Halophila beccarii @ SungeiMandaiBesar 18Dec2010

Came across a patch of the critically endangered Halophila beccarii seagrass at the Sungei Mandai Besar mudflats. It is sometimes seen at certain parts of Chek Jawa and can also be found at Sungei Buloh. Preferring a more mangrove environment, it now suffers a 'critically endangered' status on the Red List of Threatened Plants of Singapore primarily because Singapore's mangrove habitats have shrunk considerably since the mid-1900s.

the leaves have a mottled pattern with dark and light patches. Close examination of some of the leaves showed a bit of red colouration as well!

note the narrow leaves arranged rosette-like

some patches were really thick with more noticeable larger leaves.

many tiny crabs had made their homes amongst the seagrass 'forest' each occupying tiny holes tunnelled between the thick seagrass mats. Can you spot the two crabs?

 a carpet-like field of H. beccarii... almost as far as the eye could see. 100% coverage!

a patch with Johore Bahru on the left and Woodlands on the right...

the exposed mudflat was almost totally covered with H.beccarii

We did hear the sound of the late afternoon train to Malaysia coming from behind the mangrove trees. This must have been very close to the railway line.
Again, the exposed mudflat was almost totally covered with H.beccarii.

some underwater pics of H.beccarii in a blue tub recycled from the mangrove

It looks like the Sungei Mandai Besar estuary mudflats are one of the last major strongholds of Halophila beccarii in Singapore.

Where is Sungei Mandai Besar? Click here for more info.

Want to find out more about this rare seagrass? Find out at WildSingapore's Wildfacts pages!
Visit also Singapore's own TeamSeagrass blogsite! and find out about seagrass and why it is important to our marine ecosystem!
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