The Diversity and Distribution of Seagrass in Singapore

What seagrass species can we find in Singapore? Where can they be found? These and other important seagrass issues have never been rigorously documented. Until now!

TeamSeagrass monitoring the seagrasses at Chek Jawa
just in front of the mangroves there.

Siti, Rachel and Wei Ling have outlined these in their latest paper published in Nature in Singapore of the Raffles Museum of Biodiversity Research. The work of TeamSeagrass volunteers in monitoring seagrasses in Singapore contributed to this paper too.


The authors of the paper explain: "Seagrasses were once common on Singapore's shores but, unlike their coral reef and mangrove counterparts, their diversity and extent have never been rigorously documented. This study quantifies the species richness and distribution of seagrass in Singapore waters through herbarium specimens and on-site surveys."

"We also use remote sensing to map in detail the three largest seagrass meadows in Singapore: Chek Jawa Wetlands, Pulau Semakau and Cyrene Reef. These maps represent essential baseline data for future conservation management."

Read their paper for all the details: Siti M. Yaakub, R. L. F. Lim, W. L. Lim & P. A. Todd, 2013. The diversity and distribution of seagrass in Singapore. Nature in Singapore, 6: 105–111. [PDF, 1.13 MB]

You CAN make a difference for Singapore's seagrass meadows!
Join TeamSeagrass to monitor their health. Here's more FAQs and how to join TeamSeagrass.