National Red List calls for community-based conservation action

By Dhaneshi Yatawara

One in every two species of fresh water fish, amphibians, reptiles and mammals are currently facing the risk of becoming extinct in wild. This is according to the newly released National Red List of Sri Lanka 2012. And that is not all. One in every five species of birds in the country is facing the same risk of becoming extinct in the wild.

Alphonsea hortensis believed to be found only in ex-situ conservation

Piniberaliya (Doona ovalifolia) believed to be found only in ex-situ conservation

Try to imagine a stream in the wilderness without fish, no more frog calls before rain and your morning without birds and many 'no more' factors in your surroundings. That is what is your future is going to be like.

Sri Lanka owns unique eco -systems in the region as well as the world providing habitats for dense bio diversity. The Southwestern region of Sri Lanka is the only seasonal ever wet region in the whole South Asia.

In this unique region it is found that the highest number of threatened species among vertebrates has been recorded among reptiles followed by amphibians, birds, mammals and fresh water fish, as per the 2012 National red list.

On plants, according to the National Red list 2012, the highest number of threatened species are found in the wet zone districts such as Kandy, Ratnapura, Nuwara Eliya, Badulla, Galle and Kalutara.

These districts houses a large number of flowering plants and trees of the country. According to the data collected for the National Red list almost 60 percent of the endemic plant species found in Ratnapura, Kandy, Kilinochchi, Galle, Nuwara Eliya, Kaluthara, Kegalle and Matara districts are threatened.

According to Director General of the Department of Botanic Gardens, Peradeniya Dr. Siril Wijesundara, Sri Lanka has a total of 3,154 species of flowering plants out of which 894 are endemic. Of the endemic flowering plant species more than 66 percent are threatened, according to Wijesundara. "We believe that nearly species are considered to be extinct - namely a type of 'nelu' plant (Strobilanthes caudata), Blumea angustifolia, Crudia zeylanica, Rinorea bengalensis and Rinorea decora," Dr. Wijesundara explained. According to him 177 species (including 72 endemic species) have not been seen in this century meaning that those species may possibly be extinct too.

" Alphonsea hortensis and pini beraliya (Doona ovalifolia) are believed to be found only in cultivation at Botanic Gardens (extinct in the wild)," he added.

And among the Gymnosperms, commonly known as seed plants like cycas, Sri Lanka has only two species. I.e - madu (Cycas nathorstii) and maha madu (Cycas zeylanica). Maha madu is Critically Endangered.

According to the analysis done for the red list by a group of botanists from the Peradeniya National Botanic Gardens and Colombo University, threats to flowering plants may range from direct causes such as habitat loss to indirect factors such as unavailability of pollinators or dispersal agents. Pollinators are not another job given for humans. They are the key factor in nature for a successful harvest in agriculture, decorative ornamental plants in floriculture and many other trades that humans earn a livelihood including tourism.

The major players among natural pollinators would be the humble honey bee and its Sri Lankan relatives and beautiful butterflies. According to the analysis done based on observations and research done by zoologists from University of Peradeniya, encroachment of exotic invasive tall grass species in to scrub lands and agricultural lands can be considered a serious threat to bees as these lands provide habitat for a large number of bee species. "The disappearance of suitable habitats and larval food plants in all climatic zones reason out the decreasing number of butterfly population, particularly those show seasonal mass movement," says George Van der Poorten in his article on 'the Taxonomy and Conservation status of the Butterflies in Sri Lanka' published in the 2012 National Red list. And, accordingly, the most significant threat to the butterfly fauna of Sri Lanka is the disappearance and loss of forest habitats, grasslands and coastal habitats due to human activities. In the wet zone the greatest concern is increasing illegal human encroachments.

In addition to this according to the analysis done by expert zoologist Professor Devaka Weerakoon of the University of Colombo among the selected groups of inland invertebrates for the National Red List 2012 the highest number of threatened species were from the land snails and our bees and butterflies comes second. Among our fresh water crabs, one in every two species in our country is currently facing an immediate and extremely high risk of extinction in the wild.

The National Red List has expanded their scope further this year by adding the less explored world of ferns and lichens.

Ferns and Lichens, collectively are known in the botany field at Pteridophytes. Ferns are a plant category that carries tales of earth evolution with its beautiful green shades. Lichens exhibit an unusual never boring co habitation niche for survival. According to DR. R. H. G. Ranil of the University of Peradeniya, who does extensive research of ferns and lichens, out of the 336 native fern species 60 percent are threatened.

"In 2006 myself and a group of botanists did a small survey in 'Udawattha Kele' forest on ferns. Out of the 29 species we recorded few years earlier we were able to record only nine species in 2006 study," Dr. Ranil said explaining the severe threat faced by ferns in Sri Lankan wilderness.

"Recorded around 340 taxonomic groups from Sri Lanka of which 50 types are considered as endemic to the island. So in comparison with our neighbouring countries we having quite an exceptionally high level of diversity and endemism," he said.

Sri Lankan botanists need to explore more of the Sri Lankan fern specimens kept in 34 herbariums around the world, according to Dr. Ranil.

"Assessment of the conservation status of species is a continuing process," said Dr. Siril Wijesundara, Director General of Department of Botanic Gardens further explaining the importance of knowing our rich bio-diversity.

He highlights the need of the responsibility of the Red-listing process being within a government institute. "It is quite important especially to agro-biodiversity to know the vast range of variation among plant species deep in to the molecular levels. This would one day be an advantage especially to agriculture sector," he added. "Awareness needs to be created among relevant line agencies so that they would integrate the results of the Red list into their ongoing activities. It is needed to develop conservation models such as community-based conservation actions where local communities and civil society can play a major role in conserving species outside Protected Areas," he said.

These actions are necessary to ensure long term conservation of Sri Lanka's biodiversity.

The future of the species diversity of Sri Lanka lies in gathering solid scientific baseline data, analysing these data using the best possible methods, identifying gaps and priorities based on these scientific foundations.

Conservation action plans need to be designed from the information gathered. As Dr. Wijesundara further said, it is essential that these efforts are buttressed by conservation education that creates awareness not only about the threats facing species and their current status, but also about the role each stakeholder can play in the conservation of Sri Lanka's flora and fauna.

"A day should come in the future where the potato farmers and floriculturists or any other industrialist would step in to preserve and protect the nature in their own will," he said.