COASTAL

ECOSYSTEMS
IN SRI LANKA

BY: SHAKEEL AND

JERMAINE
 INTRODUCTION
Where is Sri Lanka?
Sri Lanka, officially known as the democratic socialist republic of Sri Lanka, is an island country
in South Asia, located in the Indian Ocean to the South West of the Bay of Bengal, and to the
South East of the Arabian Sea. Countries close to it are India. The Maldives, Malaysia and
Thailand.
Capital city: Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte ( 6° 56′ 0″ N, 79° 52′ 0″ E )
Language: Sinhala [1]
Population: 21,670,000 (2018 estimate)[2]
Religion: Buddhism, Hindusim, Islam, Christianity
Small History: Independence from the UK in 4th February 1948[3]
Area: 65,600km sq
COASTAL
ECOSYSTEM
1: CORAL
REEFS
 CORAL REEFS IN SRI LANKA
Sri Lanka has an abundance of coral reefs around most part of the island. They are rich in
biodiversity with over 200 coral reef species.[4]

Fig 1.1-Coral reef in Hikkaduwa, Sri Lanka Fig 1.2- Coral garden in the
Northwest of Sri Lanka
ADVANTAGES OF REEFS IN SRI LANKA

TOURISM [5] FISHERIES SOURCES OF MEDICAL ADVANCES[6]

FIG 1.3-
LOCATION OF
CORAL REEFS
IN SRI LANKA
FISHING[7] CORAL MINING[8]

THREATS TO CORAL REEFS IN

SRI LANKA

POLLUTION
COASTAL
ECOSYSTEM
2:
MANGROVE
S
 MANGROVES IN SRI LANKA
Mangroves are a valuable ecological and economical resource to Sri Lanka. According to the
national forest department, Sri Lanka is home to over 20 mangrove species, which extend over an
area of 15,670 hectares.
Fig - 2.1 Arugam mangroves sanctuary, Sri Lanka Fig – 2.2 Maduganga mangrove
sanctuary, Sri Lanka
FIG 2.3-
LOCATION OF
MANGROVES
IN SRI LANKA
 ADVANTAGES OF MANGROVES IN
SRI LANKA

FOR SHRIMP FARMING[9] FOR MAKING ORNAMENTS[9] WOOD USED FOR MAKING HOUSES[9]
 ADVANTAGES OF MANGROVES IN
SRI LANKA(SLIDE 2)

PROVIDES HABITAT FOR FOR CARBON FACILITATE THE GROWTH OF

ANIMALS TO SURVIVE[10] SEQUESTRATION[10] REEFS AND PROVIDES SHELTER
FOR CORAL REEFS[10]
THREATS TO MANGROVES

CLIMATE CHANGE[11] CUTTING DOWN MANGROVES CIVL WAR[13]

FOR HUMAN USES[12]
COASTAL
ECOSYSTEM
3: SALT
MARSHES
SALT MARSHES IN SRI LANKA
Salt marshes are common is Sri Lanka due to its peak amount of rainfall. Over 5000mm in the
wetter areas. The salt marshes are an important traditional habitat between the ocean and
the land; they are estuaries where fresh and salt water flocculate.
Fig-3.1 Salt marshes in Nagadeepa, Sri Lanka Fig-3.2 Salt marshes in
Muthurajanila, Sri Lanka
FIG 3.3-
LOCATION OF
SALT
MARSHES IN
SRI LANKA
 ADVANTAGES OF SALT MARSHES IN SRI LANKA

FUNCTIONS TO PRESERVE REDUCES COASTAL EROSION PROVIDES A STABLE

WATER QUALTIY AND SUPPLY AND PROTECTS AGAINST HABITAT FOR FISHES
AND FILTERS STORM WATER WAVES[15]
POLLUTANTS[16]
 THREATS TO SALT MARSHES

PLASTIC POLLUTION[16] DUE TO INVASIVE SPECIES[17] ENCROACHMENTOF

OTHER PLANTS[18]
COASTAL
ECOSYSTE
M 4: SAND
DUNES
 SAND DUNES IN SRI LANKA
In Sri Lanka, sand dunes play a major role in boosting its economy due to tourism. It is also a
way of protecting the people and their settlements as it slows down wave action.
Fig 4.1 – Sand dunes in Panama, Sri Lanka Fig 4.2 – Sand dunes in
Manalakaddu, Sri Lanka
FIG 4.3-
LOCATION OF
SAND DUNES
IN SRI LANKA
 ADVANTAGES OF SAND DUNES IN SRI LANKA

Vegetation traps sand Marram grass and sand Provide basic requirements
and prevent it from dunes protect the land from and a stable habitat for
being blown further sea level rise and floods. endangered species such as
inland[19] [20] marine turtles.[21]
THREATS TO SAND DUNES

