Abstract:
Abstract : Wetlands are comprised of unique components of soil, water and biodiversity
which are interconnected. Although water and biodiversity components of wetlands have
been somewhat investigated, a very few research have been carried out to investigate soil
properties. This study focused on spatial variability of soil chemical and physical parameters
in a land use gradient around the Bellanwila-Attidiya Sanctuary, It was carried out for a
period of 3 months and several random soil samples were obtained from all land use areas.
Selected physical and chemical properties of soil were analyzed according to the standard
methods and the GIS maps were developed using ArcView GIS 3.2.
The results indicated that selected chemical and physical parameters of soil varied across
the land use gradient, except for temperature. According to the GIS maps there are
apparent variations in distribution of soil properties. On the surface, the highest level of
each parameter was found as follows: - NO3 - – industrial area, PO4 3- - functioning paddy
fields, SO4 2- - residential area, Cl- - residential area, Fe3+ - functioning paddy fields,
moisture content - wetland, pH, acidic – industrial area, salinity residential area, electrical
conductivity – residential area. At a 1 m depth, the pattern was different: NO3 - –
abandoned paddy fields, PO4 3- – functioning paddy fields, SO4 2- - wetland, Cl- - wetland,
Fe3+ - residential area, moisture content - wetland, pH – industrial area, salinity - wetland,
electrical conductivity - wetland. The findings clearly exhibit the increases in anthropogenic
pressure have resulted in wide-scale alternation of soil properties, at least in the surface
soil, across a land use gradient. Managing land use in the watershed of the wetland thus
needs adequate attention to conserve this natural ecosystem.
