Evaluation of vertebrate habitats in the Knuckles region
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Date
1998-11-07
Authors
Ranawana, K. B.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Peradeniya
Abstract
The Knuckles range of forests, covering an area of 20,000 hectares, is located
within the Kandy and Matale districts of Sri Lanka. This range is geologically a part of
central massif of the island but isolated from the main mountain mass by the upper middle
part of the Mahaweli river basin known as the Dumbara valley. The mountain range runs
from Laggala-Pallegama in the northwest to Medamahanuwara in the southeast, for a
lengthof 22 miles. The main ridge has many peaks rising over 1000 meters. Some of the
important peaks are Gombaniya-the highest (1952 m) Knuckles (1669 m), Kalupahana
peak (1942 m), Dotalugala (10630 m) and Lakegala (1356 m) situated in the eastern sector
of the Knuckles range. Several streams, both perennial and seasonal originate form this
range of hills and therefore have a high watershed value. Climatically the Knuckles region
is unique in that the entire variety of climatic conditions of the island is reproduced within
'asmall area ranging from the extreme wet to the almost dry. The Knuckles range probably
containsa more diverse set of forest types than any like-sized area elsewhere in Sri Lanka.
TheKnuckles forest range harbors a high diversity of fauna, of which majority are endemic
and relict forms. Fish species such as Puntius srilankensis, P'martenstyn, Garra phillipsi
and Danio aequipinnatus are restricted to the Knuckles range. Of the amphibians present
in this region, the endemic and relict species Nannophrys marmorata is found no where
else in Sri Lanka. Seventeen species of reptiles were recorded from the area, of which 11
were endemic. These include the endemic and relict lizard Ceratophora tennenti found
onlyin the Knuckles region. Fifteen species of endemic birds have been recorded from this
region. Rare mammals found in the knuckles region include the leopard, otter and loris,
which are globally threatened as well. Habitats of these unique faunal types have been
badlyaffected due to agricultural expansion, conversion of lands to plantation crops such as
coffee and tea, shifting cultivation, cardamom cultivation, and illicit felling and gem
mining. In order to determine the wildlife-habitat correlation, habitat use of some selected
vertebratesin the knuckles region was evaluated using a Life-Form model.
Description
Keywords
Knuckles Region , Vertebrate habitats Biological sciences , Biological sciences
Citation
Proceedings & Abstracts of the Annual Research Sessions,1998,University of Peradeniya, peradeniya, Sri Lanka, pp 24