SINGAPORE – For years, scientists thought that the loss of nearly all of Singapore’s original forests over the past two centuries had wiped out about two-thirds of its biodiversity.
Following the founding of modern Singapore in , swathes of lush forest and their natural inhabitants were cleared to make way for people, plantations and buildings.
But a recent report has revealed that 37 per cent of the city-state’s flora and fauna species had vanished during this period of deforestation and urbanisation. While it is a significant amount, it is less than previously estimated. In fact, it is nearly half of the estimated extinction rate of 73 per cent in a well-cited paper.
The latest study, which involved 27 experts and junior researchers and used novel mathematical models, was published in the scientific journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences in December
Notably, the decade-long research led by theoretical ecologist Ryan Chisholm from the National University of Singapore (NUS) developed statistical methods that accounted for dark extinctions – the unknown number of plants and animals that died out before they were discovered.
Globally, these silent extinc
Enhancing biodiversity: guidelines and resources
Our bird-safe building guidelines provide practical recommendations for reducing bird collisions and creating a more bird-friendly Singapore.
Objectives of the guidelines
Our guidelines take reference from international standards. Targeted at architects, developers and building managers, they encourage the incorporation of biophilic design principles into developments.
The guidelines are also part of the Building and Construction Authority’s (BCA) Green Mark Certification, which aims to encourage collaboration among professionals in the industry to:
- Develop green building schemes.
- Raise Singapore’s built environment’s sustainability standards.
These guidelines are non-prescriptive and meant to provide information on how biodiversity-related impact assessments are carried out.
Key elements of the guidelines
Refer to the following for key elements in the guidelines.
| Key element | What it covers |
|---|---|
Exterior design elements | Ways to enhance glass visibility with structural details, treated glass and external features. |
Interior design elements |
|