Mangroves in Sri Lanka

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.