BlogSg2008
In preparation for our trip, Dr. Rittshof shared the thoughts that “We're seeing an interesting phenomenon where caring decreases with loss of touch with nature—“ and “The…… concern is the shifting baseline of realization—(that people accommodate to the state of the environment which they inherit or which they see slowly decay). On my first day in Singapore, Dr. Dan and I shared a table at a food stall with a middle class family, the father of which was knowledgeable about climate change, el nino, la nina and world events but when the two sons were asked where in Singapore was their favorite place to go, they quickly said “home” and when queried, they had never visited Chek Jawa, Sunei Buloh, St. John’s Island and many other nature sites or outdoor recreation areas. It appeared that this family has adapted to life within a narrow range of experience—dad also said besides an uncommon game of golf, his favorite place was also home and he had visited very few sites on this island city-state that is 15 by 25 miles. We explained our course goal of learning how Singapore manages planning and decision-making about ecological issues—he summed up his view very positively with a gentle grin—“we live together” which I took as expressing an attitude, not only geography..
By contrast, others I have met validate the perception that things are beginning to change—those interested in the environment advocate more often and more effectively, many levels of government solicit citizen input and increasingly want to be seen acting responsibly for citizens and natural resources, and joint success has occurred.
As for the status of shorebirds, one expert said simply “there are no shores”—their habitat substantially gone—another added that many of the remaining shorebirds have moved to reside on the waste disposal sites (though sophisticated “rubbish” heaps) such as Semaku Island. The intense dredging and land reclamation ( extensive enough to add the equivalent of 16,000 football fields to the island country has changed bird, mollusk and invertebrate habitat. A lighthouse now sits far inland and a WWII beachfront bunker now sits out of place amidst a housing neighborhood with no visible water or beach.
Thus far I have seen no shore or shorebirds since arrival. Mynas, sparrows, rare pigeon and cattle egrets have been seen and cowbirds have been heard with their distinctive call—all introduced species/ none native.
Singapore Bird census (2007):
146 species=40%decrease from187 last year (205 in 2005)—100 resident and 46 migratory this year—explanation uncertain
1/3 of original avifauna now extinct
56 species listed as at risk
12 globally at risk out of 364 species recorded in Singapore
(source WildBirdSingapore –see website)
In preparation for our trip, Dr. Rittshof shared the thoughts that “We're seeing an interesting phenomenon where caring decreases with loss of touch with nature—“ and “The…… concern is the shifting baseline of realization—(that people accommodate to the state of the environment which they inherit or which they see slowly decay). On my first day in Singapore, Dr. Dan and I shared a table at a food stall with a middle class family, the father of which was knowledgeable about climate change, el nino, la nina and world events but when the two sons were asked where in Singapore was their favorite place to go, they quickly said “home” and when queried, they had never visited Chek Jawa, Sunei Buloh, St. John’s Island and many other nature sites or outdoor recreation areas. It appeared that this family has adapted to life within a narrow range of experience—dad also said besides an uncommon game of golf, his favorite place was also home and he had visited very few sites on this island city-state that is 15 by 25 miles. We explained our course goal of learning how Singapore manages planning and decision-making about ecological issues—he summed up his view very positively with a gentle grin—“we live together” which I took as expressing an attitude, not only geography..
By contrast, others I have met validate the perception that things are beginning to change—those interested in the environment advocate more often and more effectively, many levels of government solicit citizen input and increasingly want to be seen acting responsibly for citizens and natural resources, and joint success has occurred.
As for the status of shorebirds, one expert said simply “there are no shores”—their habitat substantially gone—another added that many of the remaining shorebirds have moved to reside on the waste disposal sites (though sophisticated “rubbish” heaps) such as Semaku Island. The intense dredging and land reclamation ( extensive enough to add the equivalent of 16,000 football fields to the island country has changed bird, mollusk and invertebrate habitat. A lighthouse now sits far inland and a WWII beachfront bunker now sits out of place amidst a housing neighborhood with no visible water or beach.
Thus far I have seen no shore or shorebirds since arrival. Mynas, sparrows, rare pigeon and cattle egrets have been seen and cowbirds have been heard with their distinctive call—all introduced species/ none native.
Singapore Bird census (2007):
146 species=40%decrease from187 last year (205 in 2005)—100 resident and 46 migratory this year—explanation uncertain
1/3 of original avifauna now extinct
56 species listed as at risk
12 globally at risk out of 364 species recorded in Singapore
(source WildBirdSingapore –see website)
1 comment:
I can't wait to show you the shores and shorebirds that Singapore has! We visit Semakau this Friday!
Looking forward to that.
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