GEL : Unit 1.1

Overview of People-Nature Relationship

  • Nature provides mutual benefits to both people and the environment.

    • Nature areas lower air temperature, remove pollutants, and provide recreational space.

    • Community activities promote the importance of environmental protection.

Benefits for People

  • Temperature Regulation

    • Vegetation provides shade and reduces direct sunlight, cooling air temperatures.

    • Evapotranspiration cools surrounding air by releasing water vapor.

  • Pollutant Removal

    • Photosynthesis

      • Absorbs carbon dioxide, releases oxygen.

    • Absorbs pollutants:

      • Sulphur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide.

      • Leaves intercept small particles, which are washed to the ground in rain.

    • Wetland plants improve water quality by:

      • Trapping suspended materials.

      • Absorbing excess nutrients in water.

  • Recreational Opportunities

    • Nature areas offer activities such as biking, camping, canoeing, hiking, and rock climbing.

      • Example: Central Catchment Nature Reserve offers a popular hiking trail leading to the TreeTop Walk.

Benefits for Nature

  • Community Involvement

    • Communities can raise awareness for environmental protection.

      • Example: NParks Dragonfly Watch, monitoring dragonfly species health, indicating good water quality.

    • Participants gain appreciation for nature while sharing their experiences.

  • Conservation Efforts

    • Communities organize clean-up programs to remove pollutants and restore habitats.

      • Example: Waterways Watch Society's clean-up program at Marina Reservoir, involving companies and schools.

Definitions

  • Air Temperature: Intensity of heat in the air; reflects average kinetic energy of gases.

  • Pollutant: Substance present in harmful concentrations for humans, plants, and animals.

  • Recreation: Voluntary activity for enjoyment and personal satisfaction.

  • Environmental Protection: Activities aimed at maintaining quality by preventing emissions or reducing pollutants.

Disadvantages of Proximity to Nature Areas

  • Nature can also pose risks to humans and vice versa.

  • Wildlife Risks

    • Urban expansion increases wildlife encounters.

      • Example: Incidents of wildlife attacks, such as wild boars in Punggol.

  • Perception of Development Limitations

    • Environmental protections may create perception of restrictions.

      • Example: Proposal for Cross Island Line altered to protect Central Catchment Nature Reserve. Concerns about inconvenience and property damage.

  • Impact of Human Activities on Nature

    • Soil Damage

      • Hiking can compact soil and prevent rainwater infiltration.

    • Vegetation Damage

      • Trampling by hikers damages plants, affecting growth.

    • Pollution

      • Littering with metal cans and plastics harms wildlife.

    • Wildlife Disturbance

      • Feeding wildlife can increase their numbers beyond nature area capacity, leading to human-wildlife conflicts.

Key Questions for Students

  • What is the relationship between people and nature in their neighborhoods?

  • What are the benefits enjoyed by people and nature?

    • Nature areas lower temperatures, remove pollutants, and provide recreational space.

    • Community activities promote environmental protection.

  • What are the disadvantages for people and nature?

    • Wildlife may harm people, and environmental protection can limit development.

    • Visitors can cause soil erosion, damage vegetation, worsen pollution, and disturb wildlife.

Wildlife and Environmental Impact

  • Restrictions on public access to nature areas, for example, Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, due to severe erosion.

    • Visitor numbers grew from 80,000 in 1992 to 400,000 in 2013, leading to habitat degradation.