Mangrove areas in Sri Lanka can be categorized broadly into two groups, fringe and riverine mangroves. Fringe mangroves occupy the intertidal areas along the coast of the mainland and in the islands, while riverine mangroves exist in the estuaries and along the riverbanks. Mangroves occur along the mainland shoreline towards more saline upper inter-tidal areas.
Well developed mangroves generally reach up to 10m-15m, while some species such as Rhizophora mucronata and Sonneratia alba may grow beyond that height. In mature stands, the stratification is limited almost to a single layer of true mangrove tree species that form a dense canopy, for example of Rhizophora mucronata and Bruguiera cylindrica.
Benefit of a Mangrove Ecosystem
• It is a habitat for coastal forms of life
• Provide an environment suitable for the breeding and growth of many forms of aquatic life due to the root system adapted to water
• Protect lagoons and estuaries against erosion by being a windbreak and stabilizer of soil
• Serve as a protective barrier against natural disasters (Tsunami, floods and cyclones)
• Provide firewood and medicine useful for human
• Enhance the aesthetic beauty
Recorded Mangrove Species
 |
| Cynometra iripa |
True Mangroves
Avicennia officinalis
Rhizophora apiculata
Rhizophora mucronata
Sonneratia alba
Avicennia marina
Lumnitzera racemosa
Aegiceras corniculatum
Bruguiera gymnorrhiza
Ceriops tagal
Xylocarpus granatum
Bruguiera cylindrical
Exoecaria agallocha
 |
| Sonneratia alba |
Associate Mangrove
Heritiera littoralis
Acanthus ilicifolius
Acrostichum aureum
Clerodendron inerme
Hibiscus tiliaceus
Dolichandrone spathacea
Allophylus cobbe
Caesalpinia bonduc
Derris tritoliata
Premna latifolia
Pandanas tectorius
Barringtonia asiatica
Calophyllum inophyllum
Scaevola taccada
Thespesia populnea
 |
| Pemphis acidula |
Terminalia catappa
Cynometra iripa
Scyphiphora hydrophyllacea
Pemphis acidula
Threat to the mangrove forests
Mangroves are valuable ecosystem which is now facing the threat of rapid destruction for development activities. The main causes of the destruction of mangroves are the following.
• Shrimp and salt industries that are not properly managed.
• Due to increase in population, mangroves are cleared for the construction of houses.
• Use of mangroves as fuel wood.
• Use of mangroves as a source of timber for housing.
• Tourist hotel industry.
