Agro- forestry system to protect both the Sinharaja forest and the peripheral villages (a case study of the southern part of Sin haraja)

Kandyan homcgardens are the most predominant upland cropping system which supposed tobe highly adapted, diversified, economically and environmental viable land use system. Objectives ofthis study were to identify problems and improvement potentials to this important system of landmanagement. Data were collected from randomly selected (n=65) homegardens in Yatinuwara DistrictSecretariat division during 2006. A vegetation survey was conducted to evaluate the structure andcomposition of homegardens. A household survey was conducted by interviewing the members toidentify tree use practices by family members, constraints and improvement potentials. Secondarydata were also collected from Agrarian Service Centres, maps and reports.Hornegardens in the study area have maintained diverse on farm trees. They cultivating andusing at least 138 species of which 36, 34, 24 and 6% comprised timber, medicinal plant, fruit tree andexport agricultural crop species. There are 73, 193,300 and 147, individuals of timber, fruit medicinaland export agricultural crops plants/ha indicating high plant density per unit area. These speciesgrown on homegardens have substantially contributed to meet the dai ly need of household, supplyingmainly fruit, green vegetable, timber and fuelwood. Some of these species have medicinal value andalso play an important role in soil conservation. This suggests that homegardens are important as asource of conserving agro-biodiversity, species, habitat and landscape protection. However, morethan half of the homegardens of Yatinuwara area are 20-80 perches category which indicate landfragmentation. Thus, each land unit has to playa vital role with limited land availability. Therefore,sustainable management practices are very important to increase production to reach increasing demanddue to increasing human population while maintaining the resource base. In satisfying necessarychanges to hornegardens, availability of quality planting material (only 22% had access to recommendedplanting material), height offruit trees, poor soil management and labour scarcity were identified asmajor problems in Yatinuwara area. There are improvement potentials to homegardens by increasingthe productivity of the existing system. It is possible even to increase the number of trees perhomegardens by introducing new varieties. It is also possible to replace existing less productiveindividuals by certified planting material. In addition, management of soil can also be improved byintroducing new techniques such as compost preparations with garbages and fallen leaves whichrequire attitudinal changes of households. Implications of these are discussed with respect to food,nutritional and health security and income generation.

SMALL HYDROPOWER PROJECTS: ENVIRONMENTAL AND HYDRO·GEOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVES

Small hydropower projects are those that generate less than 10 MW of electricity usingsmall run-of-the-river hydropower systems. They usually consist of water conveyance.(headrace channel, forebay and penstock), powerhouse unit, tailrace and transmissionline. It is considered as a renewable resource of energy. It does not contribute to globalwarming and does not contribute to acid rains etc. Therefore, there is no question ofpollution or degradation of land, waterways or other water bodies. However, large-scaledam hydropower projects are often criticized for their impacts on environment,particularly on wildlife habitat, fish migration, and water flow and quality. It is usuallyassumed that small, run-of-the-river projects are free from many of the environmentalproblems associated with their large-scale counterparts because of the use of the naturalflow of the river, and thus producing relatively little change in the stream channel andflow. This paper addresses the feasibility of small hydropower projects in Sri Lanka withrespect to environmental issues, geological stability and hydrological feasibility usingcase studies. The results of the study revealed that environmental impacts of smallhydropower projects are location sensitive and also case dependant. In most cases,proper planning and implementation of the project and relevant mitigatory measures canminimize significant impacts of projects. Problems related to implementation andmonitoring of impacts and possible solutions are also discussed

