INVASIVE MICRO FLORA AND FAUNA IN MAHAVELIWILDLIFE REGION
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31357/fesympo.v0i0.1635Abstract
Invasive flora and fauna have been reported to spread rapidly threatening the biodiversity andeconomic value of natural and agricultural ecosystems in Sri Lanka, Mahaweli Wildlife Regionthat covers about 200,000 ha of land (protected areas as national parks, nature reserves andsanctuaries) in the dry zone has alsc affected by these flora and fauna, A preliminary survey wasconducted in Maduruoya, Minneriya, Wasgomuwa, Flood plain and Somawathiya nationalparks, Riverine and Minneriya/Girithale nature reserves and Polonnaruwa sanctuary to identifythe commonly listed invasive macro flora and fauna by the World Conservation Union (IUCN),Sri Lanka and their distribution in the region through field observation and personalcommunication,
The results revealed that there WGIC 6 species of fauna (Tank fish-Hypostomus plecostomus,Thilapia-Sarotherodon mossambicus, Gient African snail-Achatinafulica, House rat-Ratus ratusand Feral buffalo-Buba/us bubalus, Snake skin gouramy - Trichogaster pactoralis ,Trichogaster pectotalis) and 8 species of flora (Water hyasinth-Eichornia crassipes, Salvinia-Salvinia mo/esta, Prickly lantana-Lantana camara, Podisinghornarang-Eupatorium odoratum,Mimosa invisa, Ipil Ipil-Leucaenec1 leucocephala, Hydrilla-Hydrilla verticil/ata and Illuk-Imperata cylindrica) out of 43 species of exotic invasive biota listed by the IUCN, Sri Lanka,The Tank fish out of 6 fauna species recorded in the study has not been recorded previously inthis region, It was also found that one plant species, commonly called as Agada(Xanthiumindicum) which is not in the IUeN list, were appeared to be major threats in this aspect in theregion. It was also observed that several invasive plant species had positive impacts on somefaunal groups such as insects, amphibians reptiles and birds
This paper discusses the common invasive species and their impact on the biodiversity andeconomic value and legal issues and offer suggestions for further research in the region forsound wildlife management
