Beaches, Spits and Dunes
Much of the coastline of the island consists of sandy beaches. The soil is loose and sandy and doesn 't retain much water. The plants have deep feeding tap roots which have high osmotic pressure. Plants species are Ipomoes pescaprae, Spinifex littoreus and adapted to store water and minimize transpiration.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Salt Marshes
Salt Marshes
Salt marshes in Sri lanka occur mainly where the dry season is prolonged as in the north, northwest, northeast and southeast. The main salt marsh plant are Salicornia and Arthrocnemum. They stems are modified in to cladodes and are leafless. The major functions of this ecosystem are supply of nutrients to near shore coastal waters, provision of bird habitats.
Salt marshes in Sri lanka occur mainly where the dry season is prolonged as in the north, northwest, northeast and southeast. The main salt marsh plant are Salicornia and Arthrocnemum. They stems are modified in to cladodes and are leafless. The major functions of this ecosystem are supply of nutrients to near shore coastal waters, provision of bird habitats.
Mangrooves
Mangroves
Mangrooves occur near the mouths of rivers and on the shores of lagoons and estuaries and are seems in the south ,southwest and northeast coasts Koggala,Kalametiya and Kokilai lagoons and Trincomalee and Jaffna. The totalarea under mangroves in sri lanka is estimated to be between 6000 and 13000 ha. 14 mangrove plant species and 12 associated have been recorded.
Mangrooves occur near the mouths of rivers and on the shores of lagoons and estuaries and are seems in the south ,southwest and northeast coasts Koggala,Kalametiya and Kokilai lagoons and Trincomalee and Jaffna. The totalarea under mangroves in sri lanka is estimated to be between 6000 and 13000 ha. 14 mangrove plant species and 12 associated have been recorded.
Avicennia officinalias
Aegiceras corniculata
Acanthus ilicifolius
Acrostichum aureum
Bruguiera gymnorhiza
Ceriops decandra
Sonneratia caseolaris
Rhizophora apiculata
Xylocarpus granatum.Exoecaria agallocha
Talawa
Talawa
Thease arises as a result of forest and chena cultivation in the wet zone. These grasslands are more evident in the Kalutara, Galle, and Matara distric. The grass in the talawa include Chrysopogon,Cynodon dactylon, Ischaemum sp, Themeda tremula and Cymbopogon nardus. Herbs and low shrubs are also found, indicating that succession has commenced. THese species are Osbeckia aspers (heenbowitiya),Hedyotis fruticosa(Weraniya) Ochlandra stridula ( bata).
Thease arises as a result of forest and chena cultivation in the wet zone. These grasslands are more evident in the Kalutara, Galle, and Matara distric. The grass in the talawa include Chrysopogon,Cynodon dactylon, Ischaemum sp, Themeda tremula and Cymbopogon nardus. Herbs and low shrubs are also found, indicating that succession has commenced. THese species are Osbeckia aspers (heenbowitiya),Hedyotis fruticosa(Weraniya) Ochlandra stridula ( bata).
Villus
Villus
These are wet grassland found in the flood plains of the rivers in the dry zone. When the river flood the saucer like depressions colled villus becomes inundates with overflow during the rain season. The most extensive villus are found in the Mahaweli flood plains around Polonnaruwa, Tamankaduwa, Maduru oya and Manampitiya. Fimbristylis, Cyperus and Typha are also common. This ecosystem has a diversity of large grazing and browsing animals the deer, buffalo and elephant.
These are wet grassland found in the flood plains of the rivers in the dry zone. When the river flood the saucer like depressions colled villus becomes inundates with overflow during the rain season. The most extensive villus are found in the Mahaweli flood plains around Polonnaruwa, Tamankaduwa, Maduru oya and Manampitiya. Fimbristylis, Cyperus and Typha are also common. This ecosystem has a diversity of large grazing and browsing animals the deer, buffalo and elephant.
