Tropical forest
Know Little more about sri lankan Tropical Forests
Tropical Forests
Tropical Forest Types
Tropical forests are closed canopy forests growing within 28 degrees north or south of the equator. They are very wet places, receiving more than 200 cm rainfall per year.There are two major types of wet tropical forests: equatorial evergreen rain forests and moist forests,
Evergreen Rain Forests
often considered the “real rain forest,” are characterized by more than 80 inches (2,000 mm) of rain annually spread evenly throughout the year. These forests have the highest biological diversity and have a well-developed canopy “tier” form of vegetation
Moist Forests
Tropical moist forests are found at a greater distance from the equator where rainfall and day length vary seasonally. These forests get “only” 50 inches (1,270 mm) of rain annually and are markedly distinguished from equatorial rain forests by a cooler dry season.
Tropical Forests in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka Rain Forests
The Sri Lanka lowland rain forests represents Sri Lanka‘s Tropical rain forests below 1,000 m (3,281 ft) in elevation in the southwestern part of the island. … Sri Lanka has the highest density of amphibian species worldwide.
Largest Forest
Sinharaja Forest Reserve. Located in south-west Sri Lanka, Sinharaja is the country’s last viable area of primary tropical rain forest. More than 60% of the trees are endemic and many of them are considered rare.
Famous Rain Forests
The three most famous rain forests in Sri Lanka are Peak Wilderness, 250 km2 and the Sinharaja World Heritage Site, 90 km2. The elusive loris, the majestic elephant and fierce eyed leopards are found within these rain forests.
Protecting Forests
Protect Our Forests
Teach others about the importance of the environment and how they can help save rain forests. Restore damaged ecosystems by planting trees on land where forests have been cut down. Encourage people to live in a way that doesn’t hurt the environment.
Protect Sinharaja Forest
To protect the virgin Sinharaja Rain Forest, we have carried out many campaigns to stop encroachment as well as destruction of its streams for mini-hydro projects. Further, we intend to setup a Conservation Center on the way to the main entrance in Kudawa where future conservation work can be carried out effectively.
Protected Forest Areas
There are 32 forests categorized as conservation forests.Strict nature reserves, national parks, nature reserves, forest corridors, and sanctuaries recognized under the Flora and Fauna Protection Ordinance are managed by Department of Wildlife Conservation. Total of all protected areas is 1,767,000 ha.