Conservation recommendations for Nee Soon 
207 
of stream orders) alongside higher intensity investigative monitoring to investigate 
potential issues (e.g. within sites proximal to the spillway) and to improve system 
understanding (see recommendations below for future research). 
Monitoring of fish should include as many sampling methods as possible to 
maximise coverage spatial (microhabitat) and taxonomic coverage, enabling tracking 
of populations of as many species as possible. Utilisation of additional trapping 
methods, such as differential trapping with bait, i.e. traps with different mouth sizes 
and/or mesh size, to exclude predators or unwanted organisms. This will allow for 
more complete/comprehensive sampling. 
Constant monitoring of Nee Soon freshwater swamp forest fish and decapod 
fauna for introduction, establishment, and impacts of alien species within the catchment 
(especially along the edges of Nee Soon freshwater swamp forest). 
Establishment of a viable, long-term monitoring programme should also be 
relevant for more broad-scale surveying of Singapore’s environment within other 
water catchments. Training has been provided for agency staff on faunal sampling and 
identification methods as tools for monitoring. In June 2015, a workshop was held on 
the identification of fish, decapod crustaceans and macroinvertebrates from the Nee 
Soon freshwater swamp forest. Several theory and practical sessions for aquatic faunal 
identification purposes were facilitated by both NUS (TMSI, DBS, and LKCNHM) 
and NParks staff. Sampling methodology for faunal collection was also introduced 
in the introductory field resource, “A Guide to the Freshwater Fauna of Nee Soon 
Swamp Forest” which was reviewed during the workshop and revised in response to 
participants’ feedback (Ho et al., 2016). 
ii) Future research 
Aquatic food web and trophic structure studies of Nee Soon freshwater swamp forest 
would be beneficial, to (i) serve as a basis for understanding of and further research 
on community and ecosystem interactions/ecology; and (ii) inform conservation and 
management actions for Nee Soon freshwater swamp forest. 
Investigating the effects of release of water from Upper Seletar Reservoir is 
required on various aspects (e.g. establishment, survival, interactions, ecology, 
distribution) of introduced fish species as well as native fish species found at the edges 
and lower reaches of Nee Soon freshwater swamp forest (to as far upstream as the 
released water may affect). 
Sedimentation and, potentially, sediment transport into and within the forest 
streams should be investigated to examine the sources of sediments, effects of erosion 
on stream fauna as well as trialing potential mitigation techniques such as “soft 
engineering” of stream banks through the planting of appropriate plant species. 
Minimum and maximum acceptable water levels need to be identified through 
refinement and application of faunal response models, and integrated with the other 
physical and ecological aspects of the swamp forest. Without agreed minima and 
maxima, it will be difficult to identify triggers that initiate conservation actions and 
responses. 
