The World Conservation Union
Uniqueness of mangroves
Coastal ecosystem that are associating lagoons & estuaries
- High salinity - Low oxygen - High light intensity - Strong winds - Periodic inundation
The World Conservation Union
1 Provide nutrients to coastal habitats
The World Conservation Union
One of the most productive wetland ecosystems
Plants Animals Microbial organisms
The World Conservation Union
2 12,000 ha
Largest Mangrove Habitats - Puttlam Lagoon - Kala Oya Basin - Trincomalee
The World Conservation Union
Extent of mangroves in coastal districts
Colombo 39 Batticaloa 1303 Gampaha 313 Ampara 100 Puttalam 3210 Hambanatota 576
Kilinochchi 770 Matara 7 Jaffna 2276 Galle 238 Mullaitive 428 Kalutara 12 Trincomalee 2043 TOTAL 12189 ha
The World Conservation Union
3 Diversity of Mangrove flora
True mangroves Mangrove associates
The World Conservation Union
Diversity of Mangrove flora
Total of 20 true mangrove species
Four major geniuses
(Avicennia, Rizophora, Brugeria, and Sonneratia )
- 4 Very common species - 10 Common species - 3 Rare species - 3 Very rare species
The World Conservation Union
4 Very Common Species
Avicennia marina (w/i/d) Avicennia officinalis (i) Excoecaria agallocha (w/i/d) Lumnitzera racemosa (w/i/d)
The World Conservation Union
Common Species
Aegiceras corniculatum (w/i/d) Bruguiera gymnorrhiza (w/i) Bruguiera sexangula (w/i) Ceriops tagal (i/d) Heritiera littoralis (w/i/d)
The World Conservation Union
5 Common Species cont….
Nypa fruticans (w/i) Rhizophora apiculata (w/i) Rhizophora mucronata (i/d) Sonneratia caseolaris (w/i) Xylocarpus granatum (i)
The World Conservation Union
Rare species
Bruguiera cylindrica (I/D) Sonneratia alba (I/D) Exoecaria indica (I)
The World Conservation Union
6 Very rare species
Lumnitzera littorea (Balapitiya) Pemphis acidula (Unawatuna) Scyphiphora hydrophyllacea (Kalpitiya)
The World Conservation Union
Mangrove associates Total of 18 species
Very common Acanthus ilicifolius Acrostichum aureum Clerodendron inerme Hibiscus tiliaceus
Very rare
Cynometra iripa (P/R)
The World Conservation Union
7 Mangrove fauna
Invertebrates - Micro-organisms - Crabs/prawns/lobsters - Dragonflies - Butterflies Vertebrates -Birds - Reptiles -Fish -Amphibians - Mammals
The World Conservation Union
5 species of crabs 5 Species of prawns Mud lobster (Thalassina anomala)
The World Conservation Union
8 Butterflies & Dragonflies
The World Conservation Union
Services.. Ecotourism Mangroves as a protective and breeding habitats for fish
The World Conservation Union
9 Mangrove fish
Mono argenteus Scatophagus argus Terapon jarbua Etroplus suratensis
The World Conservation Union
Birds that are associating mangroves
The World Conservation Union
10 Reptiles & Amphibians
The World Conservation Union
Mammals in mangroves
- 3 Species of monkeys - Loris - Wild cats - Otters -Bats
The World Conservation Union
11 The World Conservation Union
Bats in mangroves
Pteropus giganteus - Flying fox Rousettus leschenaulti - Fulvous fruit bat Cynopterus sphinx - Short-nosed fruit bat
The World Conservation Union
12 Economic benefits of mangroves - Fish/prawns - Fuel wood - Food/medicinal plants - Fodder - Protective barrier
The World Conservation Union
Eco-tourism
The World Conservation Union
13 Mangrove destruction Prawn farms
The World Conservation Union
Hotel industry
The World Conservation Union
14 Illegal clearing for settlements
Modified mangrove habitat
The World Conservation Union
Mangrove pollution
Sandy sea shore
The World Conservation Union
15 Clearing for fuel wood
The World Conservation Union
Thank You
The World Conservation Union
16