Abstract:
Sri Lanka is relatively a small island in size with only 65,610 km2
of land and its
Physical Geography is highly varied, resulting in a unique and very significant
diversity in faunal and floral species. Vegetation analyses have recognized fifteen
different floristic regions (Figure-1) within the country (Aston and Gunathilleke,
1987) having 3360 plants species belonging to 1070 genera and 180 families (Peeris,
1975). A remarkable feature in floristic diversity seen in Sri Lanka is that, 90% of its
endemic species are confined to the rain forests found in the west zone, having a land
area of 15000km2
. It is a reflection of the island's separation from the Indian
subcontinent.
Although, the south western part of the island represents a significant diversity in
flora, a large proportion is also found in that region in wet zone of the island. Thus,
human activities altered the areas covered by forests since historic periods
through their multiple activities, include agriculture, livestock, industry, living space
and recreation etc. The human activities and practices undertaken in converting
natural forests exert a definite impact on the fragmentation of large forest areas and it
has been decreased significantly in last few decades. Transformation into secondary
forests and isolated plots duly has raised an adverse impact on the floristic richness in
the island to a grater degree. Especially the extensive deforestation in the wet zone
has put most of endemic species top in the extinction list.
Therefore, an assessment floristic diversity and analysis of vegetation of these
isolated forests found in the wet zone has been identified as a fact of great importance
and a needy investigation. Exploration of Salgala forest reserve, which is in fact an
isolated floristic patch, would be of great help to disclose the phytosociological
information and phytogeographical distribution, which were never been explored and
made known so far. The richness of information and understanding of a particular
ecosystem helps to extend innovative and environmental friendly planning and
development strategies.
