The biodiversity of Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka has the highest biodiversity per unit area in Southeast Asia and is recognized as one of the world's #39;hot spots#39;. Located at the southern tip of the Indian peninsula, the island cul-de-sac was separated from the Indian mainland due to the sea level changes of the Late Pleistocene epoch.
A wide variety of ecological habitats ranging from coral reefs to Upper Montane Cloud Forests rising up to 3000m from sea level harbour numerous endemic species of fauna and flora. Of the >3368 species
of flowering plants found, 26% percent are evidently endemic to the island. 314 species of fern and fern allies and many others of mosses, algae and fungi are also among those recorded. The island also supports a wide variety of faunal species. 
Among the insects species are > 400 species of arachnids, >243 species of butterflies,139 species of mosquitoes, >525 species of carabid, beetles etc. Among the vertebrates are78 species of freshwater fishes, 2 species of crocodiles, 5 species of marine turtles, 3 species of tortoises 21 species of geckos,16 species of agamide lizards, 21 species of skinks, 435 species of birds, 90 species of mammals, 93 species of snakes and >54 species of amphibians..
The surrounding coastal waters support approximately 38 species of marine mammals.
At present, the majority are globally and locally endangered or threatened from the prolonged human impact on the marine environment.
The history of recognizing the importance of protecting the nation's natural resources predates to 3rd century BC during the reign of King Devanampiyatissa. The chronicles report that the King established the island's first recorded wildlife reserve in Anuradhapura following the introduction of the Buddhist doctrine. Despite the recognition of various international Conventions, the value of the nation's eco-cultural diversity has not yet been recognized to its full potential by the concerned parties, in the recent past. The need for the intervention and mediation of the Non-governmental sector in environmental conservation and preservation of cultural resources has thus arisen in the past few decades.
|