Wet Patana
Wet Patana
They occure elevation around 2000 m. Grasses are tufted coarse and wiry.They occur at Horton plains, Elk plains, Moon plains, Sita Eliya, Bogawanthalawa and Bopatalawa..Plant species are
They occure elevation around 2000 m. Grasses are tufted coarse and wiry.They occur at Horton plains, Elk plains, Moon plains, Sita Eliya, Bogawanthalawa and Bopatalawa..Plant species are
.
Chrysopogun zeylanicum
Arundinella sp.
Schaemum sp.
Rhododendron arbreum
A munber of flowering plants are also found aere.Endemic bird ( 14 sp) endemic shrimp, is unique to
Dry Patanas
Dry Patanas
these are extensive grasslands totaling 75000 ha. (Best known are of the Uva basin)The characterestic grass is
Cymbopogon nardus (mana). Other associated grasses are Arundinella, Pollinia and Ischaemum.
these are extensive grasslands totaling 75000 ha. (Best known are of the Uva basin)The characterestic grass is
Cymbopogon nardus (mana). Other associated grasses are Arundinella, Pollinia and Ischaemum.
Savannas
Savannas
The savannas consist of grasslands with scattered trees. In Sri lanka they occur as stable community in the Haldumulla, Medagama, Bibile and Ekiriyankumbura areas.
The area has an elevation ranging from 100 - 500 m. Grass is mainly Imperata cylindrical (iluk). and is highly inflammable.
The tree sp include Terminalia chebula (aralu) T. bellirica (bulu), Phyllanthus emblica ( nelli)Pterocarpus marsupium(gammalu).
The savannas consist of grasslands with scattered trees. In Sri lanka they occur as stable community in the Haldumulla, Medagama, Bibile and Ekiriyankumbura areas.
The area has an elevation ranging from 100 - 500 m. Grass is mainly Imperata cylindrical (iluk). and is highly inflammable.
The tree sp include Terminalia chebula (aralu) T. bellirica (bulu), Phyllanthus emblica ( nelli)Pterocarpus marsupium(gammalu).
Riverine Forests.
Riverine Forests.
These are forest associated with rivers and their flood plains. an interesting marsh forest is the Waturana forest, (12 ha) located in Kalu ganga basin. Two endemic plants are present Mesua stylosa and Stemonoporus moonii. These marsh forest are seem wet zone.
Mahaweli ganga associated riverine forest dry zone is very rich in biodiversity and highly productive. all dry zone rivers form an important habitat for wild life especially large grazing animals like elephants, deer and buffalo.
These are forest associated with rivers and their flood plains. an interesting marsh forest is the Waturana forest, (12 ha) located in Kalu ganga basin. Two endemic plants are present Mesua stylosa and Stemonoporus moonii. These marsh forest are seem wet zone.
Mahaweli ganga associated riverine forest dry zone is very rich in biodiversity and highly productive. all dry zone rivers form an important habitat for wild life especially large grazing animals like elephants, deer and buffalo.
The Tropical Upper Montane Forest.
The Tropical Upper Montane Forest.
Theses forest types are seen in peak Wilderness, Piduruthalagala, Bogawanthalawa and Horton Plains. The Rainfall is over 4000mm annually. Elevation up to 1800m - 2000m or more. This area is subjected to strong winds.
Main tree species are Syzygium, Gordonia, Michelia, Elaeocarpus, Calophyllum walkeri, Actinodaphne and Litsea
The trunks of trees are covered with lichen and mosses. Many fern sp (Alsophila Psychotria) are also dominates the undergrowth.
Among fauna found in the montane forests are the Mammals ( purple faced leaf monkey, toque monkey, wild boar, barking deer, giant squirrel, slender loris and sambhur),birds, Amphibians, fishes.
The Tropical Lower Montane Forest
The Tropical Lower Montane Forest
On the southwest of he island with increase of elevation ( 900m). The annual rainfall is between 2500 - 4000 mm.
