Geography in Everyday LIfe Topic 1

GEOG TOPIC 1 1.1 PEOPLE & NATURE IN NEIGHBOURHOODS Key Points: ● Local communities & nature = dependent on each other ● Nature → benefits people: recreation, space, ↓ temp ● People → benefits nature: env. protection, community activities ● Nature → disadvantages people: wildlife harm, env. protection limits development ● People → disadvantages nature: soil erosion, damaged vegetation What is the relationship between people and nature? 1. Local communities & nearby nature = dependent on each other ● Nature → air & water for survival ● Nature → recreation/leisure spaces → bond w/ family/friends → physical + mental well-being ● Bees pollinate crops → continuous food supply ● Eg: NParks Therapeutic Gardens — ↓ stress, ↑ well-being ● Eg: NParks Green Wave campaign (May, biodiversity day for schools) Concepts: Community = group w/ sense of belonging to place. Nature area = untouched/barely affected by humans How do people & nature bring benefits to each other? 1. Nature → people: ↓ temp / removes pollutants / recreation space ↓ Air temp Remove pollutants Recreation space Vegetation → evapotranspiration + shade Leaves intercept particles → washed down by rain Outdoor activity opportunities Wetland plants trap materials, absorb nutrients → ↑ water quality Absorbs CO ₂ , releases O ₂ Direct contact w/ nature → ↓ illness severity

2. People → nature: community protection efforts ● Eg: NParks Dragonfly Watch — train volunteers to ID species ● Eg: Waterways Watch Society — clean-up @ Marina Reservoir What are the disadvantages people & nature bring to each other? 1. People → nature: soil erosion, damaged vegetation, pollution, disturbed wildlife ● Trampling → soil compaction → ↑ runoff → ↓ infiltration → erosion ● Littering → wildlife entangled/eats litter ● Eg: 2014 Bukit Timah Nature Reserve — severe erosion → closed 2 yrs 2. Nature → people: wildlife harm; env. protection limits development ● Eg: Cross Island MRT Line — built under (not through) Central Catchment Nature Reserve → protects rainforest BUT residents fear home damage Reasons for ↑ human-wildlife encounters Urban expansion ↑ interest in outdoor recreation State greening efforts Habitat shrinks → wildlife venture out for food/shelter More time in nature areas SG deliberately brings nature back into city ● Feeding wildlife illegal → fine up to $5,000 ● Wildlife confused/fearful in urban spaces → ↑ attacks when provoked/venture into unfamiliar spaces 1.2 SENSE OF PLACE IN NEIGHBOURHOODS Key Points: ● Sense of place = importance/meanings/memories assoc. w/