Exploring Biodiverse Pasir Ris Mangrove Forest and Swamps
Most who head to Pasir Ris will invariably think of Wild Wild Wet, a water theme park, and Downtown East or E-Hub. Very close to Wild Wild Wet and Downtown East and hiding in the eastern corner of Singapore is the mangrove forest and swamps, home to mudskippers, the amphibious fish that can live both in water and land (you really have to look hard as they blend very well with the environment and has the colour of brownish mud) and otters!
Pasir Ris mangroves forest are part of the larger Pasir Ris Park. Other marine creatures that you may spot are crabs and they are several different species of crabs including the brownish tree-climbing resident crab called Eppy. Its full name is Episesarma singaporense or Singapore Vinegar Crab, a native crab. As you walk along the boardwalks you may see mountains of crabs' 'condominiums'. Another crab which is commonly found living among mangroves is the small porcelain fiddler crab. Male fiddler crab has one claw larger than the other that one might think it has only one claw. The enlarged claw is used to court females and fend off male rivals.
Do you know that if the male fiddler crab loses his large claw a new claw will form but it will look small just like the other claw? It will look similar to female crab with same size small claws. Go towards the beach shore and may spot fiddler crabs near mangroves trees especially during low tide. Fiddler crabs are common at Pulau Ubin's Chek Jawa too. You can find small-clawed Asian otters in Pasir Ris. Well, actually you can find otters just about anywhere in Singapore now including at Changi Beach, Pulau Ubin and Sentosa Island. Or swimming around in someone's pool or pond.
And just like at Sungei Buloh Wetland, you will find bird watchers, nature lovers or photographers especially during weekends with their camouflaged long zoom lens camera. They even wear army style camouflaged tees and wide brim hats to blend with nature. Pasir Ris indeed is a gem for animal, nature lovers and bird watchers. A great place for wildlife photography.
Mangroves are an important part of the ecosystem, supplying nutrients to the marine environment and acting as a natural buffer against erosion by waves. The closely packed and tangled root systems of the mangrove trees also serve as sediment traps, preventing the silting of marine habitats. In addition, many mangrove plants are known to be able to absorb pollutants such as heavy metal and playing a major role in the fight against climate change due to their high sequestration rates for carbon dioxide. Across the globe, large tracts of mangroves are continually being cleared. Most commercially important fishes spend part of their life cycles in the mangrove thickets that act as a nursery. Many others are dependent on food chains that can be traced back to this part of the ecosystem.
This mangrove rainforest has scenic boardwalks that go in different directions so that you can enjoy the tranquil forest while listening to the male cicadas serenading or the birds chirping. Only male cicadas can make the droning sound to attract the females. Do you know if you can hear the cicadas singing it spells good weather? The different directions will lead you to a hut along Sungei Tampines (Tampines River), the bird watching tower or the kitchen and spice garden. After the bird watching tower is the garden maze and the long sandy beach.
While enjoying the stroll, other than crabs, snails and mudskippers, you may be able to spot kingfishers, either the white-collared type or the larger storkbill, yellow-vented bulbuls, asian koel (with its 'ko-el, ko-el' sound and distinctive red iris), the flameback woodpeckers, oriental-pied hornbills with its distinctive sound, oriental magpie robins, black-naped Oriole with its brilliant yellow feathers, herons and egrets. Between April and September, you may be able to spot blue-throated bee eater. It is identified by its chocolate-coloured head and blue throat. Bee-eater may resemble the white-throated or white-breasted kingfisher, howver there are subtle differences in features. Also bee-eater is a migratory bird but kingfisher is not.
Oriental pied hornbills and flameback woodpeckers are actually quite common in Pasir Ris Park and in Singapore generally. The hornbills have made a great comeback and can be found almost everywhere now. Even you if cannot see them you can easily 'spot' these birds by the sound they made. The boardwalk is within the much wider Pasir Ris Park which include the Park Connector Network or PCN that are connected to other parks such as Tampines Eco Park and Bedok Reservoir.