USES OF PTERIDOPHTE FLORA IN SRI LANKA

Pteridophyte flora (ferns and fern allies) plays a significant role inunderstorey of the rain forest. Even though Pteridophytes are not widely usein Sri Lanka, it has been reported that they have ability to provide food,medicines, fiber, craft and building materials. Adrasive and decorations, inSri Lanka, 360 Pteridopyte species have been recorded, although informationPteridiphytes and their uses in scanty. Consequently, this study was carriedout to identify the food, medicinal and ornamental uses of Pteridophyte florain Sri Lanka. Studies were carried out at Kanneliya Man and BiosphereReserve (MAB) in Southern Province, Maliboda area in Sri Pada range andHunnasgiriya area in the Knuckles range. Observation of Pteridophyte floraand their identification and sample collection were done using scientificallyfrom discussion with adjacent communities, Hanthana, Dolosbage andLoolkandura (Kandy), Kalupahana (Matale), Namunukula (Badulla) andWatawala, Thalawakele and Hortain planes areas (Nuwara eliya) were alsovisited to observe and collect information on Pteridophytes, particularly withrespect to uses. Relevant literatures on Pteridophytes were also reviewed tofind out traditional and current uses of this plant category.Results of the study revealed that out of he 360 Pteridophytes species in SriLanka, only 4% (16 species) were used for medicinal purposes, while another4% (15 species) and 1% (5 species) were used as ornamental and plants,respectively. Eight species, namely Acrosticum aureum, Blechnum orientale,Drynaria quercifolia, Huperzia phlegmaria, H. squarrosa, Lycopodiellacernua, Nephrolepis falcate, and Ophioglossum pendulum were used for theboth medicinal and ornamental purpose. Two species, namely Acrostichumaureum and Blechnum oreientale were used for ornamental, medicinal aswell as foods. Cyathea walkera is the only endemic fern used for ornamentalplant and it was unable to find uses of the endemic Pteridophytes asmedicinal or food uses. Six species used for medicinal purposes and 4 speciesused for ornamental purposes have been identifies as threatened species.During the study, it was noted that the adjacent communities collectedspecies from the wild and none of the species under cultivation, suggestingthat for some species immediate conservation and utilization measures arerequired

STATUS OF BIODIVERSITY OF MAHAWELI RIVER AND ITS RIVER BANKS BETWEEN WATAWALA AND GINIGATHHENA

A systematic survey was conducted from January to August 2003 to identify existingmajor habitats, status of biodiversity with respect to flora (flowering plants and fern andfern allies) and fauna (birds and mammals, butterflies, amphibians and freshwater fishspecies), and threats they faced in the Mahaweli river and adjacent river banks betweenWatawala and Nawalapitiya. The flora and fauna were documented using scientificallyvalid techniques.The survey enabled to identify seven major vegetationlhabitats along the Mahaweli riverand its adjacent river banks. They are: river bank habitat with secondary growth; flowingfresh water habitat; ephemeral and perennial small stream water habitat; scrub forestarea; Pinus plantation, homegardens, Albizia dominated abandoned tea plantation, teaplantation, abandoned tea plantation with grassland, and Eucalyptus plantation. Withinthe stretch, a total of 170 species of flowering plants and fern and fern allies belongs to64 families were identified. A total of 18 species of birds (9 families), 16 species ofbutterflies (7 families), 10 species of freshwater fishes (5 families), 16 species of reptiles(7 families), 7 species of amphibians (3 families) and 13 species of mammals (10families) have also been documented.At present, the biodiversity of Mahaweli river and its adjacent river banks hasbeen subjected to several threats, namely pollution due to garbage disposal (mainly atGinigathhena), spread of alien invasive species (mainly at river banks due to Clusiarosea), direct exploitation of species (freshwater fish species), encroachment of bankreservation, unplanned land use practices and small hydropower projects. The criticallyaffected group as a result of these threats is fresh wa•er fish species, which includes 6threatened endemic species. Thus, clear mitigatory measures will be required to avoiddisturbances to such species.

Relationships between transition period diet, metabolic parameters and fertility in lactating dairy cows

Cows in severe negative energy balance after calving have reduced fertility, mediated by metabolic signals influencing the reproductive system. We hypothesised that transition diet could alter metabolic status after calving, and thus influence fertility. Multiparous dairy cows were assigned to four transition groups 6 weeks pre-calving and fed: (a) basal control diet (n = 10); (b) basal diet plus barley (STARCH, n = 10); (c) basal diet plus Soypass (high protein, HiPROT, n = 11); or (d) no transition management (NoTRANS, n = 9). All cows received the same lactational diet. Blood samples, body weights and condition scores (BCS) were collected weekly. Fertility parameters were monitored using milk progesterone profiles and were not affected by transition diet. Data from all cows were then combined and analysed according to the pattern of post-partum ovarian activity. Cows with low progesterone profiles had significantly lower insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and insulin concentrations accompanied by reduced dry matter intakes (DMIs), BCS and body weight. Cows with prolonged luteal activity (PLA) were older and tended to have lower IGF-I. Analysis based on the calving to conception interval revealed that cows which failed to conceive (9/40) also had reduced IGF-I, BCS and body weight. Fertility was, therefore, decreased in cows which were in poor metabolic status following calving. This was reflected in reduced circulating IGF-I concentrations and compromised both ovarian activity and conception. There was little effect of the transition diets on these parameters. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved

