First fungi survey in Southern Islands in over a century yields species new to S’pore

SINGAPORE – The rounded fungus the colour of a dried-up leaf is easy to miss on the earthen trail, especially at first glance.

But it did not go unnoticed by keen-eyed researchers embarking on the first fungi survey of Singapore’s Southern Islands in over a century, who later identified it as a specimen of the horse dung fungus.

It turned out to be a new record not just for the isles fringing the mainland’s southern coast, but also for the whole of Singapore.

The last of such surveys was conducted in the 1910s on Pulau Blakang Mati, now known as Sentosa.

It was one of the key findings of the Southern Islands Biodiversity Survey, released by the National Parks Board (NParks) on May 31, the first day of the two-day Festival of Biodiversity held at the National Library Building.

The event – an annual celebration of the community’s efforts to conserve Singapore’s natural heritage – was attended by newly minted National Development Minister Chee Hong Tat. NParks is an agency under his ministry.

Speaking at the festival, Mr Chee said the survey was the largest of its kind on the Southern Islands, and offers valuable insights into local species and ecosystems. This could help guide conservation and management efforts for both land and sea habitats.

“The findings are remarkable... (and) highlight the rich and diverse biodiversity that depends on these habitats,” he said.

The terrestrial and marine habitats of 17 islands and one patch reef – Cyrene Reef – were surveyed during the study.

The horse dung fungus – so called for its resemblance to horse droppings – was spotted on Lazarus Island and Pulau Tekukor during the survey led by NParks from January 2020 to March 2022.

A total of 44 native animal species that were previously unrecorded in the Southern Islands were documented. These include the white-throated needletail, a fast-flying bird, and a mollusc called the money cowrie, which was sighted at Cyrene Reef near Tuas.

A locally critically endangered climber plant (Paramignya scandens var. ridleyi) was also spotted for the first time on Lazarus Island during the survey in 2020.

In total, the survey compiled more than 9,000 records for the flora database, which includes plants, macroalgae and fungi, and over 20,000 fauna records. It also recorded 18 critically endangered and 38 endangered animal species in the Southern Islands.

These include insects like the banded swallowtail butterfly, reptiles such as the Gimlett’s reed snake and hawksbill turtle, birds like the great-billed heron and ruddy kingfisher, and marine life such as the knobbly sea star and

Neptune’s cup sponge

.

Value of research

NParks said the findings showed that even though the islands are small, they are rich in biodiversity. For example, they were found to support 172 native bird species, which constitute 40 per cent of Singapore’s avian biodiversity.

The release of the survey findings, which comes ahead of World Ocean Day celebrated worldwide on June 8, also shed light on the biodiversity of the marine realm.

Researchers found that the islands are home to 26 out of 35 species of true mangroves, and nine out of 12 local seagrass species.

Two under-studied islands – Pulau Berkas and Pulau Salu – were also found during the survey to host various seagrass species. These observations are the first records of seagrass in these areas.

Tape seagrass and spoon seagrass were found on both islands. Needle seagrass was recorded on Pulau Berkas and sickle seagrass on Pulau Salu.

Gaining a better understanding of seagrass distribution around the area can guide policies on their protection, management and restoration, said NParks, adding that this ensures the long-term conservation of these important ecosystems.

Apart from guiding future research and monitoring changes in the natural environment, the survey findings also aid in identifying conservation priorities, NParks said. For example, information collected during the survey contributed to plans for Singapore’s second marine park. 

Then National Development Minister Desmond Lee had in May 2024 announced plans to designate the southern part of Lazarus Island and the reef off Kusu Island

as the Republic’s second marine park

. The first is the Sisters’ Islands Marine Park.

Speaking at the festival, Mr Chee also announced the establishment of the Singapore Species Specialist Group under the ambit of the International Union for Conservation of Nature – one of the world’s largest environmental networks.

The group comprises more than 100 experts and specialists from academia, nature community and government. Mr Chee said the group will regularly review the conservation status of local species.

Speaking to The Straits Times, Dr Karenne Tun, group director of the National Biodiversity Centre at NParks, said insights gleaned during such surveys will also support biodiversity research and conservation efforts across the broader South-east Asian region.

She said when researchers rediscovered the Neptune’s cup sponge – a species once thought extinct – in Singapore and Cambodia, scientists began to map where it might still exist and what habitats it prefers.

The marine creature – a major food source for the critically endangered hawksbill turtle – was rediscovered in 2011 in Singapore’s waters.

Key areas for turtle conservation, including nesting grounds in nearby countries like Malaysia and Indonesia, can be identified since researchers know where these sponges thrive.

“So all this information provides the basis for making local conservation plans and decisions... It also helps other countries understand their own environment and come up with their own conservation plans,” Dr Tun said.

Field work and data collection on the Southern Islands were done by more than 40 researchers, students and academics from NParks, the National University of Singapore, and Nanyang Technological University, as well as other volunteers.

The findings will be released in two phases. The first comprising 16 chapters is available in an e-publication accessible on NParks’ website at

go.gov.sg/sibs

The second phase, covering the remaining three chapters on terrestrial plants, other insects and the conclusion, will be released by the end of 2025.

Ms Lisa Lim, a primary school science teacher, has been volunteering her time conducting intertidal surveys for more than a decade. She told ST that being part of the Southern Islands Biodiversity Survey gave volunteers rare access to offshore islands usually closed to the public.

She said many may assume that there is little marine life in these places because they are inaccessible. She said she hopes the findings will raise public awareness to stave off land reclamation in these areas, as these hidden ecosystems are thriving and worth protecting.

“It’s as rich, if not richer. Because there is less disturbance and less human impact, which is the worst thing,” she added.