This year’s UN World Wildlife Day will be celebrated with the theme “Recovering key species for ecosystem restoration”. The celebrations will seek to draw attention to the conservation status of some of the most critically endangered species of wild fauna and flora, and to drive discussions towards imagining and implementing solutions to conserve them. In this article, we look at what ecosystem restoration is and why it is important.
What is ecosystem restoration?
From our smartphones to our food, nature provides us with raw materials to survive and to live life comfortably. However, our comfort comes at a cost to the environment. In Singapore, we develop land for homes, recreation and industry. So how can we reduce – or reverse – our impact on wildlife? Here’s one way: ecosystem restoration.
So, what is ecosystem restoration? In simple terms, it involves reversing the degradation of ecosystems – such as mangroves, forests, or oceans – and restoring habitats to support plant and animal life.
There are many ways in which ecosystems can be restored – by allowing natural regeneration or improved land management. Beyond electric vehicles and switching to solar energy, restoring ecosystems is an example of natural climate solutions.
According to the Society for Ecological Restoration, coastal ecosystems, such as mangroves, seagrass meadows, and coral restoration can protect communities and inland habitats from storm surges and sea level rise, while restoring floodplains, wetlands, rivers, and streams reduces the risk of flooding.
Why is ecosystem restoration important?
Ecosystem restoration is crucial for many reasons. In the context of Singapore, ecosystem restoration of green spaces can help reduce the urban heat island effect (which is caused by urban development and the lack of greenery). This effect accounts for the difference in temperatures between urban areas and rural areas or areas with greenery. In some cases, urban areas can be three to ten degrees Celsius warmer than rural areas.
Compared to concrete (which allows for quick runoff of rainwater), green spaces and plants help to retain water in the soil. This can help to reduce ponding or flooding – especially important given our vulnerability to flash floods. In fact, the Public Utilities Board (PUB) have actually implemented bioswales – living vegetated channels – to manage our urban runoff.
For wildlife, ecosystem restoration can help to enhance habitats and increase access to food and shelter. Besides our resident wildlife, Singapore also serves as a stopover for migratory birds – who visit our habitats for rest and refuel while they escape winter in their countries of origin. In Singapore, our mangroves and wetlands also act as a form of coastal protection and can buffer against shoreline erosion. At the same time, they are “important nursery grounds and breeding sites for birds, insects, spiders, fishes, crustaceans, shellfish, reptiles and mammals”.
A local example of ecosystem restoration in Singapore is the restoration and enhancement of Kranji Marshes. According to Urban Redevelopment Authority, the 57-hectare freshwater marshland is home to more than 170 species of birds, 54 species of butterflies and 33 species of dragonflies, including the nationally threatened species Purple Swamphen.
Singapore has pledged 44 000 hectares for ecosystem restoration. Need I say more to make the case for ecosystem restoration? Will you join #GenerationRestoration?
Cover photo taken by Daniella Lim