As Reliable Indicator of Water Quality

Thriving only in clean freshwater bodies, Singapore freshwater crabs can serve as a reliable and accurate indicator of good water quality. The presence or absence of these freshwater crabs in their habitat streams provides a “living” alert to park management regarding any potential pollution and change in water quality. This can propel the relevant stakeholders and authorities to employ necessary and immediate actions to investigate the conditions of the stream habitats, preventing any catastrophic extinction of living organisms in the environment.  Therefore, this crab functions as a monitor for a pristine environment, not only for the survival of its own species but also other organisms in the freshwater ecosystem.

Interestingly, one of the goals in the conservation strategy for the Singapore freshwater crab is to be “an ambassador for the management of the country’s freshwater habitats” (Ng et al., 2015).