And Pasir Ris beach is just a short walk away from this mangroves forest. You can rent a bike to ride along the beaches and the scenic parks from the bike stations dotting along the beach. However, you cannot cycle on the boardwalks but can push your bike along as you stroll. There are a couple of restaurants or bistro within the park or along the beach if you fancy a bite or a drink with view.
Herons and egrets look similar, and one can easily get confused between the two. Both have long legs and necks. Grey herons are the second tallest bird here. They are generally grey with white feathers on its head, neck and underparts and they have black crest. Their bills and legs are yellow. All egrets have white plumage with black bill, black legs and yellow feet. Egrets and herons are also abundant at Sungei Buloh Wetlands. From the bird tower you may spot egret nests. And when they fly these large birds look majestic to the delight of the photographers who like to shoot flying animals.
Snakes have been spotted among the mangroves. The types of snakes include Dog-faced Water Snake, the most commonly spotted snake, Gerard's Water Snake, Crab-eating Water Snake, Cantor's Water Snake and Shore Pit Viper. Shore Pit Viper is a venomous snake and is usually seen coiled up in trees and bushes. So, the next time you walk along the boardwalks look among the mangroves and you may be able to spot a snake or two. The mangroves forest is like a living museum with storyboards dotting the boardwalks about the species and creatures living within the forest. Very educational indeed.
Owls have been spotted in the park. Otters are common sighting as mentioned above, happily swimming in the river filled with fishes. So are monitor lizards and squirrels. Otters look a bit like a seal. But seals do not live in hot and humid environment and certainly not in swamps. Jungle fowls or free-range chickens and wild boars also make Pasir Ris mangroves park their permanent home. Which are great as humans and wildlife co-exist and balance the ecosystem. Do you know that there are fireflies in the mangroves park? Of course, you have to visit the park in the evening, in the dark, to see it. The number of fireflies you will see depends on luck, but it is there.
Though not in a scale of Amazon rainforest in South America with its famous river spanning at least four countries, there is some similarity to it. Maybe it's the shared tropical hot and humid weather, and the lush swampy greenery. It is certainly exciting to see a kingfisher, herons, woodpeckers, owls, otters and the occasional snakes right here in urban Singapore.
Pasir Ris mangroves park is easily accessible by public transport, just ten minutes' walk from Pasir Ris MRT Station, the terminal station of the green east-west line. The main entrance is just across the street where a big 24-hr McDonalds outlet is. There is a carpark 'B' as you enter. The entrance is in-between some construction works on the wayside where the entrance is, so it can be missed.
As you enter the mangroves you are first greeted by a group of papery bark gelam trees. Crush the fallen brown leaves on the ground and a familiar nice smell will be emitted. The oil extract from gelam trees (melaleuca cajaput), tea or eucalyptus trees as they called it in Australia, is the main ingredient of the popular Tiger Balm and Axe oil ointment. These leaves have medicinal use. Kampong Glam got its name from these trees. The glam trees are thriving well in Pasir Ris. So are the Pandanus and Barringtonia Asiatica.
And before reaching the gelam trees you will see some pretty nature theme sculptures of animals, seeds and plants on the grass lawn, some created by our local sculptor Han Sai Por. There is also a huge sculpture of a green frog lying next to a pond, called Eco Pond by Aileen Mu. So, if you see the sculptures, the gelam trees and the pond called Eco Pond, you know you are at the right place.
The pond as shown here is next to the many sculptures on the grass. Look closely in the pond and you will see turtles and water monitor lizards swimming around. Monitor lizards are common sighting in parks all over Singapore. Other interesting things you may find within the greater park before you reach the beach is the well-manicured garden maze. Enter the garden maze and have fun figuring the way out. There is also a kitchen garden which has a good array of spices, herbs, vegetables and tropical fruit trees and plants such as chili, lime, papaya and pineapples.
