Global Seminar on Sustainability 2011 07 August 2011 Labrador Nature Reserve The Labrador Nature Reserve (LNR) is one of the four “nature reserves” in Singapore, which include the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, the Central Catchment Nature Reserve and the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve. It consists of cliff, beach and secondary forest vegetation, and also contains the only remaining natural rocky shore on the southern coastline of mainland Singapore. Brief History 1951 Labrador Park was first gazetted as a nature reserve under the Nature Reserves Ordinance Act on 16th February. 1973 Labrador Park was de-gazzeted to a nature park. 2002 10ha of coastal secondary vegetation and the rocky shore of Labrador Park was re- gazetted as a nature reserve since 1st January. 2009 Labrador rocky shore gate permanently closed by park management since 10th June. Nature Reserves Protected by the Parks and Trees Act 2005, these activities are prohibited: - Capture, displacement or feeding of animals; possession of nets or traps in these areas - Cutting, collecting or displacing of any part of plants or trees Figure 1: [Left] Map of Singapore adapted from Todd & Chou (2005). [Right] The LNR (outlined in red) is surrounded by several developments: Keppel Country Club, ferry terminals and a bustling Pasir Panjang Port (outlined in black). Biological and historical significance Inland portion: a mix of coastal, and tall secondary forest, 1 Followed by cliff vegetation Labrador Beach: The only remaining stretch of natural rocky shore left on mainland Singapore Only remaining stretch of fringing reef along west and southwest coast of mainland Singapore Surprisingly high flora and fauna diversity Famous for its many historical sites of WWII bunkers and tunnels Human activities Impacts Developments impacting the Nature Reserve: - Coastal reclamation projects in adjacent coasts destroyed neighbouring reefs - Reclamation of eastern end of Labrador beach into the current park - Western end used to be impacted by thermal effluent from a now-decommissioned power plant - Jetty constructed in the middle of Labrador beach: > previously used to transfer oil between small tankers and storage tanks, > subsequently replaced by a larger one that is now favoured by fishing enthusiasts - Trench excavated across intertidal flat to lay submarine service lines in 2007/08 High visitorship: - Having a restaurant in its grounds, and a hotel and spa adjacent to it - Recreational and educational activities Mitigation efforts Damage control – Permanent limited access to Labrador beach to allow its recovery Future plan – Proposed “green network” that will connect the nearby parks together, including Kent Ridge Park which is just beside NUS! For more information, please visit the National Parks Board’s LNR website: http://tinyurl.com/LabradorNR Or the following readings: Tan H.T.W., Chou L.M., Yeo D.C.J., Ng P.K.L. 2010. The Natural Heritage of Singapore, 3rd edition. Prentice Hall-Pearson Education South Asia Pte Ltd, Singapore. Todd P.A., Chou L.M. 2005. A tale of survival: Labrador Park, Singapore. Coral Reefs, 24: 391. 2.