Oligodon arnensis with a fungal infection
Under the treatments
Getting better after the treatments
Friday, January 30, 2015
Some of the Rescue ,Treat and Release work from 2014
Conducting a Reptile corner at IDEA EXPO 2014 Science Exhibition
Educating the general Public and school children on Reptiles and the value of Conserving them for the ecosystem stability.
During Conference Presentations :)
2012-2013
17th International Forestry and Environmental Symposium,2012 Sri Lanka
Conference on Herpetologycal Conservation and Biology,2012 Sri lanka
STUDENT CONFERENCE ON CONSERVATION SCIENCE 2013- BANGALORE
Thursday, January 29, 2015
Project - 03 Effects of Urbanization on spatial distribution,threats and conservation of freshwater fishes,freshwater molluscs and Odonates in Mahaoya,Sri Lanka
April 2013
The Maha Oya is one of Sri Lanka’s largest perennial rivers providing invaluable ecosystem services during its 130 kilometer journey from Nawalapitiya through Aranayake to reach the Indian Ocean at Kochchikade. It supports a diverse range of ecosystems that include riverine, coastal and estuarine environments.
Maha Oya is seriously threatened due to various human activities. Sand and clay mining and industrial pollution are leading causes of degradation and the river and its fragile ecosystems are severely affected. Unregulated sand mining destabilizes the environment. Why? Because when sand is extracted from the river faster than the natural rates of replenishment, it becomes unsustainable for the dependent ecosystems. This is the reason why sand mining on rivers has been banned altogether in some places.
During this project we ,group of Undergraduate students ,Studied the effects of urbanization on it's associated Fauna Both vertebrates and invertebrates which are sensitive to Environmental changes,along with an Urbanization gradient.
we were able to identify 32 species of fishes,30 speceis of Odonates and Five species of Freshwater Molluscs.There was a significant reduction of the species diverity and abundance along the urbanization gradient.and it was signified by highly varied physical and chemical parameters, which are Total dissolved solids,Conductivity,dissolved oxygen,Nitrate,Phosphate and CaCO3 levels.
The Maha Oya is one of Sri Lanka’s largest perennial rivers providing invaluable ecosystem services during its 130 kilometer journey from Nawalapitiya through Aranayake to reach the Indian Ocean at Kochchikade. It supports a diverse range of ecosystems that include riverine, coastal and estuarine environments.
Maha Oya is seriously threatened due to various human activities. Sand and clay mining and industrial pollution are leading causes of degradation and the river and its fragile ecosystems are severely affected. Unregulated sand mining destabilizes the environment. Why? Because when sand is extracted from the river faster than the natural rates of replenishment, it becomes unsustainable for the dependent ecosystems. This is the reason why sand mining on rivers has been banned altogether in some places.
During this project we ,group of Undergraduate students ,Studied the effects of urbanization on it's associated Fauna Both vertebrates and invertebrates which are sensitive to Environmental changes,along with an Urbanization gradient.
we were able to identify 32 species of fishes,30 speceis of Odonates and Five species of Freshwater Molluscs.There was a significant reduction of the species diverity and abundance along the urbanization gradient.and it was signified by highly varied physical and chemical parameters, which are Total dissolved solids,Conductivity,dissolved oxygen,Nitrate,Phosphate and CaCO3 levels.
Our team with helpful village kids at Rambukkana station
Flying Barb
Banded Mountain Loach
Crimson Dropwing
Indigo Dropwing
Yellow waxtail Mating
Oriental Scarlet
Publication link 01 - Effects of Urbanization on spatial distribution,threats and conservation of freshwater fishes in Mahaoya,Sri Lanka
Publication Link 02 - Pollution Driven by Urbanization, Pressures the Odonate distribution in Maha oya, Sri Lanka
Publication Link 02 - Pollution Driven by Urbanization, Pressures the Odonate distribution in Maha oya, Sri Lanka
Herping Nights...
2013 May
In search of endemic and endangered Amphibians and Reptiles ,To highlight the conservation value of an unprotected,severally fragmented (Due to Agriculture) forest in hill country ,SeethaEliya,Nuwaraeliya.
Some of the Rare Endangered species,
Pygmy Lizard (Cophotis ceylanica) Endangered
In search of endemic and endangered Amphibians and Reptiles ,To highlight the conservation value of an unprotected,severally fragmented (Due to Agriculture) forest in hill country ,SeethaEliya,Nuwaraeliya.
From left Suraga Hewapathige,Gayan Aththanayka,Samith Maduranga,Me(Santhushya),Cameera Hewapathige.
Some of the Rare Endangered species,
Pseudophilautus schmarda (Endangered)
Pseudophilautus femoralis (Endangered)
Rhino-horned lizard (Ceratophora stoddartii) Endangered
Black-cheek Lizard (Calotes nigrilabris) Endangered
Project 02- Land and Freshwater Molluscs in Two Wetzone Forests, Sri Lanka
2013 March
This was a Preliminary study done by Santhushya Hewapathiranage ,in order to determine the diversity , Conservation status and the value of Molluscan fauna in two wet zone forests regarding the conservation of the habitats from invasions and fragmentation acts.
Publication link -
LAND AND FRESHWATER MOLLUSCS IN TWO WET ZONE FOREST RESERVES, SRI LANKA
Publication link -
LAND AND FRESHWATER MOLLUSCS IN TWO WET ZONE FOREST RESERVES, SRI LANKA
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)