You cannot pluck the herbs and vegetables in the Kitchen Garden; they are for you to admire and learn. There is also an allotment garden at Pasir Ris which are rented out to individuals at minimal rate. Gardening has grown in popularity in Singapore. Perhaps in line with the 2030 vision where we are at least 30% self-sufficient in local produce. Allotment Gardens can also be found at Jurong Lake Gardens, East Coast Park, Hort Park, Bedok Reservoir and Punggol.
During season, usually around July till September, you may spot tiger orchid, the largest orchid in the world with its distinct bright spotty orangey colours, just like tiger spots, hence the name. The massive Tiger orchids grow well in our hot and humid climate. You may spot Tiger Orchids not only on the ground supported by husks or charcoals but also on mature Rain trees as being ephipytic orchids need host for support. So apart from the National Orchid Garden, you can find Tiger Orchid at many nature areas such as right here at Pasir Ris, at Gardens by the Bay, at MacRitchie Reservoir, Bedok Reservoir and at Pulau Ubin.
The majestic rain trees fill up Pasir Ris Park. Large and tall trees, that can grow up to 30 metres (98 ft.) high, the Rain tree is in fact the most common tree that can be found along the roadsides in Singapore, providing plenty of shade with its big umbrella-shaped crown. When it blooms, the crown of the rain tree is covered in clusters of pink- white flowers like small, upturned brushes.
The leaves of these iconic Rain trees have a habit of folding up at dusk or before an impending storm, giving rise to its name as Rain Tree. The Malays called it Pukul Lima or 5 o'clock tree because the leaves of the Rain Tree folded up at 5pm, before sunset or evening. Prior to 1982, 5pm was 5:30pm. So, Singapore has about 12 hours of daylight each day all year round.
By the way, Pasir Ris also has a big public swimming pool complete with kids slide, located in-between the bus interchange and McDonalds. McDonalds is across the street to the start of the mangroves park. The pool only cost about a dollar to two per person. A hawker centre is just next to the pool. There is a town park just next to this hawker centre. There is a popular prawn and fishing pond in the town park where you can pay to fish in the big pond. It is an equally nice big park to stroll.
The town park is not to be confused with the larger Pasir Ris Park that include the mangroves park which are divided by Pasir Ris Drive 3 street. Which just to show Pasir Ris is indeed quite big and packed with nature and fun stuffs to do, especially great if you live in the east or Pasir Ris.
Pasir Ris comes from a Malay word. Pasir literally means sand. There is a long sandy beach at Pasir Ris. Pasir Ris means a narrow beach, maybe implying to the narrow mangroves' river, Sungei Tampines. Pasir Ris beach certainly is wide and long rivalled that of East Coast Park or Changi Beach. And just like Changi Beach, East Coast Park and Pulau Ubin, you can also camp for free along the beach at the designated camping sites at area 1 or 3. There are barbeque pits too along the beach for that added fun of cooking under the stars.
Indeed, lots of things to do and see at Pasir Ris Mangroves Park and beach. From wandering among the mangroves forest, admiring wildlife, bird watching, trying the garden maze, admiring the kitchen garden, biking and of course just lazing around the long sandy beach.
A video of Pasir Ris Mangroves Park
Do you know that if the male fiddler crab loses his large claw a new claw will form but it will look small just like the other claw? It will look similar to female crab with same size small claws. Go towards the beach shore and may spot fiddler crabs near mangroves trees especially during low tide. Fiddler crabs are common at Pulau Ubin's Chek Jawa too. You can find small-clawed Asian otters in Pasir Ris. Well, actually you can find otters just about anywhere in Singapore now including at Changi Beach, Pulau Ubin and Sentosa Island. Or swimming around in someone's pool or pond.
