Singapore, a bustling city-state, stands out globally for its unique integration of natural environments within a highly urbanized landscape. Despite its modest geographical footprint and high population density, Singapore has fostered a remarkable natural heritage. The city demonstrates how a modern metropolis can coexist with and cultivate rich biodiversity, offering residents and visitors a green respite.
Nature’s Urban Embrace
Singapore’s urban planning is guided by its “City in a Garden” vision, which has evolved into the “City in Nature” initiative. This approach weaves green spaces into the urban fabric. Concepts like vertical greenery, sky gardens, and green corridors are integral to this design philosophy. Vertical gardens adorn high-rise buildings, improving air quality and mitigating the urban heat island effect.
The city’s Park Connector Network exemplifies this integration, offering over 300 kilometers of green corridors that link parks and natural areas. These connectors allow wildlife to move through the urban environment and provide residents with accessible pathways for recreation. This biophilic design enhances livability and promotes environmental sustainability, reflecting a strategy to create a healthier, more sustainable home.
Rich Tapestry of Biodiversity
Despite its urbanization, Singapore hosts a diverse array of natural ecosystems. Remnants of primary rainforests, such as the Central Catchment Nature Reserve and Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, shelter a significant portion of the island’s terrestrial biodiversity. These areas provide refuge for mammals like the Malayan flying lemur and long-tailed macaques, alongside numerous bird species. Mangrove habitats and coastal ecosystems thrive, supporting unique plant life and various creatures.
Singapore’s marine environments, particularly around its southern islands, are rich. Coral reefs, covering an estimated 30 square kilometers, are home to over 250 species of hard corals, 200 species of sponges, and 120 species of reef fish. Seagrass meadows, with 12 identified species, provide nursery grounds for marine animals like sea stars, seahorses, and crabs. Even human-modified coastal areas, such as marinas, support diverse fish assemblages and naturally recruited corals.
Iconic Green Spaces
Singapore Botanic Gardens
The Singapore Botanic Gardens, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, encompasses a 15-acre rainforest and a vast orchid garden featuring over 3,000 species and hybrids. Visitors can observe monitor lizards roaming the grounds, experiencing a blend of cultivated beauty and nature.
Nature Reserves and Parks
Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, a 130-hectare ASEAN Heritage Park, serves as a stopover point for migratory birds along the East Asian-Australasian Flyway. Between August and April, thousands of birds rest and feed here, making it a prime location for birdwatching with over 200 species recorded. MacRitchie Reservoir Park, within the Central Catchment Nature Reserve, provides a rainforest experience. Its TreeTop Walk, an 820-foot suspension bridge, offers canopy views and opportunities to spot colugos and various bird species.
Gardens by the Bay
Gardens by the Bay showcases a blend of nature and technology. Its Supertrees, ranging from 25 to 50 meters tall, function as vertical gardens with photovoltaic cells to harvest solar energy. The cooled conservatories, Flower Dome and Cloud Forest, replicate diverse global climates, housing thousands of plant species from arid regions and tropical mountains.
Conservation and Stewardship
Singapore actively implements initiatives to protect and manage its natural heritage. Government agencies like the National Parks Board (NParks) lead efforts to conserve and enhance biodiversity. This includes expanding the nature park network, intensifying nature within existing gardens and parks, and restoring green spaces in urban areas. A goal is to plant a million more trees across the island by 2030 as part of the OneMillionTrees movement.
Habitat restoration programs are underway to rehabilitate and expand natural ecosystems, while comprehensive surveys document the island’s flora and fauna. Wildlife rescue organizations, such as ACRES and JK Wildlife, operate daily hotlines to respond to distressed animals, including pangolins, pythons, and civets. These efforts involve dedicated teams who rescue, rehabilitate, and release native species back into their habitats. Such actions by government and community groups ensure the long-term sustainability of Singapore’s environment.