| Set in a wilderness environs, Kranji Nature Trail is the green corridor linking 2 wetlands, the Kranji Reservoir Park and the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve. This 2 km long rugged trail leads you through a rich tapestry of habitats consisting of grassland, secondary forest, mangroves and sandy beach. It is created with minimal facilities to keep the appeal of wilderness. Along the trail you can enjoy views of Johor, and perhaps spot birds such as bee-eaters and kingfishers perched on the mangrove trees.
 As part of Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve 10th anniversary celebration, Kranji Nature Trail (KNT) was launched on 20 September 2003 by Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister of State for National Development and Trade and Industry.
The English word "mangrove" may be derived from the word mang-gurm, a combined form of the old Malay word manggi-manggi and the Arabic word el gurm or el q'urum.
The mangrove forest is a type of tropical rainforest and the only type that is directly influenced by the seawater.
Mangroves are very hardy. They adapt to a very harsh environment where water and salinity levels fluctuate. As the mangrove environment is low in oxygen, special pores in the trees' exposed root systems allow the trees to "breathe".
Mangrove communities serve many functions. One of them is the "filtering" role. They filter out pollution, stabilise sediments, hold nutrients, and protect the shoreline from pollution. They also provide food, nesting areas and a nursery ground for many animals, including different species of amphibian, fish, reptile, bird and mammal.
Fisheries also depend on mangroves to sustain important species of marine life such as crabs and prawns. Micro-organisms grow on mangrove detritus (dead twigs, branches and leaves) which serve as food for young marine animals.
 Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve and Kranji Reservoir Park is just beside Kranji Nature Trail, see map below.
|
Dec 2009.