Education and Research

Ubin School initiative

The Ubin School initiative was rolled out in 2024 to promote environmental education and stewardship among youths through multi-disciplinary programming and experiential learning. The initiative’s programmes incorporate projects under The Ubin Project, involve the Pulau Ubin community, and celebrate the island’s rich natural and cultural heritage.

Schools have also come aboard as partners for other programmes, including the design and fabrication of informative signs, painting of rubbish bins, wildlife monitoring, reforestation and nature camps.

Ubin Living Lab

The Ubin Living Lab (ULL) serves as an integrated facility for field studies, education and research, and community outreach. It is an outdoor learning classroom where activities are held to encourage visitors to learn about the biodiversity, heritage and culture of Pulau Ubin.

Sited at a former resort, the ULL was first announced in November 2014 as one of the initiatives under The Ubin Project. During the planning stage, different stakeholders gave suggestions on the development of ULL and its facilities, and their inputs were incorporated into the design.

Phase 1 of the project saw the refurbishment of two buildings from the former resort to house two laboratories, a multi-purpose hall, meeting and seminar rooms as well as two dormitories and a basic first-aid post. There is also a campsite that can accommodate up to 100 campers, and a mangrove arboretum that will eventually showcase all 35 mangrove species that can be found in Singapore.

Phase 2 saw the completion of the water treatment system as well as the new coastal arboretum that showcases about 500 trees representing around 70 native species that occur in the coastal environment in Singapore.

Future phases of the ULL will include the test-bedding of technologies in sustainable design and practices in waste management, electrical power supply, and green buildings.

Field Studies

Singapore Hornbill Project
Initiated in 2004 by French researcher Marc Cremades, and avid naturalist Professor Ng Soon Chye, the Singapore Hornbill Project studied the nesting ecology of the Oriental Pied Hornbill (Anthracoceros albirostris), such as the growth progression of nestlings, food requirements, and sensitivity to external disturbances. This was the first project in the world to document the breeding ecology of wild hornbills within the nest. The key objective was to enhance the population and distribution of this locally endangered bird in Singapore.
 
The bird’s breeding behaviour was monitored to better understand the factors behind nesting success and failure. Infrared video cameras were installed in both natural and artificial nests to capture what happens after a female seals herself in to raise her brood of chicks. Cameras outside the nests also recorded the activities of the males as they bring food to the nests.
Modern technology was also utilised to study the species. A Global Positioning System (GPS) transmitter was attached to a hornbill to obtain information on its movement, distribution and breeding territory.

Survey of Medium-sized Mammals
From September 2008 to March 2009, National University of Singapore undergraduate Marcus Chua conducted a survey to get an updated status of medium-sized mammals on Pulau Ubin. Line transects and camera trapping were deployed in forested areas in the eastern and western parts of the island.
The study produced distribution maps for four species of medium-sized mammals – the Common Palm Civet (Paradoxurus hermaphroditus), Greater Mousedeer (Tragulus napu), Long-tailed Macaque (Macaca fascicularis) and Wild Pig (Sus scrofa). The Long-tailed Macaque was recorded only in the east, while the other three species were found in forests in both the east and west.

The survey also resulted in the rediscovery of the Greater Mousedeer, which was last recorded from Singapore in 1923. It was found to be well distributed in the study sites and have an existing breeding population. Survey results also suggested the recreational use of the island which mainly takes place during the day does not interfere with the activity of the three largely nocturnal species, the Common Palm Civet, Greater Mousedeer and Wild Pig.

Seagrass Monitoring
Started in 2007 by Dr Siti Maryam Yaakub, TeamSeaGrass is a collaboration between the National Parks Board and Seagrass-Watch. The group carries out regular monitoring of seagrasses on Singapore’s shores.

Seagrasses are the only flowering plants adapted to living entirely immersed in seawater. They provide homes for many marine organisms and their underground stems and roots form a mat which stabilises the sediments. Seagrasses are also an important food source for marine animals such as turtles and dugongs.

Out of the 12 species of seagrasses found in Singapore, at least seven can be found at Chek Jawa Wetlands. The southern end of the seagrass lagoon at the wetlands is dominated by Ribbon Seagrass (Cymodocea rotundata) while the rest of the seagrass meadow there comprises a mix of species, including Spoon Seagrass (Halophila ovalis) and Needle Seagrass (Halodule uninervis).

Survey of Mangrove Insects
In 2012, Dr Patrick Grootaert of the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences embarked on a two-year survey of insects at four mangrove sites in Singapore, in collaboration with the National University of Singapore and National Parks Board. The number and diversity of insects serve as an indicator of the mangrove habitat quality.

The survey revealed that the mangroves at Chek Jawa Wetlands, Pulau Semakau (two sites) and Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve host a diverse assemblage of insects, many of which are confined to the mangrove habitat. Chek Jawa Wetlands alone is home to 77 species of long-legged flies, 36 fast-running flies, 14 termites, and 53 bees and wasps. There is a high percentage of long-legged flies and fast-running flies that are found in only one of the sites, and this highlights the importance of conserving multiple areas of mangrove habitats.

Biodiversity Surveys

To properly manage Pulau Ubin’s natural heritage, biodiversity surveys have been conducted to establish baseline inventories of plants and animals and provide insights about how a species is doing over time. The findings help in developing suitable strategies for conserving habitats and species, and maintaining a healthy ecosystem.

Baseline surveys of plants, mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, butterflies, fireflies and marine biodiversity have been carried out with the help of volunteers. A comprehensive survey will commence in late 2017 to update these inventories and establish new ones for other groups of wildlife like dragonflies and damselflies,  bees and wasps, ants, moths and spiders.

BioBlitz
The first BioBlitz@Ubin was conducted in December 2016 to provide an updated snapshot of Pulau Ubin’s biodiversity. It was also the first 24-hour biodiversity survey in Singapore. About 100 citizen scientists worked alongside experts and to survey a total of 15 different biodiversity groups, recording over 450 species.

Wildlife Monitoring
Transect and point count surveys are also regularly conducted for wildlife like birds and butterflies, as rapid indicators of the health of biodiversity and their habitats. During these surveys, volunteers conduct visual observations, listen for bird calls and record the number of species they encounter while walking specific routes. Schools are also roped in to help monitor the progress of habitat enhancement and species recovery projects on the island.

To supplement bird surveys, bird ringing sessions are also conducted. During these sessions, mist nets are put up to catch birds, and basic measurements and observations are recorded. A small ring with a unique number is then fitted around each bird’s leg before release. This allows researchers to identify and track the bird’s movement if it is recaptured in future surveys. Data collected from bird ringing surveys provide useful information on migratory patterns, life history, population, distribution and habitat use of different bird species.