Published by NParks and written by Dr Chua Ee Kiam, an active NParks volunteer and passionate nature writer-photographer, Rainforest in a City showcases the habitats and unique biodiversity of the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve (BTNR) and the Central Catchment Nature Reserve (CCNR). Featuring 477 images taken by Dr Chua and his team of over a hundred photographers and contributors, the book provides interesting details of more than 200 species of animals and more than 80 species of plants. Also included in the book is a CD that contains some pictures of the flora and fauna featured in the book. The CD also contains educational materials such as worksheets and factsheets that teachers or parents can use with their children.
The book highlights many species that have rarely, if ever, been photographed before. Some of these species are included in the section titled Deception. Many of these are able to camouflage themselves so well that they are not readily seen, and include the Malayan Horned Frog (Megophrys nasuta), the Banded Flower Mantis (Theopropus elegans) and also the unknown orb weaver spider.
In celebration of Singapore’s golden jubilee this year, the book devotes a full chapter – True Blue Singapore – to flora and fauna found at BTNR and CCNR that are native to, and named after Singapore (eg the Singapore Kopsia, Kopsia singapurensis), or are endemic to Singapore (eg the Singapore Freshwater Crab, Johora singaporensis, which is not found anywhere else in the world).
