Knowledge is a very precious asset. This is also true in the context of conservation. It is definitely necessary for us to understand how our natural environment is affected by our activities so that we can then strike a balance between our activities and conservation. Researches and studies of our ecology and biodiversity must be supported and well documented so as to increase our knowledge about them.

Under this strategy, the actions required are:

1. To encourage and facilitate research.

It especially applies to research about our ecosystem and conservation of selected species that are part of our biodiversity. Information about the interaction between biological factors and environmental factors, information about impact of climate change and studies that valuates our biodiversity are all important and wanted.

(source: IRRI Photos)

2. To monitor the health of our ecosystem and the species residing in them.

By monitoring them, we are able to gain new knowledge of our biodiversity and the natural environment. Not only so, if we constantly monitor them, we will be able to detect any changes in them in the shortest possible time and then react accordingly.

(source: CIFOR)

3. To develop and maintain a central information portal on biodiversity to facilitate more informed decision-making

To do this NParks has set up the National Biodiversity Centre (NBC) on 22 May 2006. NBC serves as a central information portal to contain all information about the biodiversity in Singapore. A single meta-database was used to compiled all the information that was contributed by the various organizations and individuals.

(source: NParks)

4. Maintain a list of species with their conservation status

(source: NParks)

The list that NParks created was called the Red Data Book. The Red Data Book was first published in 1994 to act as a essential source of reference for both the governmental and the non-governmental organisations. It is also an important resource for the education and research sector when they want to better appreciate and understand Singapore’s biodiversity. The new edition of this book was enhanced to make it more appealing to the general public and was a combined effort of the NParks, National University of Singapore (NUS), Nature Society Singapore, while funded by Shell.

5. Compile case studies on and assess best practices that have been implemented

This was also accomplished by the NBC. (refer to number 3)

Note: this page largely cited the 2009 National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) by NParks.