On 17 January 2013, Singapore Land Transport Authority (LTA) has proposed the creation of Cross Island Line (CRL) that will cut through part of the Central Catchment Nature Reserve and Macritchie Reservoir.

This proposal poses a threat to the banded leaf monkeys as a significant part of their habitat (secondary forest as well as small patches of primary forest) will be removed. Forest loss can have effects far beyond the immediate areas in which they occur. For these monkeys fleeing into nearby areas of low secondary forests, which do not possess the right environmental conditions for them to survive, could have catastrophic impacts on the critically endangered population.

Dietary Shifts & Spatial Dynamics

Forest fragmentation is known to cause dietary shifts in banded leaf monkeys and has the potential to indirectly affect their spatial dynamics. The sudden changes to forest structure will alter these picky eaters’ diet to include less preferred plant parts not previously ingested. These changes in diet often have snowballing effects, potentially interacting with other body systems to result in indigestion.

Another potential impact on banded leaf monkeys is the increased competition for space with other forest-adapted species. Moreover, fragments may cause a decrease in cohesion amongst the different groups of leaf monkeys in the forest. These changes to their lifestyle may present additional stresses to the fragment population.

While constructing an underground tunnel may be ideal, there are potential impacts as well. (Image taken from http://lovemacritchie.wordpress.com/where/)