Did you know Singapore belongs to the largest bird migration highway in the world?
The East Asian-Australasian Flyway consists of 23 countries, including Singapore, stretching over 3 continents from Australia and New Zealand at the southern-most end all the way up to Russia and Alaska in the north. Over half of the world’s population – about 4.5 billion people – live in these countries.
Large populations of people in the Flyway mean shorebirds face lots of challenges on the way. Many of their wetland habitats have been reclaimed for development. They also face pressures from hunting, agriculture and aquaculture, and climate change.
The wetlands in the Migratory shorebirds are a living example of how we are all connected through a vast ecological network. Looking after our wetlands here in Singapore is of global importance.
Looking after our wetlands is not just for the birds. Wetland ecosystem services support all life and are essential for our health and well being too.