Latest news with #WorldSparrowDay
Time of India
7 hours ago
- Science
- Time of India
Singapore launches first seagrass restoration project to protect coastal ecosystems
Singapore begins inaugural seagrass restoration initiative On May 29, a team of researchers and assistants began seagrass transplantation efforts at East Coast Park as part of Singapore's first seagrass restoration project. The group collected and potted seagrass for relocation to the Sisters' Islands, marking the start of a national initiative focused on understanding seagrass reproduction and developing sustainable transplantation practices. The restoration project is co-led by Dr Samantha Lai, deputy director at the National Parks Board's (NParks) National Biodiversity Centre, and Dr Ow Yan Xiang, senior research fellow at the National University of Singapore's Tropical Marine Science Institute (TMSI). Launched in September 2024 with nearly S$1 million in funding from OCBC Bank, the project aims to recover seagrass meadows and enhance marine biodiversity . by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Join new Free to Play WWII MMO War Thunder War Thunder Play Now Undo Also read: World Sparrow Day 2025: Sparrows are important for the ecology and there need to protect them from extinct Seagrass meadows offer critical ecosystem services, providing food and shelter for marine life, acting as nurseries for fish larvae, stabilizing sediment, and serving as carbon sinks. The project addresses the rapid annual loss of seagrass beds in Southeast Asia, estimated at 5 per cent. Live Events Focus on seagrass reproduction and transplantation techniques Dr Ow's research, based at the St John's Island National Marine Laboratory (SJINML), centers on the sexual reproduction cycles of tropical seagrass. Unlike their temperate counterparts, tropical species do not have well-documented flowering patterns. Singapore hosts 12 known seagrass species, but only two sickle seagrass ( Thalassia hemprichii ) and tape seagrass ( Enhalus acoroides ) and have well-characterized reproductive cycles. 'These two species tend to have longer lifespans and thus bigger biomasses, so their fruits and flowers are more visible,' said Dr Ow to The Straits Times. 'But for the 10 other species we have in Singapore, we really have no idea when they flower.' Dr Lai's team is focused on refining transplantation methods to ensure seagrass survival. They pair donor and recipient sites with similar water, sediment quality, and hydrodynamic conditions to minimize shock during transplantation. The goal is to increase survival rates of transplanted seagrass, which have historically been low due to human activity or marine life such as crabs. Monitoring and challenges of seagrass transplantation The research team monitors newly transplanted meadows using leaf length measurements and pulse-amplitude modulated fluorometers, which assess the plants' photosynthetic activity. The team works during low tide periods, typically lasting about two hours, and often faces weather-related challenges such as thunderstorms. Also read: Startups show off ocean-preserving tech at Paris trade fair Dr Lai noted that in one transplant site, nearly all leaves had disappeared within two weeks, but added that the rhizomes appeared healthy. 'The seagrass may grow back,' she said to The Straits Times. Beyond ecosystem support, seagrass meadows reduce coastal erosion through their underground root systems and rhizomes, while also capturing atmospheric carbon dioxide. 'Seagrasses punch above their weight,' said Dr Ow. 'They occupy such a small area of our ocean space, just 0.1 per cent, but they provide so many ecosystem functions.' Public engagement and future coastal development plans Singapore's seagrass restoration efforts coincide with upcoming coastal development initiatives, including land reclamation. Dr Lai highlighted that the restoration project is taking place at a site reclaimed in the 1960s and 1970s, where seagrass has since regrown. 'This gives us hope that when we do the future Long Island reclamation, we can recreate these habitats to get the species to come back,' she said. Volunteers will play a key role in expanding restoration efforts. NParks' Team Seagrass citizen science program, established in 2007, monitors seagrass meadows in Chek Jawa, Pulau Semakau, and Cyrene Reef. These volunteer-led efforts will support transplant activities at future sites. Also read: Largest Harappan metropolis struggling for preservation Public participation has been strong. 'Growing up in an urbanised society, most of us really have no opportunity to go out and look at what's happening at our coastlines,' said Dr Ow. 'But I think it is very encouraging, having the public show more awareness not just of the seagrass, but also the natural coastal ecosystems that we have, that really helps to let policymakers know that this is what people care about.'
