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Researchers get new insights from study of insects, loss of mature forests
Caitlin Ng
Channel News Asia
New findings are giving researchers fresh insights into Singapore's biodiversity after documenting thousands of insects and studying the loss of mature forests. The studies are among the latest results from a long-term forest research programme. This is helping to shape future conservation efforts. Some of the work featured in the video are projects led by CNCS researchers.
Published 6 June 2026 -
Fewer large trees in Singapore’s older forests, more than 100,000 insect species here: NParks
Ang Qing
The Straits Times
Beneath the canopy, Singapore’s largest survey of flying insects in its forests has set the benchmark for monitoring the health of Singapore’s insect population. The study was a collaboration between the National University of Singapore’s (NUS) Plant Ecology, Evolution and Biogeography Lab, the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum and NParks. Ecologist Lim Jun Ying, who co-led the survey, said Singapore serves as a microcosm for tackling South-east Asia’s broader conservation challenges, given that nearly all of its original forests have been cleared. “A lot of conservation biologists and ecologists look to Singapore to see if we can recover our forests and biodiversity, which can yield insights that are transferred to other parts of the region,” the NUS assistant professor said. While physically small, flies, wasps and other flying insects form the foundation of healthy forest ecosystems by acting as a food source and by helping to decompose organic matter and support plant reproduction. The diversity found by the study – a doctoral research project by Angelica See under the Plant Ecology, Evolution and Biogeography Lab – paints a picture of how many insect species Singapore’s tropical forest is capable of supporting.
Published 6 June 2026 -
Why saving tigers slashes carbon emissions
Nature Portfolio
Branded advertorial in partnership with Nature Custom Media
~ featuring Lian Pin Koh, Aakash Lamba and Zeng Yiwen
Making the protection of ecosystems and biodiversity a priority is a better way to address climate change than so-called ‘carbon-first’ approaches.
Published 21 August 2025 -
From tissue to trees: How critically endangered plant species are lab-grown in Singapore
Ang Qing
The Straits Times
Assistant Professor Lim Jun Ying mentioned that the tissue-cultured trees will give their species “a fighting chance” through a boost in numbers, although they do not solve the issue of low genetic diversity that plagues rare trees.
Published 11 August 2025 -
Innovations That Matter ~ To Climate-Forward Cities
CNA
Our Director, Professor Lian Pin Koh, introduces the university's sustainability mandate through NUS Sustainable Futures. Our Research Associate, Ariq, is also featured as part of the NUS-Temasek Blue Carbon Project's work in the conservation of seagrasses. This video is part of a series brought to us by the National University of Singapore, celebrating their 120th anniversary.
Published 31 July 2025 -
193ha of land off Changi to be reclaimed for aviation park; area reduced to save seagrass meadow
Ang Qing
The Straits Times
Conservation biologist and doctoral candidate at CNCS, Debby Ng, praised the seagrass meadow off Changi Beach Park as the most vibrant she has studied recently, highlighting the presence of an endangered species. She warned that land reclamation could threaten the area by stirring up sediment that may bury the seagrass and described the meadow as one of the most beautiful natural sights on Singapore’s coast, while expressing hope that it will be preserved for future generations.
Published 3 July 2025 -
Sustainability in action: Deep diving into environmental issues and building the greenest campus in Singapore
NUS News
Mr Steve Teo, doctoral candidate and climate and ecosystem scientist at CNCS, spoke as a panelist on using evidence-based methods for campus greening. He highlighted how strategic urban reforestation on campus can improve health, reduce stress, and foster community interaction, turning the campus into a living lab for addressing climate change.
Published 29 November 2024 -
New tech for researchers to remotely survey rainforests in Southeast Asia
CNA
Cutting-edge rainforest conservation technology is coming to researchers in Southeast Asia. These can remotely access and survey a forest, speeding up biodiversity assessments and gaining more in-depth insights.
Published 22 November 2024 -
Biodiversity ‘calculator’ aims for better outcomes for nature in areas slated for development
Shabana Begum
The Straits Times
Assistant Professor Lim Jun Ying noted that any methods or metrics relying on biodiversity values should be regarded as a convenient “shorthand” based on available data. In practice, species with varying characteristics will react to changes in land use differently and over varying periods of time. It's also crucial to recognize that many elements of biodiversity and ecosystems are difficult to measure accurately.
Published 15 November 2024 -
‘Ents’ in Singapore? New research could uncover right soil conditions for giant trees
Audrey Tan
The Straits Times
CNCS Deputy Director and botanist Adrian Loo emphasized the importance of identifying the fungi that form symbiotic relationships with these trees, as this knowledge could help improve soil conditions. He also noted that planting dipterocarps in urban areas could educate the public about Southeast Asia’s natural heritage, likening such efforts to bringing ancient forests like Bukit Timah into city landscapes, turning them into living arboretums.
