What is the Biodiversity Friends’ Forum?

The Biodiversity Friends’ Forum, also known as BFF, is an annual event which tries to get youths passionate about biodiversity to be put on a learning path. Every participant has to attend at least 3 guided walks, and must write a reflection after every guided walk. This gets the youths to think and internalise concepts or memories about biodiversity, as well as helping them build a network of friends who are equally passionate!

Our Guided Walk

SYVB held a guided walk at the Central Catchment Nature Reserve (CCNR), teaching our 7 participants about the CCNR’s land-use history and the forest types found within.

Cool Sightings

On the way in, we found a Nepenthes gracilis near the Ranger Station.

Here lies the log of a Shorea that was cut down after being deemed a fall risk about half a year ago. The log is decomposing at an incredibly slow rate, which showcases the adaptations of the Shorea genus to live in the warm, humid climate of Singapore. The participants touched their first Dipterocarpaceae hardwood today!

In the centre of the log, termite trails are common. They are working hard round-the-clock to decompose the 60m tall tree, but this newly-hatched Banded Lipinia refuses to let them work uninterrupted! The Banded Lipinia is usually seen at a length of 12cm, wandering the wooden handrails of Hindhede Nature Park. So it was a nice find today, and especially when the participants can witness its hunting habits!

This Tiger Beetle was also present, along with a Longhorn Beetle. Biodiversity!

Along the Golf Link, a SYVB member found a Geosesarma Crab! Most species of this genus are native to Singapore.

Right above the Geosesarma sat a Violet Sprite. We hoped the participants had fun today! It was a long and hot hike, but we made it!