Faunal Diversity and the Ecological Aspects of a Community-Based Fragmented Lowland Rainforest Patch in Western Province, Sri Lanka

Q3 Environmental Science
B. Abeyrathne, Nilanga Ranatunga, Sahani Chandrasiri, I. Madola
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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Wawekale Rainforest Reserve (WRR) is a primary lowland tropical rainforest area in the Western Province of Sri Lanka, established with diversity, but disturbed by human activities such as rubber cultivation, logging, poaching, chemical release, and the collection of firewood. Visual Encounter Surveys (VES) were conducted for 100 hours in the year 2022, which covered wide habitat distribution. The herpetofaunal diversity was measured in the WRR which can indicate broader ecological shifts, environmental changes, or habitat degradation. Water quality was measured in the WRR area to determine the ecosystem health and human impact. The study reports 171 species in 73 families, including two Critically Endangered (1.17%), six Endangered (3.51%), 16 Vulnerable (9.36%), and 14 Near Threatened (8.19%) species according to the IUCN Red List. The study area showed 51 endemic faunal species in Sri Lanka, which represented 29.83% of endemism. Based on the observations conducted on the herpetofauna diversity, the Shannon-Wiener diversity index (H) was calculated and the overall herpetofauna (H’H) showed high diversity within the forest premises. The water quality of the forest fragment had an influence from anthropogenic activities such as removing forest cover, bathing, washing vehicles, and releasing agro-chemical compounds resulting in high water temperature, basic pH level, high electrical conductivity, and high total dissolved solid conditions. The WRR, designated under protection, exhibits the need for immediate remedial actions to mitigate human-induced pollution and deforestation, emphasizing the critical importance of implementing proactive conservation measures to sustain ecological integrity and preserve biodiversity.
斯里兰卡西部省以社区为基础的片状低地雨林的动物多样性和生态方面
瓦韦卡莱雨林保护区(WRR)是斯里兰卡西部省的一个原始低地热带雨林区,该保护区具有多样性,但受到人类活动的干扰,如橡胶种植、伐木、偷猎、化学物质释放和木柴采集。2022 年进行了 100 个小时的目测调查(VES),调查范围覆盖了广泛的栖息地分布。在世界水域资源保护区测量了爬行动物的多样性,这可以表明更广泛的生态转变、环境变化或栖息地退化。对 WRR 地区的水质进行了测量,以确定生态系统的健康状况和人类的影响。根据世界自然保护联盟(IUCN)红色名录,该研究报告了 73 科 171 个物种,其中包括 2 个极危物种(1.17%)、6 个濒危物种(3.51%)、16 个易危物种(9.36%)和 14 个近危物种(8.19%)。研究区域有 51 种斯里兰卡特有动物,占特有物种总数的 29.83%。根据对爬行动物多样性的观察,计算了香农-维纳多样性指数(H),总体爬行动物(H'H)在林区内显示出较高的多样性。森林片区的水质受到人类活动的影响,如清除森林植被、洗浴、冲洗车辆和释放农用化合物,导致水温高、pH 值偏低、电导率高和总溶解固体含量高。被指定为保护区的水域资源中心表明,有必要立即采取补救措施,以减轻人类造成的污染和森林砍伐,同时强调了采取积极保护措施以维持生态完整性和保护生物多样性的极端重要性。
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来源期刊
Environment and Natural Resources Journal
Environment and Natural Resources Journal Environmental Science-Environmental Science (all)
CiteScore
1.90
自引率
0.00%
发文量
49
审稿时长
8 weeks
期刊介绍: The Environment and Natural Resources Journal is a peer-reviewed journal, which provides insight scientific knowledge into the diverse dimensions of integrated environmental and natural resource management. The journal aims to provide a platform for exchange and distribution of the knowledge and cutting-edge research in the fields of environmental science and natural resource management to academicians, scientists and researchers. The journal accepts a varied array of manuscripts on all aspects of environmental science and natural resource management. The journal scope covers the integration of multidisciplinary sciences for prevention, control, treatment, environmental clean-up and restoration. The study of the existing or emerging problems of environment and natural resources in the region of Southeast Asia and the creation of novel knowledge and/or recommendations of mitigation measures for sustainable development policies are emphasized. The subject areas are diverse, but specific topics of interest include: -Biodiversity -Climate change -Detection and monitoring of polluted sources e.g., industry, mining -Disaster e.g., forest fire, flooding, earthquake, tsunami, or tidal wave -Ecological/Environmental modelling -Emerging contaminants/hazardous wastes investigation and remediation -Environmental dynamics e.g., coastal erosion, sea level rise -Environmental assessment tools, policy and management e.g., GIS, remote sensing, Environmental -Management System (EMS) -Environmental pollution and other novel solutions to pollution -Remediation technology of contaminated environments -Transboundary pollution -Waste and wastewater treatments and disposal technology
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