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Habitatnews 2003-09: Saturday, 19th April 2003
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Nature-related news for the busy Singaporean.
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Fossil fern found:
the discovery of Dipteris conjugata on Pulau Sarimbun,
Western Johor Straits, 4 March 2003
http://habitatnews.nus.edu.sg/news/dipterisconjugata/
'It grows also on the sea cliffs at Labrador in Singapore Island
(formerly also at Kranji)'. So wrote the late Prof R.E. Holttum in hisFlora of Malaya, Volume II, Ferns - first published in 1954.
To a keen student of indigenous flora, his words clung tenaciously onto my
memory, especially his references to former localities of rare ferns. A fern
so rare presently, that only a few privileged researchers have so far been
blessed to see the isolated individuals growing in what are now off-limit
military areas of Pulau Tekong and Tengeh Reservoir.
Fate has since dealt a fatal blow on the large Dipteris colony on the cliffs
of Labrador. In his book 'Common Ferns and Fern-allies of Singapore',
published in 1984, Prof Wee Yeow Chin lamented that 'Today, its presence at
Labrador has yet to be established, as the original large colony of the
plants on the cliff fronting the beach is there no more. No doubt, it may
still exist somewhere within the area, struggling desperately to survive.'
A few black and white photos are what that is left for present students to
appreciate the fern's past glory in this most celebrated site. One such
picture (circa 1960s) can be found in the book 'Rhythm of the Sea, The Life
and Times of Labrador Beach', published in 1994. Readers are left in no
doubt about the fern's historical significance on Labrador.
Prof Leo W.H. Tan (et al.) had succinctly revealed at the beginning of his
introduction that 'The original 4 hectares of cliff-side vegetation at
Labrador was set aside for conservation in order to protect the habitat of
the primitive fern, Dipteris conjugata.' He was referring to the Nature
Reserve Ordinance enacted in 1951, under which the fern was originally
protected. Since then, the conservation status of Labrador had undergone a
long roller-coaster ride. But recent re-designation of Labrador as a Nature
Reserve in November 2001 gave hope and a place of permanence for the
survival of the few remaining Dipteris there.
Where else is there left for the common folks to see Dipteris then? How
about 'Kranji' a locality that had been mentioned by Prof Holttum in his
taxonomic treatment of the ferns?
Staff of Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve knew all about the significance of
Dipteris conjugata. Prof Holttum's remark is never far from our mental
landscape. Though from time to time we have been able to discover rare
native plants within our reserve, Dipteris has remained illusive by far -
i.e. not until we chanced upon Pulau Sarimbun (west of Sungei Buloh) while
surveying shorebirds in the Western Johore Straits on 4 March 2003. It was a
day we shall never forget for the rest of our lives!
James, Supaidi, Ramakrishnan, Soon Lian and myself were simply overwhelmed
by the sight of the Dipteris. They were everywhere! We could see them all
around the island, draping extensively over the steep slopes. The Dipteris
colony is simply huge.
Had it not been for the reserve's recent acquisition of a 15-metre motorboat
'Mangrovian' and thus our newfound mobility at sea, we would have remained
in the dark even now. Sungei Buloh became a park in 1993, so we felt
incredulous that it is only now that we finally solved Holttum's 'Krani
puzzle'. Until now, the ferns were so near and yet so far!
But it is precisely this nature of 'nearness' that brings home to us the
importance of adjacent ecosystems that mutually benefit each other as seed
areas as well as sites for trans-migration of marine animals and avifauna.
Paradoxically, it takes the island of Pulau Sarimbun to remind us that
Sungei Buloh does not exist as 'an island' by itself. The river of life that
links us to the mangroves at Mandai and Lim Chu Kang, as well as the
Horseshoe Reef near Pulau Sarimbun helps to ensure the continuous exchange
of genetic material from one community of plants and animals to another.
Given that we have no control over nature areas being removed for
development immediately across our narrow straits, it is up to us to
mitigate adverse ecological changes by retaining as much of our own adjacent
ecosystems to the left and right of Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve. Otherwise,
the otters and other marine animals and plants might well follow the way of
the fossil fern.
One thing for sure, our discovery has definitely re-opened a brand new site
for the ecology studies of Dipteris conjugata as well as other floristic
works. Perhaps, one day someone might even find the inspiration to study the
genetic link between Dipteris here and those thriving atop Gunong Pulai,
which on a clear day, looms large over Pulau Sarimbun.
Yes, why not. Dear Prof Holttum will be smiling from the heavens even now!
Joseph Lai
18 April 2003
Good Friday
Photos at website:http://habitatnews.nus.edu.sg/news/dipterisconjugata/
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