Tropical wet low land rain forests

Found below 900 m elevation

in the South Western quarter of Ex:
the country Sinharaja
Nakiyadeniya
Kanneliya
Climate:
• The mean annual
temperature is about 28 °C

• mean annual rainfalls

varies between 2000 mm-
5000 mm in different
locations without any dry
period.

• The humidity is very high.

Vegetation:
These forests are characterized
by a tall canopy, sub canopy and
a sparse shrub layer consisting
mostly of the saplings of canopy
trees. Sometimes an emergent
layer is also seen above the
canopy.
• The vegetation is filled with
a network of woody lianas
that reach to the canopy
layer.

• A diverse population of
epiphytic lichens, mosses,
liverworts ferns, orchids are
found while many fungi
inhabit decaying woods and
soil. High endemism of
floral and faunal diversity
can be seen in these
forests
Faunal diversity
Some tree species found in wet lowland rain forests are;
• S: Hora, T: Ennai (Dipterocarpus zeylanicus)
• S: Naa, T: Nagai (Mesua ferrea)
• S: Hal, T:Kungiliyam pinai (Vateria copallifera)

These forests are disturbed due to expansion of tea cultivation,

agriculture, industrial and residential development.
 Tropical montane forests
• They occur at elevation beyond 1500 m above mean sea
level.
• The average temperature is about 16 °C
• rainfall is about 2000 mm without any dry period.
• The humidity is high as lowland rain forests.
 Vegetation:
• These forests are characterized
by a short canopy of about 13
m, with a dense shrub layer.

• There are trees with umbrella-

shaped rounded crowns and
twisted branches having
leathery small leaves to
accommodate the strong winds
that prevail in the montane
zone.

• High density of epiphytes cover

the branches and stems of
trees.
Some plants found in these forests are;
S: Keena, T: Pongu (Callophyllum walkeri)
S: Walkurudu, T: Kaatu karuwa (Cinnamomum ovalifolium)
S: Gal weralu, E: wild olive (Elaeocarpus montanus)

Some animals that inhabit montane rainforests of Sri Lanka are Sri Lanka
Yellow eared bulbul, Sri Lanka highland Shrew, Sambar.
Montane forests are distributed in central hills including
Knuckles range, Piduruthalagala, Hakgala.

Montane forests were greatly affected due to tea cultivation

 Tropical dry mixed evergreen forests/Dry
monsoon forests

• These forests have mean annual

temperature of about 29°C and
rainfall around 1000 mm- 1500
mm., most of which falls during
the northeast monsoon periods.

• There is a marked dry spell from

May to August.

• Above forests are distributed in

areas below 300m altitude.
These forests are characterized by having sparse canopy, a sub
canopy and a well-developed shrub/herb layer.

Some of the canopy trees are deciduous during the dry spell of
the year.
Some plant species naturally found in these forests are
• S: Weera T: Virai (Drypetes sepiaraia)
• S: Palu, T: Paalai (Manilkara hexandra)
• S: Kaluwara, T: Karun-kaali (Diospyros ebenum)

These forests harbor the largest

elephant populations in Asia.
The mammal fauna includes
leopard, bear, deer.

Most of the forests are protected as National parks such as

Yala National park, Wilpattu National Park, Wasgamuwa
National Park, Maduru-Oya national park, Ritigala Strict Nature
reserve and many sanctuaries and forest reserves.
These forests are disturbed by „chena‟ cultivation, human
settlements, extraction of timber, poaching etc.
 Tropical thorn scrubs
These are called “scrubs” than
“forests” as large trees are sparse
and the vegetation is mainly consists
of thorny shrubs.

They are found in arid lowlands.

The mean annual temperature is

around 31°C and rainfall is below
1000 mm with a longer dry period.

They are distributed near

Hambantota, Yala, Mannar, Puttalam
areas
The following plant species are commonly found ;
• S: Gini- andara , T:Vindattai (Dichrostachys cineria)
• S: Ranawara, T: Avaram poo (Cassia auriculata)
• S: Heeressa, T: Pirandai (Cissus quadrangularis )

Due to the dry conditions many fauna species cannot be

found. However Deer, Leopard, elephants can be seen in
these areas.

Disturbed due to various development pressures.

 Savanna
• Savannas have a thick grass cover
and few scattered trees.
• These are common on hill slopes
of the dry or intermediate zone.
• The thin layer of soil on hill slopes
cannot support the growth of trees
• The grass cover of savannas helps
to bind soil particles and reduce
erosion of soil.