Published 30 September 2024 -
New database unveils the role of Asian hornbills as forest seed dispersers
Carolyn Cowan
Mongabay
Ms Liang Hanci, PhD student at CNCS, and Assistant Professor Lim Jun Ying, were interviewed by Mongabay on their published work.
Published 15 May 2024 -
Hornbills, dubbed ‘farmers of the forest’, crucial for plant diversity: NUS study
Leow Wen Xuan
The Straits Times
Assistant Professor Lim Jun Ying and Liang Hanci, PhD student at CNCS, were interviewed on their published work.
Published 8 April 2024 -
Feathered gardeners: How are birds helping Singapore’s forests thrive?
Audrey Tan, Mark Cheong
The Straits Times
In this multimedia special, The Straits Times followed Fung Tze Kwan, PhD student at CNCS, on her field research.
Published 27 March 2024 -
Tracking the vital signs of S’pore’s forests to coax the return of primary forest trees
Audrey Tan
The Straits Times
PhD candidate at CNCS, Fung Tze Kwan, explained that by identifying seedling species, she can investigate how these plants arrived at the site—whether dispersed by birds or mammals—by analyzing their fruit and seed traits using scientific literature and field data. She noted that if bird-dispersed seedlings are found without nearby adult trees of the same species, it suggests the seeds were likely brought in by birds. Wildlife surveys in the same plot also help identify which fruit-eating animals have been visiting the area, further informing her study of forest recovery.
Published 18 March 2024 -
NUS Centre for Nature-based Climate Solutions utilises technology-driven methods to advance carbon estimation in Singapore’s forest ecosystems
Press Release
Eco-Business
Published 18 March 2024 -
How Singapore’s research ecosystem helps carbon services firms unlock the potential of nature-based solutions in Southeast Asia
Economic Development Board (EDB)
Southeast Asia’s natural ecosystems hold vast potential to combat climate change. Singapore is home to two leading agencies – one of them is the Centre for Nature-based Climate Solutions – that are developing science-based methodologies for nature-based solutions projects in the region.
Published 23 February 2024 -
Singapore is fighting rising seas to save S$70 billion in real estate
The Business Times
Singapore’s existing sea walls and revetments limit one possible solution, encouraging the growth of more mangrove habitat, says Daisuke Taira, a researcher at the National University of Singapore’s Centre for Nature-based Climate Solutions.
Published 10 October 2023 -
India’s tiger reserves have helped fight climate change
Neha Jain
Mongabay India
PhD candidate at CNCS, Aakash Lamba, was interviewed by Mongabay for his published work.
Published 20 July 2023 -
Resale HDB flats with views of greenery fetch higher prices
Cheryl Tan
The Straits Times
Mr Steve Teo, PhD student at CNCS, was interviewed on his published work.
Published 9 June 2023 -
Tiger conservation in India saved at least one million tonnes of CO2 from being emitted
Cheryl Tan
The Straits Times
Mr Aakash Lamba, PhD student at CNCS, was interviewed on his published work.
Published 5 June 2023 -
Increased protection of existing nature reserves, expanding parks crucial for biodiversity
Cheryl Tan
The Straits Times
Research Assistant Professor Zeng Yiwen was interviewed on his published work.
Published 4 June 2023 -
How tiger conservation in India may be helping to mitigate climate change
Julia Jacobo
abc NEWS
Mr Aakash Lamba, conservation scientist and PhD student at CNCS, explained that his research shows tiger conservation in India, while not drastically cutting carbon emissions, still provides meaningful environmental and economic benefits. He highlighted that protecting tiger habitats helps reduce climate change impacts and can effectively offset a significant portion of the costs involved in conservation. Aakash also emphasized the important role local communities play in these efforts, benefiting from increased ecotourism and improved livelihoods. Overall, his findings illustrate how biodiversity conservation and climate change mitigation are closely connected and should be addressed together.
Published 25 May 2023 -
Reforestation could boost water security in vulnerable regions in the Asia-Pacific
Audrey Tan
The Straits Times
Further studies are needed to determine the impact of reforestation on the region’s water cycle.
Published 14 November 2022 -
The tool that will help fight climate change is made in Singapore
The Straits Times
In partnership with RolexTo tackle climate change, Prof Koh Lian Pin advocates for nature-based solutions such as using seagrass to absorb carbon.
Published 3 November 2022 -
Stem The Tide
CNA
Stem The Tide is an hour-long documentary that takes viewers on an insightful journey to discover the existential threat of rising seas, and details the work done in Singapore to mitigate and adapt our solutions to secure a resilient future for all.
