http://dr.lib.sjp.ac.lk/handle/123456789/10714 Wed, 07 Jan 2026 06:14:14 GMT 2026-01-07T06:14:14Z http://dr.lib.sjp.ac.lk/handle/123456789/10814 Impacts of Woody Invader Dillenia suffruticosa (Griff.) Martelli on Physio-chemical Properties of Soil and, Below and Above Ground Flora Wickramathilake, B.A.K.; Weerasinghe, T.K.; Ranwala, S.M.W. Dillenia suffruticosa (Griffith) Martelli, that spreads fast in low-lying areas in wet zone of Sri Lanka is currently listed as a nationally important Invasive Alien Species that deserves attention in ecological studies. Thus, impact of this woody invader on physical, chemical properties of soil and below and above ground flora was investigated. Five sampling sites were identified along a distance of 46km from Avissawella to Ratnapura. At each site, two adjacent plots [1m x10m each for D. suffruticosa present (D+) and absent (D-)] were outlined. Physical and chemical soil parameters, microbial biomass and number of bacterial colonies in soil were determined using standard procedures and compared between D+ and D- by ANOVA using SPSS. Rate of decomposition of D. suffruticosa leaves was also determined using the litter bag technique at 35% and 50% moisture levels. Above ground plant species richness in sample stands was compared using Jaccard and Sorenson diversity indices. Decomposition of D. suffruticosa leaves was slow, but occurred at a more or less similar rate irrespective of moisture content of soil. Particle size distribution in D+ soil showed a much higher percentage of large soil particles. Higher % porosity in D+ sites was a clear indication that the soil was aerated. The pH was significantly lower for D+ than D- thus developing acidic soils whereas conductivity has been significantly high making soil further stressed. The significant drop in Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC) in D+ soil was a remarkable finding to be concerned with as it correlated with fertility of soil. Significantly higher values of phosphates reported in D+ soil support the idea that plant invaders are capable to increase phosphates in soil. Higher biomass values recorded for D+ sites together with higher number of bacterial colonies could be related to the unexpectedly recorded higher Organic Carbon. Both the Jaccard and Sorenson indices indicated that D+ and D- sites were dissimilar with respect to above ground plant species richness. Thus, changes in above ground vegetation and soil properties due to the invasion were identified and further studies are needed for determining the degree of soil deterioration due to the invasive behavior of D. suffruticosa. Tue, 01 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT http://dr.lib.sjp.ac.lk/handle/123456789/10814 2013-01-01T00:00:00Z http://dr.lib.sjp.ac.lk/handle/123456789/10796 Wild Ungulate Distribution in the Naban River Watershed National Nature Reserve, Southwest China Treydte, A. C.; Trumpf, P.; Langenberger, G. Southeast Asia´s tropical forests harbour a unique diversity of wildlife but species and numbers are rapidly declining under current land use. To improve conservation strategies in these biodiversity hotspots, knowledge of animal species present and their distribution is crucial. We wanted to identify the ungulate community composition and distribution of a ‘Man and Biosphere’ reserve, the Naban River Watershed National Nature Reserve (NRWNNR), Yunnan, Southwest China. Using camera traps, transects, and spoor-plots we identified wild ungulate species and corresponding habitat properties. We compared two study sites of different protection status – the buffer and experimental zones – on an overall transect length of 32 km and analysed relationships between wildlife activity, forest vegetation structure, and human disturbance. We documented six ungulate species, all of which occurred in the buffer zone while only three species were found in the experimental zone. Wild boar sign density was about 10 times higher in the buffer than in the experimental zone. Overall wildlife sign density increased with distance away from human settlements and closer to the core zone. Hence, human disturbance strongly influenced wild ungulate abundance but the NRWNNR was found to host a diverse ungulate community, considering its small size and compared to other conservation areas in the region. The combination of various methods proved to be successful in identifying and locating forest wildlife. The NRWNNR, particularly the more strongly protected zones, could greatly contribute to future ecotourism activities in Yunnan if a strict preservation of buffer and core zones can be maintained. Tue, 01 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT http://dr.lib.sjp.ac.lk/handle/123456789/10796 2013-01-01T00:00:00Z http://dr.lib.sjp.ac.lk/handle/123456789/10789 The Current Status of the Tiger Beetle Species of the Coastal Habitats of Sri Lanka Dangalle, C. D. The species of tiger beetles inhabiting coastal habitats of Sri Lanka have not been studied for nearly three decades. We report the tiger beetle species currently occupying the coastal habitats of the island, their distribution, microhabitats and habitat preferences. Species and distributions reported nearly three decades from similar previous studies are also recorded. Southern, North-Western and Western coastal belts (n=22) of Sri Lanka were investigated for the presence of tiger beetles. Three species, Hypaetha biramosa, Lophyra (Lophyra) catena, Myriochila (Monelica) fastidiosa, were recorded from eleven locations. M. (Monelica) fastidiosa was reported for the first time, in a single location of the Southern coastal belt. Habitat parameters of the locations and the length of the body and mandible between H. biramosa and L. (Lophyra) catena, were statistically compared to determine specific habitat preferences of the two species. Analysis of Variance using Minitab 16.0 revealed that H. biramosa occupy habitats with high solar radiation (438-1023 w/m2) and soil salinity (0.0-0.1ppt) while L. (Lophyra) catena occupy habitats with low solar radiation (132-402) and non-saline soils (0.0 ppt). Similar length of mandibles of these two species indicated that habitat selection of the species was not based on prey utilization, but may depend on the intensity of solar radiation and the level of soil salinity of the locations. Tue, 01 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT http://dr.lib.sjp.ac.lk/handle/123456789/10789 2013-01-01T00:00:00Z http://dr.lib.sjp.ac.lk/handle/123456789/10779 Structural Changes are More Important than Compositional Changes in Driving Biomass Loss in Ugandan Forest Fragments Bulafu, C.; Barang, D.; Eycott, A. E. Aboveground biomass (AGB) contained in privately-owned forests is less frequently measured than in forest reserves despite their greater likelihood of degradation. We demonstrate how density changes in contrast to species compositional changes have driven AGB changes in privately-owned fragments in Uganda over two decades. Data on tree assemblages in fragments were obtained by re-sampling a 1990 dataset in 2010 and AGB estimated using generalised allometric equation that incorporates diameter at breast height (DBH) and species-specific wood density. AGB were highly variable between fragments and over time. Structural changes contributed a higher proportion of change in AGB than species compositional changes in all forests. Non-pioneer species constituted over 50% of AGB in reserve forest, in contrast to private forests where pioneer species dominated. Our study demonstrates the potential of private forests to hold comparable AGB to plantation. Reduction in exploitation pressure is required if fragments are to mitigate carbon emissions. Tue, 01 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT http://dr.lib.sjp.ac.lk/handle/123456789/10779 2013-01-01T00:00:00Z