This trip was my first time going on a guided nature walk and I learnt so many new things! It was fascinating to not just learn about the plant and animal life present in SBWR but also its ecological significance as a stopover for migratory birds and home to large mangrove forests. Learning how different animals, and even humans depend on the mudflats and mangroves really shows the indispensable role the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve plays in our local ecosystem.
My favourite part of the trip was watching the mud lobsters (sadly I didn’t get a picture) digging and eating the food particles in the mud. These creatures are keystone species in the habitat because the fresh mud which they push to the surface creates pockets of air where oxygen can reach the roots of plants, sustaining life in the mangroves. The coolest part is that the mounds they create are homes for other animals such as crabs, ants and shrimp (like a ‘condo developer’!) Wonder if they have to pay to use the swimming pools…
It was wonderful learning so much fun trivia that I never knew about our environment. Even though I’m still new to learning about our local biodiversity, I hope I will have more chances to explore it in the future 🙂
BFF Biodiversity Challenge 2020 