Site Protection and Management

With habitat loss as one of the key threats to the Singapore freshwater crab, site protection and management plans for current and future habitats is critical to heighten the survival of this species. Future habitats include locations to reintroduce or translocate this species. In addition to the requirement for pristine freshwater habitat, the different characteristics in each stream habitat of this species implies the need to consider and implement site-specific management recommendations appropriate to each site.

Currently among the three localities of the Singapore freshwater crab, only the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve is gazetted as a protected area. While a protected habitat does not eliminate every potential threat, as seen from the disappearance of a population despite it being situated in a protected stream in Bukit Timah Nature Reserve. Therefore, site protection measures for all streams is important in monitoring, maintaining, improving and preserving its habitat.

This aspect of conservation effort greatly assist the stabilising of the population level which can potentially increase the survival of the species.