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| Mangroves swamps |
Mangroves are an important part of the ecosystem, supplying nutrients to the marine environment and acting as a natural buffer against erosion by waves. The closely packed and tangled root systems of the mangrove trees also serve as sediment traps, preventing the silting of marine habitats. In addition, many mangrove plants are known to be able to absorb pollutants such as heavy metal and playing a major role in the fight against climate change due to their high sequestration rates for carbon dioxide. Across the globe, large tracts of mangroves are continually being cleared. Most commercially important fishes spend part of their life cycles in the mangrove thickets that act as a nursery. Many others are dependent on food chains that can be traced back to this part of the ecosystem.
The mangroves swamp at Pasir Ris are linked with Sungei Tampines and Sungei Api-Api and the tide brought in by the rivers helps to bring nutrients into the mangrove.The
rivers take their names from the Api Api (Avicennia) family of mangroves and
the Tempinis (Streblus elongatus) tree, both of which were previously
widespread in this area.So, we are fortunate that we still have expanses of healthy mangroves in Pasir Ris.Sited
along Sungei Api Api and Sungei Tampines were kampung, including Kampong Pasir Ris and Kampong Tampines.'Kampung' is a Malay word for 'village'. Kampung residents tapped the rich mangroves for timber a fish. There were attap or nipah palm for thatching roof and basket weaving, and the attap chee fruit for the local dessert ice kacang. You can nipah palm in Pulau Ubin and Sungei Buloh.Nipah palm (Nypa fruiticans) grows well in the mangroves.
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| Mangroves Boardwalk |
While strolling along the boardwalk lookout for the distinctive distinctive Api-Api Putih (Avicennia alba), one of the more
common species found in local mangroves. This
plant with pencil-like roots has the ability to excrete
excess salt from its leaves through special salt
glands found on the leaf surface. At high tide, the breathing roots of mangrove
plants are fully immersed in seawater, while at
low tide, they are exposed to the sun. The soil is
fine-grained and rich in organic matter but lacks
oxygen below the surface. These roots help the
mangrove plants breathe in the oxygen-poor soil.
While enjoying the stroll, other than crabs, snails and mudskippers, you may be able to spot kingfishers, either the white-collared type or the larger storkbill, yellow-vented bulbuls, asian koel (with its 'ko-el, ko-el' sound and distinctive red iris), the flameback woodpeckers, oriental-pied hornbills with its distinctive sound, oriental magpie robins, black-naped Oriole with its brilliant yellow feathers, herons and egrets. Between April and September, you may be able to spot blue-throated bee eater. It is identified by its chocolate-coloured head and blue throat. Bee-eater may resemble the white-throated or white-breasted kingfisher, howver there are subtle differences in features. Also bee-eater is a migratory bird but kingfisher is not.
 |
| Pasir Ris beach |
And Pasir Ris beach is just a short walk away from this mangroves forest. You can rent a bike to ride along the beaches and the scenic parks from the bike stations dotting along the beach. However, you cannot cycle on the boardwalks but can push your bike along as you stroll. There are a couple of restaurants or bistro within the park or along the beach if you fancy a bite or a drink with view.
Herons and egrets look similar, and one can easily get confused between the two. Both have long legs and necks. Grey herons are the second tallest bird here. They are generally grey with white feathers on its head, neck and underparts and they have black crest. Their bills and legs are yellow. All egrets have white plumage with black bill, black legs and yellow feet. Egrets and herons are also abundant at Sungei Buloh Wetlands. From the bird tower you may spot egret nests. And when they fly these large birds look majestic to the delight of the photographers who like to shoot flying animals.
 |
| Nature photographers with camouflage tees |
Owls have been spotted in the park. Otters are common sighting as mentioned above, happily swimming in the river filled with fishes. So are monitor lizards and squirrels. Otters look a bit like a seal. But seals do not live in hot and humid environment and certainly not in swamps. Jungle fowls or free-range chickens and wild boars also make Pasir Ris mangroves park their permanent home. Which are great as humans and wildlife co-exist and balance the ecosystem. Do you know that there are fireflies in the mangroves park? Of course, you have to visit the park in the evening, in the dark, to see it. The number of fireflies you will see depends on luck, but it is there.