• Periodic fires are common to this

ecosystem as the fried grass cover
easily catch fire in dry period of the
year.
• They have trees with fire resistant
species.
Some plant species found in Savanna are trees are;
• S: Aralu, T: Kadukkay (Terminalia chebula)
• S: Nelli, T: Topu- nelli (Phyllanthus emblica)
• S: bulu , T: Adhan- koddai, tanti (Terminalia bellirica)

have grass species such as

• S: Mana, E: Citronella grass , Vasanai pullu (T) (Cymbopogon nardus)
• S: Iluk E: Cogon grass T:Tharpai pullu (Imperata cylindrica)

Savannas are seen in Bibile, Monaragala, Mahiyanganaya,

Wellawaya areas.
These are disturbed by periodic fires set by villagers for various
reasons.
 Patana
There are two types of „Patana‟ found in Sri Lanka;
Wet pathana grassland and Dry pathana grassland based on
the rainfall pattern and soil of the site.

Dry pathana grasslands are found in

Wet Pathana‟ grass lands are found in altitudes between 500 m to 1600 m.
areas above 1500 m from the sea level They receive a rainfall about 1400
with mean annual rainfall of over mm to 2000 mm with a definite dry
2000mm. period. Temperature ranges from
Temperature ranges from 5°C to 18°C 18°C to 24° C.
“Dry Patana” is common on hill
“Wet Patana” are found only in Horton tops in in Hantana, Gampola,
plains. Welimada, and Haputale .
 Wet pathana
Mist, fog and frost are common in
these areas and do not experience
any dry period.

The grasses do not reach more

than one meter height and are
called tussock grasses which
Include Chrysopogon nodulibarbis
and Arundinella villosa.

The animals include a large

Sambar and Wild- boare
populations and few leopards.
 Dry pathana

The vegetation is made up of grasses

that grow up to 1-2 m height such as

• Pangiri mana (Cymbopogon

nardus) and
• Themeda/ (Pini bara tana)/
Themeda tremula.
 Wetlands
Wetlands are simply habitats with permanent or temporary
accumulation of water with associated plant and animals.

According to Ramsar Convention, wetlands are defined as

areas of marsh, fen, peatland or water, whether natural or
artificial, permanent or temporary with water that is static or
flowing, fresh, brackish or salt, including areas of marine water
the depth of which at low tide not exceed six metres.
The wetlands of Sri Lanka,
which fit into the Ramsar
definition, can be divided into
three broad categories:

• Inland fresh water wetlands (e.g. rivers, stream, marshes,

swamp forests and villus)

• Coastal wetlands (e.g. lagoons, estuaries, mangroves, sea

grass beds, salt marshes and coral reefs)

• Man-made wetlands (e.g. tanks, reservoirs, rice fields and

salterns)
 Rivers and streams
• Sri Lanka has an extensive
network of rivers, which drains a
total of 103 distinct natural river
basins.
• The river basins originating in the
wet highlands are perennial,
while many of those in dry zone
are seasonal.
• There is hardly any vegetation to
be found in running water.
 Marshes and swamp forests
Inland freshwater marshlands are low lying areas which receive
water through surface runoff , ground water seepage or flood
water from rivers.

These contain peat (partially decomposed organic matter), and

water logged sticky clay soil.
Many water birds, amphibians
and fish species inhabit these
areas.

Plants that have adapted to grow

in shallow stagnant water such
as
• Habarala (S) / Semaikilangu
(T)- Colocasia species,
• Kekatiya (S)- Aponogeton
spp,
• Reeds (E)/ Pan (S)species
are abundant in inland
marshlands.
 Freshwater swamp forests
• Freshwater swamp forests are not common in Sri Lanka.
• It is a place where forest vegetation is inundated for a short
period of time in the year

• Seen in the Waturana swamp at Bulathsinhala located in the

„kalu ganga basin‟.
 Villus
• Generally villus are the flood plains of the reservoirs.
• Villu grasslands possess a special link with the wildlife in the
area, especially elephants and bird populations.
• The vegetation is dominant with grasses (members of
Poaceae) and sedges (members of Cyperaceae).
• Villu grasslands are located in areas such as Mahawelli
flood plains, Wilpattu National park etc.
 Coastal wetlands
Lagoons and Estuaries
Lagoons are coastal wetlands
generally separated from the sea by a
sand barrier.
Eg: Negombo and Bundala lagoons.

Estuaries are formed in places where

rivers enter the sea and does not
contain a sand barrier separating it Lagoon
from seas
e.g. Maduganga/Benthota).

The daily tidal fluctuation is a

characteristic of these places.