The plant species are Doona congestiflora, Calophyllum tomentosum, Syzygium s. Kurrimia zeylanica, Neolistea and Cryptocarya.
These forest have been cleared for tea planting. Some of the remaining forests of this type are see in the peal wilderness and Knuckles.
On the southwest of he island with increase of elevation ( 900m). The annual rainfall is between 2500 - 4000 mm.
The plant species are Doona congestiflora, Calophyllum tomentosum, Syzygium s. Kurrimia zeylanica, Neolistea and Cryptocarya.
These forest have been cleared for tea planting. Some of the remaining forests of this type are see in the peal wilderness and Knuckles.
Tropical Thorn Forest.
Tropical Thorn Forest.
This ecosystem is found in the arid zone that is northwest end southeast of the island. Temperature s are very high over 34 o C, and prolong drought period from May to September, the rainfall is below1250 mm annually. The vegetation is thorny scrub. The main plant species are Acacia planifrons, Dichrostachys cinera, Salvadora persica, and Eupphobia antiquorum.
This ecosystem is found in the arid zone that is northwest end southeast of the island. Temperature s are very high over 34 o C, and prolong drought period from May to September, the rainfall is below1250 mm annually. The vegetation is thorny scrub. The main plant species are Acacia planifrons, Dichrostachys cinera, Salvadora persica, and Eupphobia antiquorum.
Dry Mixed Evergreen Forest
Dry Mixed Evergreen Forest.
This ecosystem can be see in the dry zone land area of Sri Lanka witch is about three- fifths(3/5) of the country. The characteristic feature of the dry zone is the presence of Dry period (May to August).Normally receive less than 150 mm of rain fall.( Annual Rain fall is 1250 - 1900 mm) Temperature go above 30o C. The plant species include Dryperes sepiaria (wira), Chloroxylon swietenia (burutha), Manilkara hexandra ( Palu), Berrya cordifolia(halmilla), Alseodaphne semecarpifolia (wewarana), Diospyros ebenum(kaluwaara), Vitex altissima (milla).
This ecosystem is an impotent habitat for large mammals like the elephant and faunal groups like carnivores, ungulates, and primates shows high species diversity.
This ecosystem can be see in the dry zone land area of Sri Lanka witch is about three- fifths(3/5) of the country. The characteristic feature of the dry zone is the presence of Dry period (May to August).Normally receive less than 150 mm of rain fall.( Annual Rain fall is 1250 - 1900 mm) Temperature go above 30o C. The plant species include Dryperes sepiaria (wira), Chloroxylon swietenia (burutha), Manilkara hexandra ( Palu), Berrya cordifolia(halmilla), Alseodaphne semecarpifolia (wewarana), Diospyros ebenum(kaluwaara), Vitex altissima (milla).
This ecosystem is an impotent habitat for large mammals like the elephant and faunal groups like carnivores, ungulates, and primates shows high species diversity.
Rain forest
This ecosystem is located in the southwest part of the Sri Lanka. Normally called it as evergreen forest. The elevation extends from sea level to almost 1200 m and uniformly high temperature is the characteristic feature. (Mean Temperature 28o degrees) Mean annual rain fall is 2500 mm - 5000 mm or more during May to August. Relative humidity varies 75% to over 90%. These forest cover 100,000 ha or 8% land area of the wet zone.
The best known tropical rain forest is the Sinharaja forest (covers 11,300 ha) in Sri Lanka reserve, a world Heritage site. Other large reserves within this region are Kanneliya- Dediyagala - Nakiadeniya (11.900 ha) , Bambarabotuwa (5600 ha), Morapitiya - Runakanda (6900 ha) and Gilimale Eratna ( 5000 ha).
The forest shows marked stratification.
Dominance trees are
Dipoterocarpus zeylanicus ( hora)
Dipoterocarpus hispidus ( bu hora)
D. glandulosus ( gorana)
Shorea spp
Doon spp.
The endemic fauna too show high concentrations in the forest. Endemic Fishes, amphibian’s bird and mammals.
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