 |
| Gelam (melaleuca cajaputi) trees |
Pasir Ris mangroves park is easily accessible by public transport, just ten minutes' walk from Pasir Ris MRT Station, the terminal station of the green east-west line. The main entrance is just across the street where a big 24-hr McDonalds outlet is. There is a carpark 'B' as you enter. The entrance is in-between some construction works on the wayside where the entrance is, so it can be missed.
As you enter the mangroves you are first greeted by a group of papery bark gelam trees. Crush the fallen brown leaves on the ground and a familiar nice smell will be emitted. The oil extract from gelam trees (melaleuca cajaput), tea or eucalyptus trees as they called it in Australia, is the main ingredient of the popular Tiger Balm and Axe oil ointment. These leaves have medicinal use. Kampong Glam got its name from these trees. The glam trees are thriving well in Pasir Ris. So are the Pandanus and Barringtonia Asiatica.
 |
| Eco Pond at Pasir Ris Park |
The pond as shown here is next to the many sculptures on the grass. Look closely in the pond and you will see turtles and water monitor lizards swimming around. Monitor lizards are common sighting in parks all over Singapore. Other interesting things you may find within the greater park before you reach the beach is the well-manicured garden maze. Enter the garden maze and have fun figuring the way out. There is also a kitchen garden which has a good array of spices, herbs, vegetables and tropical fruit trees and plants such as chili, lime, papaya and pineapples.
 |
| Wild Tiger Orchid |
During season, usually around July till September, you may spot tiger orchid, the largest orchid in the world with its distinct bright spotty orangey colours, just like tiger spots, hence the name. The massive Tiger orchids grow well in our hot and humid climate. You may spot Tiger Orchids not only on the ground supported by husks or charcoals but also on mature Rain trees as being ephipytic orchids need host for support. So apart from the National Orchid Garden, you can find Tiger Orchid at many nature areas such as right here at Pasir Ris, at Gardens by the Bay, at MacRitchie Reservoir, Bedok Reservoir and at Pulau Ubin.
 |
| Rain trees with umbrella-shaped crown |
The leaves of these iconic Rain trees have a habit of folding up at dusk or before an impending storm, giving rise to its name as Rain Tree. The Malays called it Pukul Lima or 5 o'clock tree because the leaves of the Rain Tree folded up at 5pm, before sunset or evening. Prior to 1982, 5pm was 5:30pm. So, Singapore has about 12 hours of daylight each day all year round.
By the way, Pasir Ris also has a big public swimming pool complete with kids slide, located in-between the bus interchange and McDonalds. McDonalds is across the street to the start of the mangroves park. The pool only cost about a dollar to two per person. A hawker centre is just next to the pool. There is a town park just next to this hawker centre. There is a popular prawn and fishing pond in the town park where you can pay to fish in the big pond. It is an equally nice big park to stroll.
 |
| Look-out bird watching tower. |
Pasir Ris comes from a Malay word. Pasir literally means sand. There is a long sandy beach at Pasir Ris. Pasir Ris means a narrow beach, maybe implying to the narrow mangroves' river, Sungei Tampines. Pasir Ris beach certainly is wide and long rivalled that of East Coast Park or Changi Beach. And just like Changi Beach, East Coast Park and Pulau Ubin, you can also camp for free along the beach at the designated camping sites at area 1 or 3. There are barbeque pits too along the beach for that added fun of cooking under the stars.
Indeed, lots of things to do and see at Pasir Ris Mangroves Park and beach. From wandering among the mangroves forest, admiring wildlife, bird watching, trying the garden maze, admiring the kitchen garden, biking and of course just lazing around the long sandy beach.
A video of Pasir Ris Mangroves Park
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