dc.contributor.author |
Fairoz, Mohamed Farook Mohamed |
|
dc.date.accessioned |
2020-02-17T04:44:48Z |
|
dc.date.available |
2020-02-17T04:44:48Z |
|
dc.date.issued |
2006-02 |
|
dc.identifier.citation |
Fairoz, Mohamed Farook Mohamed (2006). IMPACTS OF NATURAL PROCESSES AND ANTHROPOGENIC ACTIVITIES ON TWO FRINGING CORAL REEFS OF SOUTHERN SRI LANKA. MATARA, FACULTY OF FISHERIES AND MARINE SCIENCES AND TECHNOLOGY, UNIVERSITY OF RUHUNA, MATARA, SRI LANKA. |
en_US |
dc.identifier.other |
404398 |
|
dc.identifier.uri |
http://ir.lib.ruh.ac.lk/xmlui/handle/iruor/246 |
|
dc.description.abstract |
Two fringing coral reefs located at Polhena and Weligama subjected to this investigation in
order to detect the possible impacts caused by natural and anthropogenic processes. Weligama
reef lagoon (WRL) is located within a bay and Polhena reef lagoon (PRL) is directly facing
the sea. Biophysical monitoring and socio-economic investigations were carried out to detect
physicochemical parameters of the reef and water, and cover of sessile benthic community
with special reference to reef building corals and anthropogenic activities.
Most dominant coral genera recorded for PRL was Pocillopora sp. and Podobaccia
Crustacea. Dominant coral species at Weligama reef site was Acropora. Remarkably high
percentage of live corals and algae at Weligama and recovery of corals {Acropora) could be
attributed to its geographic location and hydrographic characters viz. significantly higher
depth, which results in less influence by waves, and the recovery of corals also could be due
to less disturbances by anthropogenic activities. Higher percentage of dead corals and coral
rubble and absence of recovering corals at Polhena could be due to anthropogenic activities.
High DO value at Weligama could be due to wave action and high Salinity and significantly
high Turbidity at Polhena could be due to its shallowness and also due to discharges from
Nilwala River. Studies on recruitment of corals and the effect of environmental parameters on
the recruitment reveals that rainfall and variation of turbidity for Polhena have negative effect
on recruitment of coral species Pocillopora damicornicus. Increment of discharge of the
v
Nilwala River could be the reason for this. This could also be a reason for the considerably
large sea grass cover at Polhena. In Weligama, larger sea grass cover could be due to
accumulation of silt and organic matter within the bay area due to its hydrographic status. Results on adverse anthropogenic activities show that the tourists (mainly local) who come to
PRL to swim and for sea bathing cause a major impact to coral recovery by harming the
corals that have newly recruited and also to those which, have already regenerated.
Ornamental fish capture is in operation at PRL and WRL and between two sites, WRL
recorded higher number of collectors. At PRL the damage to the reef by use of destructive
gear is high. Boat anchoring in the deepest lagoon area has damaged the WRL since long
period of time this and this also may have had an effect on the vegetative propagation of
Acropora. Large number of crude oil patches observed at boat landing sites discarded from
the boats. Coral mining at Walgama north and Thalaramba observed high and seasoning of
coconut husks for coir production nearby PRL was still in operation.
Law enforcement and reef resource management is weak for \ both PRL and WRL. A proper
management plan and action on conservation should be implemented in order to rescue these
sites. |
en_US |
dc.description.sponsorship |
This entire research work was funded by Swedish International Development Agency,
Research Cooperation with Developing Countries (Sida/SAREC) under the research grant
awarded to Prof. P.R.T. Cumaranatunga for enhancing capacity to carry out marine research
of Department of Fisheries Biology. |
en_US |
dc.language.iso |
en |
en_US |
dc.publisher |
University of Ruhuna |
en_US |
dc.relation.ispartofseries |
;404398 |
|
dc.subject |
anthropogenic |
en_US |
dc.subject |
coral reefs |
en_US |
dc.subject |
Sri Lanka |
en_US |
dc.title |
IMPACTS OF NATURAL PROCESSES AND ANTHROPOGENIC ACTIVITIES ON TWO FRINGING CORAL REEFS OF SOUTHERN SRI LANKA |
en_US |
dc.type |
Masters Thesis |
en_US |