After the 30-year long civil war was over, the Government of Sri Lanka commenced an accelerated programme to develop the Northern Province. If not carefully planned, such a programme will result in the loss of biodiversity and the consequent loss of services that ecosystems provide humans.
The hope is that this field guide, along with its companion, volume 1, will be useful resources for snorkelers, divers, and all those interested in marine life in expanding their knowledge on identification of species found in the reef habitats of Sri Lanka.
Using his marine experience of nearly four decades, the author has provided accurate descriptions of selected reef fishes, with precise illustrations by Shantha Jayaweera.
This booklet is an attempt to redress the lack of general knowledge on tidal flats and create awareness about their importance and the current threats facing these little-known ecosystems.
Coastal lagoons and estuaries, lying at the boundary between ocean and land, house a unique mosaic of habitats, giving rise to high species diversity and the creation of ecotones. They are also ecologically and economically important ecosystems that provide many ecosystem services.
Mangroves for the Future (MFF) is a partnership-based regional initiative promoting investments in coastal ecosystems that support sustainable development.
This study documents the terrestrial and aquatic habitat types and floral and faunal species richness found in the Sampur area and current threats to biodiversity in the area.
This publication presents the findings of the physical, ecological, archaeological and socio-economic assessments of Delft Island; a map of Delft Island, illustrating its present land-use patterns, as well as areas that should, potentially, be earmarked for future development and conservation act
Increasing incidence and intensity of natural disasters and climate change are having over-arching impacts on the environment. Sustainable development is being undermined. Ecological services and their indirect economic values are frequently omitted from assessments.
Author(s):
Miththapala, Sriyanie
Organization(s):
IUCN Sri Lanka
FAO, Bay of Bengal Large Marine Ecosystem (BOBLME)
This study, based on a colloquium, field assessments of development activities and technical analyses pertaining to barrier-built estuaries and lagoons, was inspired by the positive response to a preceding report captioned <a href=http
This Manual presents a framework, includes technical material for raising awareness, and provides basic education on governance in the context of natural resources, and is designed to target a wide audience.
Organization(s):
IUCN Sri Lanka
United Kingdom, Department for International Development (DFID)
This booklet documents the achievements of selected projects of the Mangroves for the Future (MFF) Small Grants Programme in Sri Lanka, with emphasis on drawing lessons to improve future project performance.
This beautiful picture book is an effort to present a cross section of the activities recently implemented by IUCN Sri Lanka in encouraging wise use of natural resources in that country.
The goal of this toolkit is to help promote environmental stewardship and increase awareness of marine and coastal ecosystems among schoolchildren in Asia through the use of creative, investigative approaches.
Author(s):
Hoon, Vineeta
Kanvinde, Hemal
Sriskanthan, Gaya
Organization(s):
IUCN
Centre for Action Research on Environment Science and Society (CARESS), IN
Coral Reef Degradation in the Indian Ocean (CORDIO)
The Community Conservation Support Fund (CCSF) in Sri Lanka supports innovative, community-based and natural resources management initiatives with the help of small grants.
In the wake of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, four organizations, Both ENDS, World Wide Fund for Nature, Wetlands International and IUCN Netherlands Committee, implemented Green Coast: for nature and people after the tsunami, to assist the tsunamiaffected countries in Asia: India, Indonesia, Sr
The objective of these guidelines is to evolve a systematically designed common approach for rehabilitation of a vegetation buffer stable enough to absorb the devastating energy of natural disasters. These Guidelines provide implementers with a quick reference to the procedures.
Following the magnitude of the destruction that resulted from the December 2004 tsunami there was an urgent need to draw up emergency strategies and action plans, in order to contain, and wherever possible to reverse, the adverse impacts on the environment, while at the same time continuing recon
This publication will serve as a concise guide to the Sinharaja rainforest, by providing tips and advice to visitors, and information with regards to its cultural importance. Descriptions and checklists have also been provided for some of the plant and animal species found in this rainforest.
Taxonomic research on the faunal groups of Sri Lanka has undergone tremendous growth since the 1990s, resulting in the discovery and scientific description of several new species.
Author(s):
Bambaradeniya, Channa N. B.
Organization(s):
IUCN Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka, Ministry of Environment, Biodiversity Secretariat
This was prepared as part of a comprehensive, concerted and integrated effort at a national level to make a significant headway in Sri Lanka 's marine turtle conservation.
This paper presents the findings of a series of biodiversity assessments conducted in the Anawilundawa wetland sanctuary from September 2003-January 2004.
This publication, which was prepared in Sinhala, provides a general introduction to an intergovernmental treaty, known as the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS), which aims to conserve terrestrial, marine and avian species.
The Lunama and Kalametiya lagoons are located on the southeastern coast of Sri Lanka. Part of the Dry Zone of the country, their importance led to their being designated in 1984 as a Sanctuary under the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance.
The ancient tank system supported peoples livelihoods in times of foreign invasions. These livelihoods were environment friendly, and had the capacity to feed many a generation who constructed them. Today, many rural people still use these tanks for irrigation and other purposes.
In spite of the fact that Sri Lanka has a relatively high Human Development Index (HDI) overall, the majority of families living in coastal areas fall into the poorest category.
Being an island, Sri Lanka is rich in coastal and marine habitats. Sub-tidal habitats such as coral and rocky reefs are abundant, along with large soft bottom habitats.
The Muthurajawela Marsh is part of an integrated coastal wetland system of high biodiversity and ecological significance. Yet it is subject to intense and growing pressures from urban, residential, recreational and industrial development.