South China Morning Post
30-03-2025
- General
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong artists use sparrows to show bird's-eye view of Tai Kok Tsui's urban ecology
A sparrow's brown back, black streaks and grey belly may seem ordinary, but these small birds play a crucial role in urban ecology – pollinating flowers and ridding the streets of pests. In honour of World Sparrow Day, which was March 20, Hong Kong artists are using this bird to reimagine the connection between urban spaces and ecology. They have been brought together by 'Art for Renewal: Environmental Conservation in Action', a campaign encouraging people to appreciate the coexistence of city life and nature in the Tai Kok Tsui neighbourhood. Urban sketcher David Chui is leading a series of birdwatching and sketching workshops in Tai Kok Tsui in collaboration with the Hong Kong Bird Watching Society. From now until July, he is inviting workshop participants to observe and illustrate the city's birds, fostering a deeper appreciation for urban wildlife. 'When we draw, we notice the intricate details ... Even the sparrow, often overlooked, has surprisingly complex patterns and textures,' Chui explained. 'Observing their movements up close, I find them incredibly charming. The way they hop, eat and interact with people shows their unique character.' For Chui, his urban sketches are more than an exercise in observation – they are a way to build connections. 'Through my paintings, I hope to help people experience another world – a world of colours and beauty. By appreciating nature's artistry, we deepen our awareness of conservation,' he said. Urban sketcher David Chui guides people in observing and drawing birds in Tai Kok Tsui. Photo: Handout Why urban birds are important Sparrows are helpful environmental indicators as their population trends reflect the health of urban ecosystems. Since 2018, Hong Kong has maintained a sparrow population between 200,000 and 250,000, according to the Hong Kong Bird Watching Society. John Chung Chun-ting, a research officer of the society, said the 2024 population had dropped by nearly 30 per cent compared to the estimated 300,000 sparrows in 2016. 'While the exact causes remain unclear due to survey limitations, urban redevelopment and high-rise construction may be reducing viable nesting spaces,' he said. Sparrows build nests not only on plants but also on drains, vents, walls and air conditioning units. Thus, their numbers are sensitive to redevelopment and a reduction of green spaces. Hong Kong's towering glass buildings also pose a threat to bird populations. A report from the birdwatching society released last September recorded 309 cases of birds colliding with windows in one year. Nearly 30 per cent involved conservation species, and over 90 per cent of the birds were found dead. AI can detect wildfires and monitor endangered birds in Hong Kong To deepen public engagement in bird conservation, the group organises volunteers to conduct an annual census of common urban bird species, including sparrows and doves. The 2024 survey saw a record-high post-pandemic participation of 250 volunteers. 'Long-term monitoring is essential to understanding population trends and ensuring effective conservation efforts,' Chung said. Among the 18 districts surveyed, Tuen Mun had the highest concentration of sparrows, averaging 90 per route. In Yau Tsim Mong, where Tai Kok Tsui is located, the survey found an average of 44 sparrows per route. Of the survey's six categories of land, sparrows were most commonly found in residential, rural and recreational areas, with residential zones alone housing an estimated 66,000 birds – nearly 30 per cent of the total population. Look at the city through a bird's eye The 'Art for Renewal' campaign is part of a larger community art initiative, 'RE: Tai Kok Tsui', run by the Hong Kong Arts Centre and sponsored by the Urban Renewal Fund. Gordon Lo, the project director of 'RE: Tai Kok Tsui', explained why the initiative was focused on this area. 'We see Tai Kok Tsui as a microcosm of Hong Kong – where residential, commercial and industrial areas converge. It includes reclaimed land and reflects a dense, layered relationship between old and new communities,' he said. Another highlight of the initiative was a live painting of a mural that uses the city's birds to bring attention to environmental conservation. At the Olympian City mall earlier this month, local comic artist ArYu, who preferred to use only her nickname, introduced Bird Sight, a painting that offered a bird's-eye view of the city. Through this piece, she hoped to inspire the public to observe their surroundings more attentively and raise awareness of urban ecological conservation. Dodo bird shows how humans cause animal extinction 'When I walked through this area, I noticed how old and new elements coexist in harmony,' ArYu shared. 'I wanted to depict the city from a bird's perspective. Since so many different things come together here, if I were a bird, this would also be my home.' She explained the meaning behind her painting: 'How would I view this city? The idea is: you don't disturb me; I don't disturb you. I can live here freely and naturally.' Erica Chui Cheuk-wah, the chief executive and board secretary of the Urban Renewal Fund, emphasised that all of these art projects showed 'a commitment to cultural heritage and ecological coexistence'. 'Our goal is to preserve the district's unique history,' she said. 'By fostering a cityscape that coexists with nature, this initiative not only highlights Tai Kok Tsui's cultural identity but also addresses ecological needs.' Stop and think: Why does the bird watching society keep track of sparrows in Hong Kong? Why this story matters: Hong Kong is a mixture of urban and natural environments, and we must be mindful of this balance as we share this space with other animals. Art projects like these help people to be more aware of the animals and plants in their urban spaces.