Estuary
 Mangroves
• Mangroves ecosystem is an
intertidal vegetation that
covers fringes of the
lagoons and estuaries.
• They share characteristics
usually of saline/brackish
water, loose soil and anoxic
conditions. The vegetation
is also exposed to intense
sunlight.
 Distribution of
Mangroves in Sri Lanka

Mangroves are found in

Puttalam, Batticaloa,
Trincomalee and Galle,
Bentota and Negombo.
 Mangrove plants could
be categorized into two
groups;
true mangroves that
occur towards the
boundary between sea
and land and
Common true mangrove species are; mangrove associates
• S: kadol, T: kandal. (Rhizophora spp,
that occur more towards
Bruguiera spp, ) inland
• S: Mas athu gas T: kannamaram
(Avicennia marina)

Common mangrove associates are:

• S: Karan Koku, E: Golden leather fern
(Acrostichum aureu)
• S:Katu- ikili E: Holly mangrove
(Acanthus ilicifolius)
 Some examples of magroves

Bruguiera
Rhizophora

Acrostichum aur

Avicennia marina

Acanthus ilicifolius
Acrostichum aureu
• In order to protect from sunlight leaves
of mangrove have a thick cuticle to
reflect sunrays and/ or cut off excess
radiation.
• Some have salt glands to secrete
excess salts that are absorbed by the
plants.
• There are special roots to intake
atmospheric oxygen.
• Seeds of some mangroves germinate
while attached to the mother plant
(vivipary). This help the seed to
establish successfully soon after
falling from the tree. Pneumatophores

Mangroves provide a unique habitat mainly for many crustaceans

and mollusks.
Stilt roots

Prop roots
 Salt marshes
• These are marshlands restricted to
the arid coastal regions of the country
where soil dries up to form crystals of
salts during the dry season.
• Low rainfall, high wind, high
temperatures and loose sand blowing
with salt are some of the major
characteristics found in this
ecosystem.
• The vegetation has only few plant
and animal species .
• Plants are short, contain fleshy
succulent plant bodies
• One common plant species is
Salicornia sp.
• Salt marshes are common in
Puttalam, Mannar, Hambantota and
Vakarai areas.
 Sea grass beds
• In large lagoon areas with low wave action,
the floor of the shallow sea is occupied by sea
grasses.

• These are not grass species but appear like

grasses due to the shape of leaves.

• E.g. Plant species such as Halodule spp and

Halophyla spp. are common sea grasses
found in Sri Lanka (especially from Kalpitiya
to Mannnar)

• Sea grasses grow in a compact cluster and

provides the sea bed a favourable habitat for
breeding of many fish species.

• However, these areas are often disturbed by

the fisheries activities as these are the
parking areas of fishing boats.
 Coral reefs
Coral reefs are one of the natural wonders of the world. Coral reefs consist of
calcareous structures secreted by a group of marine invertebrates. Coral
reefs are famous for their spectacular beauty.

They are considered as „rain forests of the sea‟ because of their high
productivity and high diversity of organisms inhabit them.
Coral reefs can be seen in southern coast
(Akurala to Tangalle), Gulf of Mannar, etc.

The reefs are habitats for a large number of fish

species, invertebrates such as spiny lobsters, sea
cucumbers, etc.
Marine mammals and reptiles such as dolphins
and sea turtles inhabit reefs ocassionally.
 Reservoirs
• There are no natural lakes in Sri Lanka, but there are numerous ancient
irrigation tanks mainlyscattered in the lowland dry zone.
• Typical irrigation tanks include „Parakrama samudra‟, „Kala wewa‟,
„Minneriya wewa and tissawewa.

Aquatic plant species commonly found in the reservoirs are

S: Manel, E: Water lily (Nymphaea spp),
S: Nelum. T: Tamarai (Nelumbo nucifera)
S: Kekatiya, T: Koddi (Aponogeton spp).

Often free floating invasive alien plant species such as Salvinia and Japan
jabara (S)/ waterhyacinth (E) also can be seen in these tanks.

Salvinia waterhyacinth
 Sea shore
• The long sea shore of Sri Lanka varies in nature.
• The most common sea shore type is sandy sea shores.
• The sea shore areas share the characteristics of high
temperature throughout, and salt spray and high winds
especially during the monsoon seasons.
• Most of the sea shore plants have adapted to these
conditions. Examples for these plants are
• Muhudu Binthamburu (S), Beach Morning Glory
.
(E)- atampu (T) (Ipomea pescaprae),
• Maha rawana revula (S), Ravannan meesai (T)
.

Muhudu Binthamburu Maha rawana revula

The vegetation gradually become stable a distance away from
the tide mark, with the stabilization of the soil.

In these areas plant species such as

• Wara (S)/ erukkalai (T)- (Calotropis
gigantea)
• Wetakeiya (S)/ talai (T)- Pandanus
spp etc. can be found

Wara Wetakeiya
 Sand Dunes
• Dunes are characterized by
stunted or creping vegetation on
large masses of sand.
• The sand dune structure is
determined by wind speed and
direction.
• Dunes are raised beaches of
sand and are characteristic of
certain coastal areas in the arid
zone.
Eg: near Mullativu