CSC Project led by: Assoc. Prof. Hugh T.W. Tan (Department of Biological Sciences)
A 100% native plants demonstration garden was established in the open area between Blk S1, S2 and S3 on 13 March 2007 with inputs by staff of the Department of Biological Sciences and the administrative and logistical support of the OED.
Currently under the administration of the OED, this garden landscape is an experiment for the proof-of-concept that landscapes can be developed using entirely native species of Singapore. Additionally, many of the plants were propagated from stock plants from the nature reserves, nature areas and other wild areas of Singapore.
Further, the garden also demonstrates the informal, massed planting style of landscaping which the National Parks Board is implementing country-wide. This project’s success can act as a model for implementation in all NUS Campuses.
These innovations have many benefits, including lower maintenance costs, improving public health by discouraging the roosting and nesting of pest bird species, less administration, environmental and ecological services, education, alumni participation, conservation, research as well as enhancing the corporate image of NUS as an innovator in environmental research and landscape design.
Benefits Beyond Those of Formal Landscaping Designs Utilizing Non-Native Species
1.
Lower maintenance costs
a.
Many plant species in the landscape design means less likelihood of mass disease outbreaks or insect attacks, unlike more formal styles which have very few species, so less spraying of pesticides or fungicides.
2.
Improved public health
a.
Massed and mixed plantings, especially avoiding tree species which pest birds favour will eliminate or significantly reduce roosting and nesting by Singapore’s major pest birds such as the house crow and Javan myna, thereby eliminating problems associated with their droppings, dander and feathers which may bring disease or allergies in humans.
b.
Should avian flu strike Singapore, then eliminating pest birds from the immediate environment would greatly reduce the chance of exposure to the virus.
3.
Environmental and ecological services
a.
Besides ameliorating the microclimate around it like any landscape design, massed plantings of many native plant species simulates the tropical rain forest, the natural habitat of Singapore, so this will attract native animals that feed and shelter in native plants.
b
.
The utilization of many woody plants will sequester carbon in their tissues for many decades, so removing some of a harmful greenhouse gas from the atmosphere.
4.
Conservation
a.
If plantings are entirely native plant species propagated from Singapore plants of the nature reserves, nature areas or other wild areas, especially species threatened with extinction, then they can act as extensions of Singapore’s nature reserves.
b.
Native plants may have unique genes found only in Singapore; unique genes may have great value for future uses, e.g., pharmaceuticals, industrial products, etc.
