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Southeast Asian countries to hold workshop on urban biodiversity conservation

Environment officials from member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) will hold a workshop on 14-16 April 2008 in Singapore to share their experiences in promoting urban biodiversity conservation as an important component of sustainable development.

Organized by the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (ACB) and the National Parks Board of Singapore, the workshop will enable participants to share the range of experiences in cross-sectoral considerations in urban biodiversity conservation among the ASEAN Member Countries.

The workshop will be highlighted by field trips and site visits to parks, streetscapes, nurseries and other urban biodiversity sites to provide examples of Singapore’s efforts in urban biodiversity conservation.

According to ACB Executive Director Rodrigo U. Fuentes, the workshop aims to promote urban biodiversity conservation as an important component of sustainable development.

“After the workshop, ACB plans to develop a network of urban biodiversity practitioners in the Southeast Asian region,” Director Fuentes said.

The urban environment is a distinct ecosystem in itself despite the fact that it is man-made. The processes and functions inherent to a natural ecosystem are present, although in a modified form. These include the elements of biodiversity, i.e. plants and animals, represented by species that survive from the former more natural habitat prior to urbanization; new arrivals that find the urban environment conducive; and species deliberately introduced by man.

Urban parks, remaining fragments of natural habitat and specimen trees are valuable in mitigating the heat island effect, providing recreational space, educational opportunities, buffering wind tunnels along roads and between buildings, providing shade for pedestrians, and many other functions.

Botanical gardens and zoos may also enhance the aesthetic and educational functions of the urban landscape. Private gardens in housing areas have a powerful aesthetic impact. However, such introduction raises questions as to the role of these various species in contributing to the sustainable development of the cities. In addition, the role of urban biodiversity in alleviating urban poverty has hardly been explored.

“The many functions and interactions in an urban environment are little understood since most of biodiversity studies are done in natural landscapes. This workshop hopes to provide awareness and understanding of urban biodiversity and its contribution to sustainable development in cities,” Director Fuentes explained