BIODIVERSITY OF THE BUNDALA NATIONAL PARK AND RAMSAR WETLAND

Abstract

The Bundala National Park (6216 ha) is located in the Hambantota District, within the SoutheasternArid Zone of Sri Lanka. T:lC park consists mainly of dry thorny scrubland and lagoons;Koholankala (390 ha), Malala (6511 ha), Embilikala (430 ha) and Bundala (520 ha). Theseshallow water lagoons form a complex wetland system that harbours a rich bird life, includingseveral species of migratory waterfowl. Bundala is Sri Lanka's first Ramsar wetland-a wetlandof international importance especially for migratory waterfowl. Recent studies have indicatedthat the Bundala National Park and its wetlands are being degraded by various adverse factors,Therefore, this survey was intended to document the present status of biodiversity in thisprotected area, and the threats it faces today. The systematic survey on biodiversity extendedfrom January to April 2001, during which the area was visited at fortnightly intervals, The faunaand flora were surveyed using scientifically valid inventorying techniques. The survey enabledto document 7 major terrestrial vege.ation/habitat types (dry thorny scrubland, Arid zone forests,sand dune vegetation, gentle sea shore vegetation, Arid zone maritime grasslands/pastures,Riverine forest, anomalous Mesquite (Prosopis) scrublands and 6 wetland types (saltmarsh,mangrove, brackish water lagoons, sandy and rocky sea shore, seasonal water holes and tanks,saltern) in Bundala. A total of j83 plant species have been documented from the abovevegetation and habitat types in Bundala, These include 6 endemics and 7 species that areconsidered as nationally threatened. Shrubs and herbs (plants with leaves and non-woody stems)are the predominant plant life forms of Bundala. A total of 324 species of vertebrates have beenrecorded from Bundala National Park, of which 11 species are endemic, while 29 species arenationally threatened. Among the invertebrates are 52 species of colourful butterflies.

At present, the biodiversity of Bundala National Park is facing several threats, which could besummarised under habitat deterioration and degradation (i.e., Shell mining, driving of vehiclesoff the recommended tracks, discharge of irrigation water in to lagoons, release of sludge intothe Bundala lagoon), direct exploitation of species (poaching, felling of trees, road kills), spreadof invasive alien species (4 animal species and 15 plant species), prolonged drought, andunplanned land-use practices. It is envisaged that these findings would contribute to theconservation and management of this globally important PA