| Sungel
Poyan Reservoir |
|
| Location: |
1°23'N, 103°40'E; on the west coast of Singapore Island. |
| Area:
|
c.60 ha. |
| Altitude |
Sea level. |
| Biogeographical
Province: |
4.7.1 |
|
Wetland
type: |
11, 15 & 17. |
|
Description
of site: |
A large water storage reservoir with fringing freshwater marshes, formed by the damming of the estuary of the Sungei Berih and Sungei Poyan rivers. The shallow edges of the reservoir and the slow moving rivers support a rich growth of aquatic vegetation. The reservoir is fed by the Berih and the Poyan, perennial rivers rising in the interior of the island. |
| Climatic
conditions: |
Humid tropical climate with an average annual rainfall of 2,373 mm, an average relative humidity of 85%, and temperatures in the range 23.7-30.7°C. |
|
Principal
vegetation: |
Flooded grassland and scrub, with some Achrostichum fern; old rubber plantations and secondary growth in adjacent areas. |
| Land
tenure: |
The wetland and surrounding areas are state owned. |
| Conservation
measures taken: |
None. The whole site lies in the centre of a military live-firing area and the public are denied access. Wildlife can be viewed through telescopes from a nearby hill-top. |
| Conservation
measures proposed: |
|
|
Land
use: |
Public water supply and Military live-firing range; some wasteland and cemeteries nearby. |
| Possible
changes in land use: |
|
| Disturbances and threats: | Constant movement of vehicles, troops and large calibre shells through the area. |
| Economic and social values: | None other than water supply. The area was a popular bird-watching and fishing spot before being closed off to the public. |
| Fauna: | Despite the disturbance, the area is rich in marshland birds. Of particular interest in that it is the only Singapore locality for Nettapus coromandelianus, Anas acuta and Fulica atra (a great rarity in Southeast Asia). It also holds Ardea cinerea, Dendrocygna javanica, Gallicrex cinerea, Gallinula chloropus and Porphyrio porphyrio in numbers which are significant by Singapore standards. For several years it provided an overwintering site for Greater Spotted Eagles Aquila clanga, and is one of the regular haunts of harriers (Circus spp) in winter. |
| Special floral values: | None known. |
| Research and facilities: | |
| References: | |
| Criteria for inclusion: | 2b. |
| Source: |
Christopher J. Hails. |