mangrove conservation in singapore: moribund trees, endangered epiphytes

CONTENTS

Fauna index

Mangrove conservation in Singapore

Peter K L Ng and N Sivasothi (editors)

Endangered Epiphytes

Epiphytes, which are plants which grow on other plants, form a major component of the life-forms found in an undisturbed mangrove forest.

Mangrove
Conservation
in Singapore
Coastal Cleanup
Oil spills
Moribund trees
Endangered Epiphytes
Replanting
Education

In Singapore mangroves, the absence of epiphytes is most noticeable as a result of forest clearance. Except for the common epiphytic ferns such as the Bird's nest fern (Asplenium nidus), Dragon's scales (Pyrossia piloselloides) and a few climbers such as species of Dischidia, Finlaysoniana, Hoya and Derris, most epiphytic or climbing species are now extinct.
	Cymbidium finlaysonia now a locally endangered epiphyte. Photo from Pulau Lingga, Indonesia

A major group of epiphytes commonly found in pristine mangroves are the orchids. 220 species of orchids were recorded from Singapore, but only 29 species are still extant, a loss of 86.8%, and this includes the 28 extinct species which are epiphytes or climbers associated with mangrove.

What is mangrove?
Introduction

The Ecosystem
Abiotic
Biotic

Value
Intro
Products
Indirect uses
Potential uses

About Mangroves
in Singapore
History
Mangroves to visit
Conservation

From "A Guide to Mangroves of Singapore", Peter K. L. Ng and N. Sivasothi (editors)
Volume 1: The Ecosystem and Plant Diversity and Volume 2: Animal Diversity
Authors: Kelvin K. P. Lim, Dennis H. Murphy, T. Morgany, N. Sivasothi, Peter K. L. Ng,
B. C. Soong, Hugh T. W. Tan, K. S. Tan & T. K. Tan
BP Guide to Nature Series published by the Singapore Science Centre, sponsored by British Petroleum
© 2001 Raffles Museum of Biodiversity Research, The National University of Singapore & The Singapore Science Centre