Diversity and the Current Status of Coral Reefs in Eastern Coast of Sri Lanka
No Thumbnail Available
Date
2020
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka
Abstract
Coral reefs are highly diverse ecosystems and biodiversity hotspots in the world
consisting also of Sri Lankan continental shelf. However, coral reef ecosystems have been
changing for the last decades due to natural and human impacts. Therefore, it is important
to monitor their current status for conservation and management purposes. Thus,
Kayankerni, Passikudah, Pigeon island, Adukkuparu, and Parrot rock reefs which
considered major reefs on the Eastern coast of Sri Lanka were surveyed in the final
quarter of 2019 by using line intercept transect method. Data were taken by snorkeling or
diving over 30 x 50 m transects per site. Threats were quantified by visual observations,
water quality analysis, and questionnaire surveying. Live corals at each site were 38%,
21, 59, 12 and 70% respectively. A total of 104 species that belong to 19 coral families
were recorded from the Eastern coast while family Acroporidae and Faviidae were
dominating. Biodiversity and species richness were highest in Parrot rock reef and lowest
in Adukkuparu reef. Massive hard corals which belong to family Poritidae and Muscidae,
as well as soft coral family Alcyonidae, were dominated in the Parrot rock reef. The
highest percentage of dead coral was in Passikudah reef (79%) and Adukkuparu reef
(88%) due to excessive pollution, sedimentation, destructive fishing practices, and
overgrowth of Halimeda sp. Pigeon Island, Kayankerni, and Parrot rock reefs are also in
danger due to destructive fishing, tourism, and invasive species Acanthaster planci.
Marine ornamental fish trade, dynamite fishing, and tourism activities were the identified
major human threats for coral reefs in the Eastern coast. Therefore, it is highly
recommended that Parrot rock and Kayankerni reefs should be declared as marine
national parks, and coral restoration initiatives have to be taken for all the reefs. These
reef ecosystems must be regulated from adverse human activities for long term
conservation and management.
Keywords: Coral Reef Ecosystems, Eastern Coast, Conservation, Pollution
Description
Keywords
Environmental Science, Ecology, Biodiversity – Sri Lanka, Biology