| Sungei
Buloh Prawn Ponds and Mangrove |
|
| Location: |
1°27'N, 103°43'E; at the northwest corner of Singapore Island, to the west of the Sg. Buloh Besar. |
| Area:
|
c.20 ha. |
| Altitude |
0-5m. |
| Biogeographical
Province: |
4.7.1. |
|
Wetland
type: |
02, 03, 06, 07 & 10. |
|
Description
of site: |
An area of much degraded mangrove which has been almost entirely cleared for the construction of prawn culture ponds, and some better stands of mangrove on the small offshore island of Pulau Buloh. The whole system is adjacent to farmland where fruit and vegetables are grown and chickens raised. The ponds are fed by tidal inflow and run-off from nearby farmland, and vary in depth from 0-2m. The tidal range is 3.2m. |
| Climatic
conditions: |
Humid tropical climate with an average annual rainfall of 2,373 mm, an average relative humidity of 85%, and temperatures ranging from 23.7° to 30.7°C. |
|
Principal
vegetation: |
Mangroves; farmland and wasteland in adjacent areas. |
| Land
tenure: |
The land tenure of the site is not known. Ownership of the surrounding land probably reverts to the State as the farms are cleared. |
| Conservation
measures taken: |
None. |
| Conservation
measures proposed: |
A formal proposal for protection of the site has been submitted to the Government. |
|
Land
use: |
Aquaculture for prawns; agriculture in adjacent areas. |
| Possible
changes in land use: |
Many of the farms have been resettled by the Government, and there are plans to develop the area for agro-technology. |
| Disturbances and threats: | Possible future development. |
| Economic and social values: | The wetland has potential recreational value as a bird-watching area. |
| Fauna: | Forty-four species of waterbirds have been recorded, and concentrations of over 5,000 shorebirds have been observed. The site seems to be assuming greater importance as other locations on the island suitable for shorebirds are being lost. About 125 species of birds have been recorded at the site; this is 41% of the Singapore avifauna. |
| Special floral values: | The mangroves on Pulau Buloh seem to be unusually mature for Singapore. |
| Research and facilities: | |
| References: | |
| Criteria for inclusion: | 2b. |
| Source: |
Christopher J. Hails. |