Research project-01 -Distribution Pattern and Abundance of Reptiles in an Urban Forest in the Central Hills of Sri Lanka.

"Udawattha Kele Sanctuary,is situated in Kandy, Sri Lanka. It is a secondary Urban forest, declared a sanctuary in 1938 and vested with the Forest Department. This forest ecosystem is known to harbor a rich reptile fauna. The present study was carried out to inventory the species and to understand their distribution patterns and Abundance. Sampling began in September 2011 and continued to December 2011. Forty randomly located 10×10m plots were sampled in undisturbed upper (Epipremnum aureum absent), undisturbed lower (Epipremnum aureum present), naturally disturbed (eroded) and an abandoned single species Mesua ferrea plantation equally and the wet litter mass (kg), litter depth (cm), percentage canopy and ground cover, number of fallen logs/plot, soil pH, soil moisture, soil temperature, atmospheric temperature and number of individuals/m2 were recorded. 

Twenty one species of terrestrial and arboreal reptiles were recorded in plots, including 13 species of snakes, three gekkonids, three scincids and two agamids of which 57% were endemic to Sri Lanka.Species distribution and habitat were positively correlated with the terrestrial and arboreal abundance of reptiles. Twenty species of reptiles were observed at undisturbed sites, while disturbed sites supported five species and only two species were present in plantation sites. The highest diversity of 2.637(H’-Shannon), species richness of 4.963(DMg –Margalef) and abundance of 0.51/m2 were observed at undisturbed lower sites. Assemblage composition was high in those sites compared to disturbed and M.ferrea plantation sites. Soil moisture, wet litter mass, litter depth, number of fallen logs/plot, canopy cover and ground cover were significantly positive (P<0.001) predictors of presence of reptiles and their diversity, richness and abundance. 

In contrast, the M.ferrea plantation had the lowest diversity of 0.376(H’-Shannon), species richness of 0.480(DMg –Margalef) and abundance of 0.08/m2 among the sites. So, there is an adverse effect on reptile faunal diversity and its abundance by large areas of single-species plantations in UdawatthaKele Sanctuary. Natural disturbances such as erosion also have a negative impact on its reptile diversity of 1.465(H’-Shannon), richness of 1.82 (DMg –Margalef) and abundance of 0.09/m2 compared to undisturbed sites. Furthermore,increasing populations of Sus scrofa affinis and Macaca sinica has became a potential threat for their abundance. The importance of maintaining the urban forest ecosystem and its biodiversity to conserve and to preserve the reptile fauna in this urban forest is highlighted. "

                           FWCRE member  Jaliya Roshan, young naturalist from Ranabima Royal Collage ,Kandy measuring the temperature

   on the site

 Magnificent Hump nose lizard which is Endemic to Sri Lanka

                                                                   Green Pit Viper


Publication Link 01-

Distribution Pattern and Abundance of Reptiles in an Urban Forest in the Central Hills of Sri Lanka

Publication Link 02-
Conservation of Reptile fauna of an Urban forest in Central hills

We would like to acknowledge and extend  our  heartfelt gratitude to Dr.Madhava Meegaskumbura ,Dr.sudharma Yatigammana & Prof.K.B Ranawana.we also thank  Mr.Thilina De Silva ,Mrs.Buddika Perera ,Mr.Damian Ramond,Mr.Madupa Hewapathiranage,Mr.Charuka Watthegedara,Technical staff officers of the department of zoology of University of Peradeniya and the Forest department officers of Udawatthakele for thier contribution.