Floristic Richness and the Conservation Value of Tropical Montane Cloud Forests of Dothalugala Man and Biosphere Reserve, Sri Lanka
Ceylon Journal of Science (Bio. Sci.) 42 (2): 55-70, 2013 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4038/cjsbs.v42i2.6609 Floristic Richness and the Conservation Value of Tropical Montane Cloud Forests of Dothalugala Man and Biosphere Reserve, Sri Lanka E. M. S. Ekanayake1, 2, 3*, D. S. A. Wijesundara2 and G. A. D. Perera1, 3 1Postgraduate Institute of Science, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka. 2Royal Botanic Gardens, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka. 3Department of Botany, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka. Accepted December 28, 2013. ABSTRACT Plant species in Tropical Montane Cloud Forests (TMCFs) of Dothalugala Man and Biosphere (MAB) Reserve were recorded in twenty six 10 x 15 m2 experimental plots, aiming to reveal the total species richness and the richness of endemic and threatened flowering plant species in the forest canopy and the understory and, to find out the impacts of cardamom cultivation on the plant diversity of the study area. One hundred and forty eight plant species (77 tree, 46 shrub, 24 climber and one herbaceous species) belonging to 106 plant genera and 55 plant families have been found from the area examined. A high percentage endemicity of plant species (50%) was revealed in this site due to the presence of 74 (38 tree, 29 shrub, 6 climber and one hebaceous) species endemic to Sri Lanka. Similarly, 68 out of all plant species (45.9%) and 47 out of all endemic plant species (63.5%) in these forests were either globally or nationally threatened. The endemic and ‘Critically Endangered’ Stemonoporus affinis (Dipterocarpaceae) was also found to be thrive in the area.
[Show full text]