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Chek
Jawa’s wet wonderland
(map credited to Teh Tiong Sa and Yap Hui Boon)
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What
is a natural beach? Can one be found in Singapore?
One answer might be ‘It should be a natural
beach (not man-made) surrounded by forests and home to many kinds
of animals and native plants. And the marine life should be rich;
with starfishes, sea horses, crabs and fishes all thriving in a community
amongst seaweed and sea grass beds that hug the sandy shore. A natural
beach is wilderness area full of 'living wonders' waiting to be explored
and discovered'.
To a naturalist, the answer seems obvious. A natural beach is indeed
one full of natural wonders. We do have one wilderness beach that
was discovered recently in Singapore - Chek Jawa. Surprise! Surprise!
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Chek Jawa
- a natural haven comprising of 6 distinct habitats
- coastal forest, mangrove, sandy beach,
sandflats (lagoon), coral rubble and a tiny island (Pulau
Sekudu or Frog Island) - quietly tucked away at the easternmost
corner of Pulau Ubin. Since its discovery, Chek Jawa has charmed
and captivated all that dared ventured out along a two-hour (by foot)
dirt track.
The list of wonders is incredible - stick insects, Flying Dragons,
Oriental Pied Hornbills, Junglefowls, wild boars, otters, Seashore
Nutmeg Trees, Sea Anemones, Seahorses, nudibranches, sea cucumbers,
Cow Fishes, octopuses, stingrays, starfishes,
decorator crabs, shellfishes, sea grasses, seaweed, and sponges, etc.
And the list is ever growing! During low tide, everyone seemed to
see something that others did not, esp. in the sandflat at the lagoon.
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let me point out something that you might not ‘see’. Operating quietly
around the lagoon are two high and protective sandbars that trap and
regulate water during low tide. They are indeed the backbones of the
lagoon. Without them, the ecosystem within cannot survive (see
map). Water exits through northern tidal creeks and southern channels,
only to be slowed down by the marine vegetation, which acts as an
important refuge for animals and a trap for nutrients. It is a miniature
forest below water! |
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| Like blood,
water needs aeration to be life supporting. Water movement creates
that as well as regulating temperature and salinity in the shallow
pools. What cannot be ‘seen’ are also the millions of organisms in
the sand and mud. These are tiny and microscopic, but highly significant
in the chemistry and well-being of the lagoon. And there are the bigger
marine animals such as the seahorse, sea cucumber, tube anemone, sea
pen, colourful sponges, etc which you don't need diving gear to see
– just walk on the sandbars or around 'touch-pools' within the lagoon
during low tide! During your walks, you may even be greeted by a friendly
resident wild-pig. |
| Chek
Jawa is a unique nature heritage richly endowed in all things natural,
located right at our own backyard. A midget in size, only about one
square kilometre in area, but it packs a big punch in terms of biodiversity
and having six natural habitats (communities) within this small area.
Chek Jawa is rare and has an identity and character of its own - it
reveals and transforms itself into a natural WETwonderLAND during
low tide. |
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| When
the tide comes in, it is fully submerged - its secrets and treasures
are again hidden, waiting yet to be discovered another day. Chek Jawa
is an open gym and classroom, and a perfect poet's corner for ‘body,
mind and spirit’ all in one. Chek Jawa - a
place in the heart - yours truly. (See House
no.1) |
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