Conservation Priorities for Tree Ferns (Cyatheaceae) in Sri Lanka

Diversity, phytogeography and conservation status of Sri Lankan tree-ferns are discussed in this paper. The family Cyatheaceae is represented by eight taxa (seven species and one doubtful variety) in Sri Lanka with a high rate of endemism of 75%. Apart from Cyathea walkerae and C. gigantea, the other species are restricted to geographically isolated areas in the country with limited population sizes. Fortunately, all Sri Lankan species of Cyathea occur within the protected areas of the wet zone. However, ex situ conservation is limited to C. walkerae and C. crinita at Botanic Gardens in Hakgala. Despite the family being listed in Annex II of CITES, its species have not yet been assessed in Sri Lanka for the Red Listing criteria. Identification of the nature and level of threat to Sri Lankan Cyathea species is therefore a major priority, followed by the monitoring of populations in situ in protected areas in the wet zone. Ex situ conservation of rare species and cultivation of Cyathea species from spores have also been identified as priority areas. A strong programme should be developed with the National Herbarium to explore little known forest patches in the wet zone to enhance our knowledge of Cyathea species in Sri Lanka. Such information will provide a strong basis for preparing a conservation and management plan for tree-ferns in the country

Diversity and distributional ecology of tree ferns of Sri Lanka: A step towards conservation of a unique gene pool

Tree ferns are a remarkable group among the lycophytes and ferns. Geographical isolation is suggested as one of the main reasons for local endemism of tree ferns and the island of Sri Lanka has been identified as one of the best demonstration sites to observe this phenomenon. Despite its small size, Sri Lanka has a rich diversity and one of the highest levels of endemism of tree ferns in Asia. Their diversity here is considered as an unique and important gene pool in the world. The present eco-spatial survey is to study the diversity and ecology of tree ferns in Sri Lanka. The study identified nine tree fern species including one new record of an adventive species. The species are Cyathea hookeri, C. sinuata, C. sledgei, C. srilankensis, C. walkerae, C. crinita, C. gigantea, C. australis and Dicksonia antarctica. Of these, the first five species are endemic to Sri Lanka. Dicksonia antarctica and Cyathea australis are exotic and naturalised in forest clearings in Piduruthalagala forest. Cyathea hookeri, C. sinuata, C. sledgei and C. srilankensis are confined to limited populations in lowland rainforests (62-550 m). Cyathea walkerae is distributed in a wide elevational range throughout the wet zone (30-2,300 m), whereas C. crinita shows a restricted distribution pattern at a high altitude range (1,800-2,400 m). In this study C. gigantea was recorded additionally from lowland rain forests, though it was previously reported to be confined to submontane and montane ecosystems. The results of this study provide baseline information on the distributional ecology of Sri Lankan Cyathea species. It will be useful to assess their current conservation status and to formulate conservation guidelines for these remarkable and spectacular ferns so characteristic to Sri Lanka

Universal barcoding regions, rbcL, matK and trnH-psbA do not discriminate Cinnamomum species in Sri Lanka.

The genus Cinnamomum consists of about 250 species spread globally. Out of these, C. verum (C. zeylanicum), also known as true cinnamon or Ceylon cinnamon, has gained worldwide attention due to its culinary uses and medicinal values. Sri Lanka is the largest true cinnamon producer in the world and accounts for about 80-90% of global production. Other than the cultivated species, Sri Lankan natural vegetation is home to seven endemic wild species of the genus Cinnamomum. While these are underutilized, proper identification and characterization are essential steps in any sustainable conservation and utilization strategies. Currently, species identification is purely based on morphological traits, and intraspecific diversity has made it more challenging. In this study, all the eight Cinnamomum species found in Sri Lanka, C. capparu-coronde, C. citriodorum C. dubium, C. litseifolium, C. ovalifolium, C. rivulorum, C. sinharajaense, and C. verum were collected in triplicates and identified using typical morphological traits. DNA extracted with the same collection was assessed with universal barcoding regions, rbcL, matK, and trnH-psbA. While no intraspecific sequence differences were observed in C. citriodorum, C. rivulorum, and C. verum, the others had polymorphic sites in one, two, or all regions assessed. Interestingly, two individuals of C. sinharajaense had identical barcodes to the cultivated species C. verum, while the other one had one variable cite in matK region and three cites in trnH-psbA reigon. Further, one C. dubium and one C. capparu-coronde accession each had identical, rbcL, and trnH-psbA sequences while those had only a single nucleotide variation observed in matK region. Overall, the phylogeny of Cinnamomum species found in Sri Lanka could not be completely resolved with DNA barcoding regions studied

Nucleotide diversity in ITS regions among 10 <i>Cinnamomum</i> species.

Nucleotide diversity in ITS regions among 10 Cinnamomum species.</p