“If they are growing in this environment, it means that this habitat is potentially suitable for them,” Mr Ng said. “Then we will plan to translocate more crabs into this habitat with the hope that eventually we can establish a population here.”
PROTECTING SINGAPORE’S WILDLIFE
This species of freshwater crabs feed mostly on leaf litter, helping to break them down for other wildlife to consume.
“Animals play an important part in the ecosystem because they, for example, function as pollinators or (in the case of these crabs) break down leaf litter and help with the nutrient recycling process,” said Mr Ryan Lee, group director of the NParks’ National Biodiversity Centre.
“All in all, it will result in a positive ecosystem service that will provide cleaner air, cooler temperatures and make Singapore more livable.”