sri Lanka The tropical island of Sri Lanka is known somewhat as a biodiversity hotspot. An impressively high species count within such a limited area undisputedly makes it one of the most ecologically significant places on earth. A look at the island's frog population soon clarifies any doubts one may have on the subject. Despite only covering 0.013% of the worlds land surface the island is home to more than 2% of the world's frog and toad species. Additionally 27% of Sri Lanka's plants and 22% of its amphibians, birds, mammals and reptiles are endemic, meaning they can be found nowhere else in the world. The protection of such species is essential in safeguarding their future existence and protecting Sri Lanka's natural heritage. Worryingly an increased demand for tea and crop plantations as well as a long standing civil war has seen the clearance of a significant portion of Sri Lanka's forests, with a devastating effect on the biodiversity levels of the island. Such high levels of biodiversity can be directly attributed to a variation in climate, rainfall and topography experienced across the island. From this, Sri Lanka can essentially be divided into four climatic zones; Dry, Wet, Intermediate, and Arid. Each zone embodies a distinctive set of characteristics and plays host to varying types of forest habitat that support some of the world's most endangered wildlife.  |
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