JOURNAL OF COASTAL DEVELOPMENT
Vol 7, No 1 (2003): Volume 7, Number 1, Year 2003

STATUS OF MANGROVES IN SRI LANKA

K. M. B. C. Karunathilake (Institute of Fundamental Studies, Hantana Road, Kandy)



Article Info

Publish Date
25 Oct 2010

Abstract

In Sri Lanka many estuaries and lagoons are fringed with vastly diverse mangrove forests. The total mangrove cover is very small as 0.1 to 0.2 percent of the total land area. The distribution of fauna and flora varies along with wet and dry zone in the country. Around 25 species of flora are exclusive to mangroves and more than 25 species can be identified as associated mangroves. Variety of invertebrates and vertebrates are conspicuous in the mangrove forests, but only a few species are confined to the ecosystem. Heavy utilization and reforestation for shrimp farms and building construction work severely affect on this ecosystem. When compare to decline rate of mangrove forests in Sri Lanka, current implemented conservation measures are inadequate.

Copyrights © 2003






Journal Info

Abbrev

coastdev

Publisher

Subject

Education

Description

The Journal of Coastal Development (ISSN 1410-5217) is dedicated to all aspects of the increasingly important fields of coastal and marine development, including but not limited to biological, chemical, cultural, economic, social, medical, and physical development. The journal is jointly published ...