RESEARCH ARTICLE

MANGROVE DIVERSITY IN MUTHURAJAWELA AND NEGOMBO LAGOON WETLAND COMPLEX, SRI LANKA: INSIGHTS FOR CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT

Abstract

Mangrove forests are extremely productive ecosystems that provide various good and services for the marine environment and people and the species diversity in mangroves is comparatively higher in Sri Lanka. Wide array of coastal wetland ecosystems in Sri Lanka harbors significant mangrove diversity and total number of 21 true mangrove species reported from the island is almost one third of the global diversity of true mangroves in the world. However, estimated 76% of mangrove forests were disappeared from Sri Lanka over the past 100 years and remains only about 8,800 ha of Mangrove forests island wide. The Muthurajawela and Negombo lagoon wetland complex is a diverse mangrove ecosystem located in rapidly developing urban area near Economic capital of Sri Lanka. This study attempted to document the true mangrove diversity of this wetland complex, their direct uses, and conservation problems in order to emphasize the importance for conservation. It involved sampling of mangrove flora in five sampling sites and interviewing the stakeholders (n=78). According to the study the Muthurajawela and Negombo Lagoon wetland complex is an important habitat for mangroves in Sri Lanka where 16 mangrove species were recorded belongs to nine families including three Nationally Endangered mangrove species. This mangrove ecosystem can be utilized in a sustainable manner for providing the economical and ecological benefits to the nation. However, at present this is extremely vulnerable ecosystem and need rapid and strong interventions for the conservation and sustainable use.

Keywords: Biodiversity, Coastline, Mangrove, Muthurajawela, Negombo lagoon

How to Cite: Prakash,T.G.S.L,Weerasinghe,A,Withanage,P.W.A.B.M,Kusuminda,T.G.T, (2017). MANGROVE DIVERSITY IN MUTHURAJAWELA AND NEGOMBO LAGOON WETLAND COMPLEX, SRI LANKA: INSIGHTS FOR CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT.WILDLANKA, 5(3):Pages 099-106

Published On:2017-09-30

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