11/21: Hot Spot Activity

Western Ghats and Sri Lanka (#21)

1. Location of the hotspot and type of ecosystems found there.
1. Location: Western Ghats (Southwestern India), Sri Lanka
2. Type of ecosystems: Lowland rainforest, montane rainforest, monsoon rainforest

2. Describe at least one endemic plant species and one animal species found there.
1. Plant species: Dipterocarpus zeylanicus (tree)
2. Animal species: Latidens salimalii (bat)

3. Describe the socio-economic conditions  (pre-industrial, transitional, industrial, post-industrial).
1. There are many socioeconomic constraints protecting forest reserves in Sri Lanka, such as the Sinharaja, one of which is encroaching cultivation. (Specific information regarding pre-industrial, transitional, industrial, post-industrial conditions could not be found.)

4. Human induced and/or natural reasons why species biodiversity is decreasing in that region.
1. Planters and farmers increasingly use protected forests to cultivate, with agrochemicals.
2. Forest products, such as timber and medicinal plants are being extracted.
3. Animals are poached.
4. Invasive species pose threats to aquatic species.

5. What is being done to protect this hotspot?
1. Approximately 13.8% of the area is under official protection.
2. Western Ghats is protected in 20 national parks and 68 sanctuaries.
3. Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) are being identified; the identification in the Western Ghats started in 2003.
4. Sri Lanka is officially protected by the Forest Department and the Department of Wildlife Conservation.

6. Any interesting information you found about the area.
1. The island of Sri Lanka has been repeatedly connected with India between successive interglacials by a 140 km-wide land bridge until about 7000 years go.