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This idea dawned on me when I bypassed the Raffles Museum of Biodiversity Research in the Science faculty. I went in to take a look and realized that it houses a large collection of plant and animal specimens, some dating back to the already extinct specimens from the time when Raffles first stood on Singapore’s shores.
It then occurred to me that while many of us probably knew about the heritage of Singapore, be it her founding history or her diverse cultural heritage but
how many of us are aware of the Natural Heritage of Singapore?
Many animal and plant species that used to dominate early Singapore and described as plentiful in a journal written by Sir Stamford Raffles, have now became rare and some are even extinct like the banded leaf monkey.
On a more optimistic note, Singapore in fact contains about 60% of the coral reef species in Southeast East Asia, despite our small size. However, the rich diversity of the coral reef species is constantly threatened by sedimentation.
Therefore, one of the objectives of this study is to highlight the rich natural heritage of Singapore and the importance of preserving it as our survival is so intricately linked to our natural environment.
Another objective is to promote natural heritage as part of the nation's identity in order to ensure more efforts are being put in to preserve the heritage, just like how much efforts were put in to preserve the cultural sites.
An attitudinal survey is thus required to find out the views of Singaporean youths on whether they will connect natural heritage as part of the nation's identity. A possible sample group could be the NUS science faculty students. This survey would thus allow us to better understand the level awareness of the natural heritage of Singapore and thus enabling us in coming up with more appropriate measures where necessary, to promote awareness of the biodiversity in Singapore which is a heritage that is richer and more diverse (quantitatively)than our cultural heritage.
(edited)
9 comments:
Hey Hannah,
I’m really thrilled that you brought this topic up because I really love nature and animals! As an avid scuba diver, it is saddening to see our incredibly rich and diverse marine life threatened by commercial activity.
Just to clarify, is your research question whether Singaporean youths aware of the natural heritage of Singapore?
Also, how do your propose that the study come up with more appropriate measure to aid youths to better appreciate the environment?
The contents sound exactly like what we learned in SSS1207!
Anyway, I think that this topic is quite relevant to Singapore especially the younger generation so that our natural heritage will be preserved.
What will the research be on? Are we going to do more research about the natural heritage part or how people feel?
yuklum :)
This is a fascinating topic, but like Ben, I wonder what exactly your general research question is. Assuming it is what ben mentions, I wonder of it be refined further.
Thanks, Hannah!
Haha, this topic strike a chord in me, since I have visited the very same Raffles Museum myself. I have never thought much about it since that first visit though. It is certainly good if the natural heritage awareness is more integrated into our everyday life.
Dear Hanah
This is an interesting topic for sure. Singapore being a city state which is highly urbanized, I think we should concentrate on the preservation of its nature more intently. We should not let the industrialization to overdo the natural heritage of Singapore. Its important to educate the youth to balance these aspects in taking Singapore forward..
Hi Hannah! I see that your hypothesis is that "most science students in NUS are unaware of the rich natural heritage of Singapore." And I must admit that I am one of those NUS students. =X haha
Anyway, I get what you are driving at in your post, about Singapore's rich natrual heritage and its preservation. But maybe one of the things your report can do, is to make the research goal / question more pronounced.
If I remember correctly, your group has chosen to proceed with this topic for the project. All the best! =)
Hey Hannah, i am intending to take this modules next semester!
I think not many people knew about the natural heritage of Singapore. There are so few variety of animals over here. It would be good to increase the awareness of Singapore youths towards this history.
Gwen
Hey Hannah,
Interesting topic there.. Is it similar to the module being taught in NUS which also has the same title?
As a Life Science student myself, I am amazed to find rich biodiversity right on our shore! I've always thought that other countries have much wider range and more beautiful species than what we have in Singapore. If not for studying this course, I wouldn't have known much about the natural heritage of Singapore.
By the way, what's your general research question here? It really seems kind of vague. Maybe you can clearly state what's your question about.
Heard that your group is going to settle on your topic! All the best!
SSS1207 that we took together last semester! :D
It is really hard to balance conservation and development given our limited land area. So all the more we should treasure and put in effort to protect our biodiversity as not much land areas are conversed. And who knows these lands may have to be sacrificed for developments in the future.
I feel that there is biasness in your sample group because I believe science students are more aware of the biodiversity in Singapore as compared to students from the other faculties. Maybe you can widen your survey group to the whole of NUS?
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