government would have to do more than simply classifying an area as a nature reserve, in order to safeguard Singapore’s biodiversity. By the end of the 19th century, Singapore, a country with an urban population of a hundred percent, had become one of the most cosmopolitan cities in Asia. Even till today, the rapid development has never been at a standstill with the constant revelation of new commercial, residential, recreational and transport developments, which are propelled by the government’s vision, in turning Singapore into an international business hub. With Singapore being a land-scarce country, urbanization comes at the price of either land reclamation or deforestation, with both being threats to Singapore’s biodiversity; however, the focus of this paper would be on the latter. This paper would be examining the consequences of the loss of biodiversity in the contemporary society, as well as highlighting and evaluating the solutions the government could adopt.    

The loss of biodiversity is a dire consequence because it affects every living organism in Singapore. Clean water is achieved through the forest’s protection of the water catchment area and plants regulate the fresh air. Fruits and flowers are available to humans due to insects’ pollination, while birds and animals disperse the seeds. Natural ecosystems found in Sungei Buloh, Bukit Timah, Pulau Ubin, etc., are also needed for Singaporean’s recreational and educational purposes. With 95 percent of Singapore’s original forest being exchanged for urbanization, habitat destruction threatens the extinction of vulnerable and endemic species. Therefore the government has to do more, on top of creating nature reserves. 

Implement more species conservation and recovery programmes

Over the years, the National Environmental Agency (NEA) has carried out activities to conserve and recover several native species. An example is the Oriental Pied Hornbills, which is a national and international concern. The tropical rainforest is the richest in biodiversity; with Singapore having it as one of its resources, the government should extend such programmes to other species. This is critical since Singapore has lost up to 73 percent of its flora and fauna over the last two centuries and 77 percent of those remaining, are being threatened. 

Extend green corridors to counter fragmentation

The remaining forests in Singapore, labeled as nature reserves are highly fragmented and largely degraded, due to developments. Transportation is one of the main reasons with the Singapore government building highways across fragments of nature reserves. An example is the BKE expressway being built across Bukit Timah nature reserve and the central catchment area, causing the high occurrences of road kills when animals try crossing over. The government has plans for an Eco-Link bridge to reconnect Bukit Timah and the central catchment and subsequently, more green corridors should be developed and eventually allow animals to transverse across various nature reserves. 

Reconsider development projects that threatens the biodiversity

The government should conduct an environmental impact assessment in order to evaluate the trade off made to construct the new cross-island line. (TBC)