In 1819, Singapore was mostly covered inrainforests. During that time, it still containedflora shared with theMalay Peninsula, but even then, thebiodiversity of fauna was relatively low. Following the establishment of theBritish trading post, rapiddeforestation began due to crop cultivation, and was largely completed by the 20th century. By some estimates, there has been a loss of 95% of thenatural habitats of Singapore over the course of the past 183 years.[2] Due to the deforestation, over 20 species offreshwater fish, 100 species ofbird, and a number of mammals became locallyextinct.[3] A 2003 estimate put the proportion of extinct species as over 28%.[4]
In modern times, over half of the naturally occurring fauna and flora in Singapore is present only in nature reserves, which comprise only 0.25% of Singapore's land area.[2] Estimates made in 2003 have said that the rapidhabitat destruction will culminate in a loss of 13-42% of populations in all ofSoutheast Asia.[5] To combat these problems, the Singaporean government made theSingapore Green Plan in 1992 and the new Singapore Green Plan in 2012 to continue it. The plan aims to keep tabs on the unstable populations of fauna and flora, to place new nature parks, and to connect existing parks. In addition, there were plans to set up a National Biodiversity Reference Centre (now known as theNational Biodiversity Centre).[6] The last goal was reached in 2006 when the centre was founded (it also accomplished the establishment of two new nature reserves in 2002[7]). Since its foundation it has been formulating various specific initiatives including attempts to conserve thehornbill and the raredragonflyIndothemis limbata.[8]
Singapore has roughly 80species ofmammals (out of 11 differentorders) including 45 species ofbats and three species of non-humanprimates.[9] Currently, the only introduced non-domestic mammal species in Singapore is thevariable squirrel.[10] The abundance of bats however has been decreasing rapidly due to habitat loss of over 95%.[11]
Singapore contains a relatively large number ofreptiles, a total of about 110 species (4 of which are introduced).[13] Most of the species, roughly 75 aresnakes (mainlyColubrid snakes).[14]
Singapore's land area is dominated by urban development that is interspaced bynatural reserves,waterways,parks and a large interlinked network of over 300 km of park connectors (PCN).[17] The indigenous fauna that has adapted to the urban environment includes the following:
Smooth coated otters (Lutrogale perspicllata) have expanded to 17 families "fishing for tilapia in waterways and sleeping under bridges". There were reports of people who had their prizedkoi collection decimated by hungry otters.[18]
Oriental pied hornbills (Anthracoceros albirostris) are native to Singapore, though the species declined to the point of local extinction during the 19th century.[20] These birds made a comeback, having established a thriving population onPulau Ubin and on occasion, can be sighted throughout Singapore.[21]
Wild boars (Sus scrofa) are native to Singapore with some weighing up to 100 kg. They have been sighted in urban areas close to forested areas. There are reports of wild boars attacking people who have strayed into their territory.[22]
Sambar deer (Rusa unicolor) which re-colonised theCentral Catchment Reserve after escaping from the zoo in the 1970s.[26] In 2023, there was a report of road kill along theBukit Timah Expressway.[27] In February 2024, according to the journalConservation Science and Practice, the mammal's population is believed to be increasing in several forested regions, including areas within the Central Catchment Nature Reserve near MacRitchie and Bukit Timah.[28]
^Corlett, Robert T. (July 1992). "The Ecological Transformation of Singapore, 1819-1990".Journal of Biogeography.19 (4). Blackwell Publishing:411–420.doi:10.2307/2845569.JSTOR2845569.
