WEAVING BIODIVERSITY INTO CITIES

by

Lena Chan National Biodiversity Centre National Parks Board, Singapore th 4 Annual Sustainable Cities Asia 2013 25 April 2013

OVERVIEW

Demographic trends

Singapores best kept secrets

How do we weave biodiversity into our urban landscape

How do we measure our conservation efforts

Ways forward

Percentage of population in urban areas, 2007,2025 and 2050 2007

Demographic trends

2025

In 2008, more than 50% of the worlds population live in cities By 2025, there will be 29 megacities with population of more than 10 million

By 2050, more than 70% of the human population will reside in cities

2050

Source: United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division: World Population Prospects

Demographic trends

Rich biodiversity in cities An oxymoron ?

 Singapore is a city-state Singapore is a small island

Singapore has significant native biodiversity

Singapores best kept secrets

A list of Singapores native biodiversity

2145 native vascular plant species 364 bird species 98 reptile species 66 freshwater fish species 301 butterfly species 127 dragonfly species more than 400 spider species 35 true mangrove tree species 12 seagrass species 255 hard coral species 50 sea anemone species

Terrestrial Ecosystems

Terrestrial Ecosystems

Coastal and Marine Ecosystems

Coastal and Marine Ecosystems

Terrestrial Plants

Terrestrial Plants

Terrestrial Animals

Terrestrial Animals

Coastal & Marine Plants

Coastal & Marine Animals

Coastal & Marine Animals

Urban ecosystems

Roadside tree planting

[Tree Tunnel effect]

Planting in

built-up areas

diversity of parks
that cater to all

diversity of parks
that cater to all

Park Connector Network

Establish world-class gardens Rejuvenate urban parks and enliven our streetscape Optimise urban spaces for greenery and recreation Enrich biodiversity in our urban environment Enhance competencies of our landscape and horticultural industry Engage and inspire communities to co-create a greener Singapore

Thrust 1

Establish world-class gardens

Thrust 2 Rejuvenate urban parks and enliven our streetscape

Thrust 3 Optimise urban spaces for greenery and recreation

Thrust 3 Optimise urban spaces for greenery and recreation

Thrust 4 Enrich biodiversity in our urban environment

Thrust 4 Enrich biodiversity in our urban environment

Thrust 5 Enhance competencies of our landscape and horticultural industry

Thrust 6 Engage and inspire communities to co-create a greener Singapore

88 Tanglin Halt

Bedok View Secondary School

Universal Studios Singapore

Treelodge @ Punggol

Thrust 6 Engage and inspire communities to co-create a greener Singapore

Singapores National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan Conserving Our Biodiversity

Strategy 1: Safeguard Our Biodiversity Strategy 2: Consider Biodiversity Issues in Policy and Decisionmaking Strategy 3: Improve Knowledge of Our Biodiversity and the Natural Environment Strategy 4: Enhance Education and Public Awareness

Strategy 5: Strengthen Partnerships with All Stakeholders and

Promote International Collaboration

The Singapore Index on Cities Biodiversity (SI) is a CBD-led collaboration with the Global Partnership on Local and Sub-National Action for Biodiversity
www.cbd.int/authorities

Objectives of the SI:

To assist national governments and local authorities in benchmarking their biodiversity conservation efforts in the urban context Evaluate progress in reducing the rate of biodiversity loss in urban ecosystems

Characteristics of the SI:

a self-assessment tool easy to apply scientifically credible objective and fair

City Biodiversity Index (CBI)

THE CITY BIODIVERSITY INDEX (CBI) ALSO KNOWN AS SINGAPORE INDEX ON CITIES BIODIVERSITY

NATIVE BIODIVERSITY IN THE CITY

ECOSYSTEM SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE BIODIVERSITY IN THE CITY

GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT OF BIODIVERSITY IN THE CITY

10 INDICATORS

4 INDICATORS

9 INDICATORS

Indicators

Ind. 1: Ind. 2:

Proportion of Natural Areas in City Connectivity Measures or Ecological Networks to Counter Fragmentation Ind. 3: Native Biodiversity in Built-Up Areas Ind. 4-8: Change in Number of Native Species Ind. 11: Regulation of Quantity of Water Through Permeable Areas Ind. 12: Climate Regulation: Carbon Storage and Cooling Effect of Vegetation Ind. 18-19: Institutional Capacity Ind. 20-21: Participation and Partnership Ind. 22-23: Education and Awareness

Multi-faceted Applications

As a diagnostic, planning and decision-making tool As the biodiversity component of environmental sustainability indices/ frameworks Adaptable

Good practices for sustainable development

WAYS FORWARD

Further strengthen the inter-agency, multi-sectoral and inter-disciplinary solutions-based approach Make Singapore a Biophilic City