The Singapore Botanic Gardens (SBG) is one of the oldest tropical botanic gardens and one of only three botanic gardens in the world inscribed as an UNESCO World Heritage Site. Over its history, it has played a major role in nature conservation in Singapore and influenced its environmental and social history. Among its earliest contributions to nature conservation in Singapore is a comprehensive forest survey of Singapore and Malaya 150 years ago that led to designation of forest reserves which are the precursors to the current Nature Reserves in Singapore.
The Forest and Tree Research programme of the Gardens builds on the Gardens’ pioneering work in forest ecology, taxonomy, and applied conservation research. The programme has three interconnected focal areas: tropical forest ecology research, urban tree research, and education and outreach, to advance scientific understanding while directly informing forest and urban tree management in Singapore and the region.
The broad aims are to advance forest and urban tree research in Singapore through development of scientific capacity, translate scientific knowledge to science-based forest and urban tree management practices, and foster greater awareness and support of forest conservation through education and outreach.
Research is centred on (1) tropical forest ecology, covering biodiversity and biophysical and biogeochemical studies, including modelling forest dynamics to inform management and conservation, and (2) urban tree management covering tree biomechanics, tree ecophysiology, and applications of remote sensing methods tree growth, health, and risk monitoring. All themes are underpinned by considerations of climate and land-use change impacts.
Given this breadth, the programme emphasises strategic integration, synthesis across disciplines, and effective mobilisation of specialised expertise, rather than narrow topical focus. Success depends on strong scientific leadership, clear prioritisation, and the ability to translate complex research into actionable guidance.
The Director of the Forest and Tree Research provides scientific leadership for this programme, with primary responsibility for setting research direction, ensuring coherence across projects, and translating science into practice and policy. The Director oversees a substantial and diverse portfolio of research projects at varying stages of development and implementation, delivered by in-house staff and external collaborators.
The role requires balancing scientific ambition and effective portfolio management, fostering a strong research culture, and enabling researchers to excel within their areas of expertise. Close collaboration with other divisions within the Singapore Botanic Gardens and the National Parks Board is essential, building on the Gardens' long-standing legacy of science-based management and policy engagement.
The Forest and Tree Research programme of the Gardens builds on the Gardens’ pioneering work in forest ecology, taxonomy, and applied conservation research. The programme has three interconnected focal areas: tropical forest ecology research, urban tree research, and education and outreach, to advance scientific understanding while directly informing forest and urban tree management in Singapore and the region.
The broad aims are to advance forest and urban tree research in Singapore through development of scientific capacity, translate scientific knowledge to science-based forest and urban tree management practices, and foster greater awareness and support of forest conservation through education and outreach.
Research is centred on (1) tropical forest ecology, covering biodiversity and biophysical and biogeochemical studies, including modelling forest dynamics to inform management and conservation, and (2) urban tree management covering tree biomechanics, tree ecophysiology, and applications of remote sensing methods tree growth, health, and risk monitoring. All themes are underpinned by considerations of climate and land-use change impacts.
Given this breadth, the programme emphasises strategic integration, synthesis across disciplines, and effective mobilisation of specialised expertise, rather than narrow topical focus. Success depends on strong scientific leadership, clear prioritisation, and the ability to translate complex research into actionable guidance.
The Director of the Forest and Tree Research provides scientific leadership for this programme, with primary responsibility for setting research direction, ensuring coherence across projects, and translating science into practice and policy. The Director oversees a substantial and diverse portfolio of research projects at varying stages of development and implementation, delivered by in-house staff and external collaborators.
The role requires balancing scientific ambition and effective portfolio management, fostering a strong research culture, and enabling researchers to excel within their areas of expertise. Close collaboration with other divisions within the Singapore Botanic Gardens and the National Parks Board is essential, building on the Gardens' long-standing legacy of science-based management and policy engagement.