Floral and Faunal Diversity in Sri Lankan Mangrove Forests: A Systematic Review

Abstract

The paper gives a historical overview, and a summary of key findings from 70 previously published research papers giving scientific data over the years from 1980 to 2019. They concern the flora and/or fauna in the mangrove forests along the Sri Lankan coast, addressing diversity, taxonomy, distribution, and ecological interactions. A total of 28 mangrove floral species from 13 plant families have been reported so far. Similarly, faunal diversity studies have reported 99 invertebrates, dominated by Arthropoda (n = 55) and Mollusca (n = 26), and 214 vertebrates comprising Pisces (n = 112), Aves (n = 72), Reptilia (n = 13) and Amphibia (n = 2). Most studies have been concentrated on the Southwestern coast (nflora = 20, nfauna = 6). Negombo has been a hotspot for mangrove research, with a higher number of studies (nflora = 11, nfauna = 5). The majority of the mangrove studies were focused on mangrove floral diversity and taxonomy and were conducted over recent years (2010–2019). Scientific data on mangrove fauna is restricted to a certain geographical extent. This paper intends to identify the research gaps in the field of Sri Lankan mangroves regarding various aspects and suggests advancement in future studies. Overall, outputs from the present study would be helpful for upcoming researchers to focus more on filling the gaps in knowledge.

Floristic diversity and distribution of biomass carbon: A preliminary study of mangroves in Chilaw lagoon, Sri Lanka

“…Previous studies on the mangrove ecosystems of Sri Lanka have noted a high floristic diversity and abundance (Arulnayagam et al, 2021). True mangroves, as well as mangrove associates are identified from Sri Lanka.…”

“…Sri Lanka's coastline of approximately 1,700 km is home to mangrove forests which are found distributed as highly localized patches, most of which are under threat owing to anthropogenic effects such as overexploitation, prawn farming, pollution, habitat degradation, and climate change (Miththapala, 2008). The total extent of mangrove forests of the island is estimated to be 19,758 ha (Premakantha et al, 2021), and are distributed in all major climatic zones of the island, with about 5,009 ha of mangrove forests found in the dry and arid zones, 430 ha in the wet zone, and 644 ha in the intermediate zone (Arulnayagam et al, 2021). A majority of mangrove forests are found in association with lagoons.…”

“…The previous Red Data List (2012) records 22 species of true mangroves belonging to 12 families (Jayatissa, 2012). However, a more recent review identifies 28 species that belong to 13 families (Arulnayagam et al, 2021). In other sources, the number of species of true mangroves is indicated to range from 17 -25 (Pinto, 1986;Jayasuriya, 1991).…”

Antimicrobial pontential of fungal endophytes obtained from <em>Avicennia Marina</em> and <em>Excoecaria Agallocha</em> in Negombo

“…Mangroves require a specific amplitude (tidal) to survive, hence in Sri Lanka majority of its mangrove species are seen close to lagoons (Chillaw, Negombo, Thondaimanar) and river mouth [7,21]. Despite Sri Lanka harboring several species, A. marina, Rhizophora mucornata, E. agallocha, Bruguiera gymnorhiza are some of the widely available species.…”

Characterization of Bioactive Actinomycetes Isolated from Kadolkele Mangrove Sediments, Sri Lanka

“…Sri Lankan mangrove systems are interspersed along the coastline of the country and are estimated to cover an area of more than 15,000 ha ( Edirisinghe et al 2012 ; Arulnayagam et al 2021 ). Although Sri Lankan mangroves have been extensively studied for their faunal and floral diversity ( IUCN 2010 ; Amarasinghe and Perera 2017 ; Arulnayagam et al 2021 ; Fernando et al 2022 ), mangrove sediment microbiology is a relatively new field in Sri Lanka and a largely untapped area for the isolation of new microorganisms that can produce new active secondary metabolites. In the present study, six cultivable actinomycetes isolated from Kadolkele mangrove sediments associated with the Negombo lagoon, Sri Lanka, have been characterized using their phenotypic and genotypic characteristics.…”