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Baseline Survey on Biodiversity in up country tea estates in Sri Lanka
By lakmali | March 17, 2010
G.G.T. Chandrathilake1
Conventional tea plantation was assessed in terms of biodiversity in up country tea estates in Sri Lanka. A rapid survey was carried out to document the both faunal and floral diversity associated in selected nine (9) tea estate in Nuwara Eliya district an areas that have not been properly surveyed for biodiversity. Based on vegetation types, physical conditions and edaphic factors, a total of five (5) major habitat types were identified as well managed tea fields, home gardens, forest/fuel wood plantations, abandoned land surface water bodies. All of the land cover is of anthropogenic origin while riparian vegetation (secondary) diminutive beside the numerous streams which originating from summits and flowing along steep valleys. Study started from August to October 2007 and direct observations, indirect observations and reliable information from local people were used to study birds, butterflies and mammals nested within the tea estate ecosystem while direct observation was used to record flora (except ornamental plants and vegetables) in representative habitats.
A total of 73 faunal species were recorded from study areas out of them 41 species of birds, 11 species of mammals, 16 species of butterflies 2 species of fresh water crabs and 3 species of fresh water fish. The birds identified includes seven endemic species (Sri Lanka yellow fronted barbet, dull blue flycatcher, Sri Lanka wood pigeon, Sri Lanka Jungle fowl, crimson-backed flame back, brown capped babbler and Ceylon white eye). Ceylon white eye can be seen in considerable abundance. Among the mammals presented Sri Lanka toque monkey was the endemic species while other nine species native to the Sri Lanka. All the butterflies recorded from the study area are under common and very common categories. The flora recorded from the survey area includes 108 species belonging to 45 families. Most of the trees are introduced planted species while most of herbaceous species encountered are considered as weeds (46). These include 42 species of trees and remaining 62 species of woody shrubs, herbs, grass and 4 species of ferns.
Conventional agricultural practices like application of pesticide, weedicieds and inorganic fertilizer, land degradation due to soil erosion and spread of invasive alien plants were observed as common threats to existing taxa. Introduction of organic tea farming, Agroforestry systems and establishment of riparian vegetation along the surface water bodies will be important factors to the existing and to enhance the faunal diversity within the tea estate ecosystem.
G.G.T. Chandrathilake
1Department of Forestry and Environmental Science, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka.
Topics: Biodiversity, sympoisum 2009 | No Comments »