Published 14 October 2022 -
24 hours with… mangrove specialist Daniel Friess
Liang Lei
Eco-Business
Coastal forests trap huge volumes of greenhouse gases and protect people from flood risks. This International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem, Eco-Business speaks to a researcher on the frontline of conservation work.
Published 26 July 2022 -
Singapore to host international XPrize Rainforest competition in 2023
Audrey Tan
The Straits TimesThe competition aims to identify technologies that can be used to monitor rainforests and their biodiversity in real-time. The panel of nine judges for XPrize Rainforest include Singaporean conservation scientist Koh Lian Pin, who heads the National University of Singapore's Centre for Nature-based Climate Solutions.
Published 28 June 2022 -
Research at Gardens by the Bay may guide development of more urban mangrove wetlands
Ng Keng Gene
The Straits Times
The National University of Singapore's (NUS) Centre for Nature-based Climate Solutions and environmental consultants DHI Water and Environment are working with Gardens by the Bay to conduct the study.
Published 5 June 2022 -
Tracing an ancient voyage of tropical African trees that travelled to Southeast Asia via India
Neha Jain
Mongabay India
Assistant Professor Lim Jun Ying explained that Southeast Asia's diverse and changing landscape created ideal conditions for dipterocarps to evolve, especially through repeated isolation events like the flooding of the Sunda shelf during ice ages. Their dominance is also linked to specialized symbiotic relationships with root fungi, allowing them to thrive on varied soil types across the region.
Published 19 May 2022 -
A Market for Nature-Based Climate Solutions
Claire Oei, NUS CNCS
Moving forward, CNCS is pursing research on the quantification of nature-based solution co-benefits. They are also investigating blue carbon, and in valuing biodiversity in nature-based solutions and urban sustainability.
Published 7 April 2022 -
Benefits of conserving a forest go beyond capturing carbon
Audrey Tan
The Straits TimesResearch has found that by protecting forests in South-east Asia, people living in or around the forests can benefit.
Published 14 February 2022 -
Focus on quality and not just quantity of green spaces in making land use decisions
Ng Keng Gene
The Straits Times
In recent months, there have been calls for the conservation of green plots such as the Clementi and Dover forests, which have been zoned for housing.
Published 22 June 2021 -
Singapore must prepare for rising waters due to heavy rain, climbing sea levels
Audrey Tan
The Straits TimesThe PUB is working to tackle the flooding threat holistically. Heavy rains caused flash floods in Singapore.
Published 21 April 2021 -
The threat of rising sea levels: Climate change
ST Connect Webinar
The Straits Times
Globally, sea-level rise is increasing at a faster pace, threatening Asia's coastal megacities and low-lying island nations such as Singapore. To discuss this urgent issue, this webinar by The Straits Times will look at the latest science and projections of sea-level rise and solutions, including nature-based options, to hold back the seas.
Published 21 April 2021 -
Living with Nature: Biodiversity in Sustainable Cities
NUS CNCS
In this session of the CNCS Virtual Seminar Series, our panel of biodiversity advocates and scientific experts discussed the importance of nature in urban environments and shared their perspectives on biodiversity, ecosystem services and green spaces.
Published 1 April 2021 -
The role of urban forests in climate change
Audrey Tan
The Straits TimesUrban forests can help to reduce a city's carbon footprint by up to 25 per cent, according to an NUS study of 7,500 cities.
Published 29 March 2021 -
Wildlife disease ecologist vaccinates dogs, educates communities in Nepal
Cheryl Tan
The Straits Times
To mark the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, ST spoke to three women who have excelled in jobs dominated by men and who hope to inspire others to do the same.
Published 15 February 2021 -
The Singaporean using nature to boost the economy — while fighting climate change
Tee Hun Ching
The Straits Times
After 16 years abroad, prominent conservation scientist Koh Lian Pin has returned to tap new areas for growth, to help Singapore emerge from the Covid-19 crisis stronger, and greener.
Published 29 November 2020 -
Reforestation may not be a cheap climate fix; nature-based solution must consider trade-offs
Audrey Tan
The Straits Times
Reforestation has been touted as a relatively quick and easy fix for dealing with climate change, with plans afoot both in Singapore and around the world to harness the cooling and oxygen-giving power of the humble tree.
Published 17 August 2020 -
How Asia’s megacities can benefit from mangroves and other natural climate solutions
Neo Chai Chin
Eco-Business
The loss of mangroves and other coastal habitats has been linked to more frequent and severe flooding in adjacent villages and cities. What can urban dwellers, local governments and businesses do to support nature-based solutions?
Published 3 April 2020 -
Tapping nature in fight against climate change
Audrey Tan
The Straits Times
New research centre at NUS will be helmed by Singaporean conservation scientist.
Published 21 March 2020
