Forest Ecology
Our research is focused on a relict wet zone forest in Moraella in the Central Province and Dry Forests in the dry zone. The Moraella forest was discovered in 2007 by Anuradha Medawatte, research assistant in this project. This is part of a network of forests in the Kandy plateau, which escaped conversion to cash crop plantations during the colonial period. The forest is 100 ha large with more than 200 flowering plants and species with massive dipterocarp trees exceeding 45 m in height.
We are conducting studies on the causes of forest degradation of dry forests in the Hurulu Forest Reserve in the Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa districts and the Nuwaragala Forest Reserve in the Ampara district. This includes phyto-sociological and socio-ecological studies, to identify the anthropogenic causes of forest degradation and measures to be taken for forest restoration.
The NIFS owns a 30 ha Arboretum in Dambulla, which was an abandoned slash and burn land (Sinhala: chena) now restored to a model dry forest after 50 years by Mr. Sam Popham using his philosophy of assisted regeneration of forest species. He gifted the 3 ha Arboretum to the NIFS in 1989 to which the NIFS added the neighbouring 27 ha. The Arboretum serves as a teaching tool for students and for research. Our investigations also extends into alien invasive species in the dry forests to determine their identity and impact on the forest ecosystem.
Ongoing research projects:
Phytosociology of Kandy plateau
Dry forest degradation and restoration
Regeneration potential of exotic tree species in road side landscapes
We are conducting studies on the causes of forest degradation of dry forests in the Hurulu Forest Reserve in the Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa districts and the Nuwaragala Forest Reserve in the Ampara district. This includes phyto-sociological and socio-ecological studies, to identify the anthropogenic causes of forest degradation and measures to be taken for forest restoration.
The NIFS owns a 30 ha Arboretum in Dambulla, which was an abandoned slash and burn land (Sinhala: chena) now restored to a model dry forest after 50 years by Mr. Sam Popham using his philosophy of assisted regeneration of forest species. He gifted the 3 ha Arboretum to the NIFS in 1989 to which the NIFS added the neighbouring 27 ha. The Arboretum serves as a teaching tool for students and for research. Our investigations also extends into alien invasive species in the dry forests to determine their identity and impact on the forest ecosystem.
Ongoing research projects:
Phytosociology of Kandy plateau
Dry forest degradation and restoration
Regeneration potential of exotic tree species in road side landscapes
Serpentine Ecology
Serpentine sites originated millions of years ago when molten magma from the Earth’s upper mantle escaped to the surface through weak tectonic boundaries. The weathering of solidified magma rocks, rich in ferro-magnesium minerals, gave serpentinite soils which are high in Mg and other toxic heavy metals such as Ni, Cd and Fe. Plants, however, have colonized these soils and adapted to survive under the harsh unfriendly soil environment. In Sri Lanka, five serpentine sites were discovered along the Highland and Vijayan suture zones. We are studying the ecology and adaptation of plants on the picturesque serpentinite site on the southern coast in Ussangoda. This site has a characteristic reddish soil, with stunted vegetation to give the appearance of a large flat plain. The Man and Biosphere committee of the National Science of Sri Lanka has initiated setting up a Geo Park in Ussangoda, in collaboration with the Departments of Wildlife Conservation, Archaeology and Forestry. We have contributed to the compiling of a dossier in association with Prof. G.W.A.R. Fernando of the Open University, for submission to the UNESCO for declaration of Ussangoda as an Internationally recognized Geo Park.