CREATION OF TOURIST
SAND PLASTIC POLLUTION[24]
INFRASTRUCTURE[23]
MINING[22]
 REFRENCES
1. Department of Official Languages".
2. https://www.worldometers.info/world-population/sri-lanka-population/
3. A Brief History of Sri Lanka". www.localhistories.org. Retrieved 14 August 2017.
4.https://www.slam.lk/corals
5. Pradeepa, Ganga (28 November 2008). "Hikkaduwa where the impressive coral reef is on offer".
Daily News. Retrieved 2009-07-09
6. https://www.leisurepro.com/blog/explore-the-blue/5-ways-coral-reefs-important-humans/
7. Hale, L.Z. and Kumin, E., 1992. Implementing a coastal resources management policy, the case of
prohibiting coral mining in Sri Lanka. Coastal Resources Centre of the University of Rhode Island.
USA. 30p.
8. Baldwin, M.F., (ed.). 1991. Natural Resources of Sri Lanka: Conditions and Trends. Natural
Resources Energy and Science Authority (NARESA), Colombo, Sri Lanka, 280p
 REFRENCES (SLIDE 2)
11. https://www.seacology.org/project/sri-lanka-mangrove-conservation-project/
12. http://theconversation.com/how-shrimp-farming-wreaked-havoc-on-sri-lankas-coasts-44933
13.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sri_Lankan_Civil_War
14. http://www.plotformplot.org/urbanshores/portfolio-3-columns-2/
15. http://journals.sjp.ac.lk/index.php/fesympo/article/view/4208/3322
16. https://www.greatmarsh.org/login/values-of-the-marsh
17. EFC (2004) Environmental fact sheet. New Hampshire Dept. of Environmental Sciences.
http://des.nh.gov/organization/commissioner/pip/factsheets/cp/documents/cp-08.pdf.
18. Lowry K, Wickremeratne HJM (1987) Coastal area management in Sri Lanka. The University of Chicago, Chicago,
pp 263–293
19. Packham, J. R. and Willis, A. J (1997). Ecology of dunes, salt marsh and shingle. 352 pp. New York, NY: Springer.
352 pp.
20. Bambaradeniya, C.N.B., Perera, M. S.J. and V.A.M.P.K. Samarawickrama (2006). A rapid assessment of post-
tsunami environmental dynamics in relation to coastal zone rehabilitation and development activities in Hambantota
District of southern Sri Lanka. IUCN Sri Lanka Occasional Paper No. 10. Colombo, Sri Lanka: IUCN. 27pp.
 REFRENCES (SLIDE 3)
21. Choudury, B. C., Pandav, B., Tripathy, B., and H. V. Andrews (2003). Sea turtle
conservation: Eco (turtle) friendly coastal development. A GOI-UNDP project manual. Tamil
Nadu, India : Centre for Herpetology/Madras Crocodile Bank Trust. 44 pp.
22. . CCD (2004). Revised Coastal Zone Management Plan, Sri Lanka. Colombo, Sri Lanka:
Coast Conservation Department, Ministry of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources. xiv+182 pp.
23.https://www.researchgate.net/publication/303806012_Seagrasses_and_sand_dunes'_Coast
al_Ecosystems_Series_Vol_3
24. .
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/282901436_Conservation_Plan_for_Hambantota_Sa
nd_Dunes
REPETITION OF NUMBER OF REFRENCE MEANS THAT THE INFORMATION WAS TAKEN FROM
THE SAME WEBSITE
 PICTURE REFRENCES
Fig 1.1-https://exploresrilanka.Ik/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/IMG13_fmt.jpg
Fig 1.2-http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nV5u0YE0hRo/UYnuRjEpTrI/AAAAAAAAB34/bvrbMmVfLi0/s1600/coral-gardens.jpg
Fig 1.3-Important recorded coral reef areas in Sri Lanka. Source: NARA; Rajasuriya and White 1995.
Fig 2.1-http://www.for91days.com/photos/SriLanka/Arugam%20Bay%20Lagoon/Mangroves-Sri-Lanka.jpg
Fig 2.2-Panoromia-Photo of Sri Lanka’s Maduganga mangroves.
Fig 2.3-http://dbsjeyaraj.com/dbsj/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/MG101412.jpg
Fig 3.1-alamy photo stock: Salt marshes in Nagadeepa
Fig 3.2-photo taken by Aruna Weerasingha on the salt marshes found in Muthurajanila, Sri Lanka
Fig 3.3-https://www.researchgate.net/figure/A-map-of-Sri-Lanka-showing-and-sites-mentioned-in-the-text-and-districts-affected-by-
the_fig4_260217066
Fig 4.1-Panoromia-Photo of sand dunes in Panama, Sri Lanka
Fig 4.2-http://roadslesstravelledsrilanka.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/Manalkadu-desert-sand-dunes-_-Casuarina-trees-of-
Manalkadu-1024x603.jpg
Fig 4.3-http://www.fao.org/3/ag124e/AG124E10.htm
Thank You