Attached
The Panama lagoon is located in, Ampara District, on the Eastern coast of Sri Lanka. This
relatively small brackish water lagoon spans over an area of less than 1.5 km2
, but encompasses
variety of habitat types ranging from natural and semi-natural habitats to modified habitats by
humans, thus performing an important ecological role. Biogeographically, Panama lagoon area
falls under floristic regions I and II i.e. Coastal and Marine Belt and Dry and Arid Lowlands.
It further belongs to the bioclimatic region B: Dry Zone.
Field investigations carried out during the period of August to December, 2015 identified 11
major natural and man-made habitat types, including terrestrial, aquatic and semi-aquatic
systems. Natural terrestrial habitats included scrublands, dry mixed evergreen forests, rock
outcrop vegetation, and sand dunes. Anthropogenic terrestrial habitats were predominantly
represented by chena/crop cultivations and home gardens. Natural wetland habitats included
sea shore vegetation, salt marsh, mangrove and lagoon, while paddy fields represented
anthropogenic wetland habitats.
The plant species recorded included 41 trees, 47 shrubs, 92 herbs, 25 climbers including lianas
and epiphytes. Recorded flowering plants included 160 native species (77%) with 2 endemic
species (1%). Due to the high human influences on the environment, numerous alien species
were found in the terrestrial habitats of the lagoon. There were 43 introduced species (exotics)
(20.6%) recorded. Introduced species included 3 invasive alien species and 27 naturalized
exotics. Seven (3.36%) nationally threatened plant species were recorded from the area. It
includes 4 Nationally Endangered (EN) and 3 Nationally Vulnerable (VU) species. The study
site also has 19 Nationally Near-Threatened (NT) species. Rapid faunal assessment undertaken
to cover all habitat types in and around the lagoon recorded a total of 242 faunal species. This
included 23 mammals, 128 birds, 25 reptiles, 7 amphibians, 35 butterfly species and 23
dragonfly species. Out of the total 242 faunal species recorded, 214 were native to the country
(88.4%) while 7 species are listed as endemic (2.9%). There were 14 nationally threatened
faunal species recorded in the study area which included 4 mammals, 6 birds, and 4 insect
species (butterflies and dragonflies). A considerable area of the lagoon complex has been
already subjected to human influences such as agriculture and residential developments,
causing substantial threats to lagoon ecological resources. As Panama lagoon is a rich
repository of native biodiversity, and an important habitat for migrant birds, it is imperative
that the entire system is sustainably managed to achieve a balance between conservation and
utilization
