Undergraduate Research Symposium on Environmental Conservation and Management (URS-ENCM)
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Item Addressing climate change in Sri Lanka in light of the Human Rights Law: legal analysis(Department of Zoology and Environmental Management, University of Kelaniya, 2015) Fernando, N.; Bogahawatte, I.Item Alternative pot material for budded fruit plant production(Department of Zoology and Environmental Management, University of Kelaniya, 2015) Baddegama, S.T.; Wijesundera, B.L.D.L.D.; Harshani, D.Item Analysis of existing municipal solid waste management practices: A case study in Kelaniya Pradeshiya Sabha area(Department of Zoology and Environmental Management, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2017) Senanayake, M.W.P.N.S.; Sewwandi, M.K.V.N.; Showmika, R.; Thilini, P.G.I.; Ubhayawardhana, W.S.M.T.; Yatawara, M.D.M.D.W.M.M.K.A significant amount of solid waste has become a pressing issue with rising population, urbanization, economic activities and consumerism, especially in urban and sub-urban areas creating negative impacts on both environment and human health. Lack of infrastructure and financial resources, poor public participation in waste management process and less enthusiasm of government representatives have also been contributed to complicate the situation. Personal experience and literature revealed that existing SWM systems established in most local authorities are not properly functioned. Therefore, significant gaps are visible in solid waste management process in different local authorities. The present study was planned to explore municipal solid waste management system in Kelaniya Pradeshiya Sabha (KPS), as a key area in Gampaha district to identify best practices and gaps. Data were collected through interviews and questionnaire survey from three categories (officers in KPS, sanitary employees in KPS and general public in KPS area). Descriptive statistics were used to analyse data. Results revealed that waste reduction and capacity building were priority areas in KPS. Though the institutional capacity has been developed to certain extent in KPS, further attention is needed to overcome existing issues. Implementing new policies is further suggested to overcome some existing obstacles. However, the outcome of the study is a framework developed for best practices of solid waste management which can be used at local authorities for effective and efficient municipal solid waste management.Item Application of Green Belt concept in Sri Lanka: lessons from South Korea, Kenya and England(Department of Zoology and Environmental Management, University of Kelaniya, 2015) Perera, G.A.S.Item Are human-modified land-uses important for avifaunal conservation or not? An example from Karanketiya, Rakwana, Sri Lanka(Department of Zoology and Environmental Management, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2017) Weerasinghe, H.W.G.A.S.; Panagoda, P.A.B.G.; Panagoda, P.A.S.U.Improving conservation value of human-altered landscapes would be of massive importance, in years to come. The present study intended to assess the contribution of such landscapes in aid of conservation of avifauna. Abundance, species richness, species heterogeneity, evenness and composition of bird communities were analyzed on line transects during three months, including the migratory season, in three different land-use types namely, proposed reserved forest, tea estate and home gardens in Karanketiya, Rakwana. Total of 87 bird species including 79 residents with 15 endemics and 8 migrants were recorded. Species richness and total abundance per transect of three types of land-uses are significantly different (p<0.05, ANOVA). Species richness (n=68) was highest in tea estate while species heterogeneity (H’=3.612) and evenness (J’=0.872) were highest in home gardens. Percentage of endemic birds (25.6%) and percentage of migrant birds (12.8%) were highest in the forest and percentage of resident birds (74.6%) was highest in home gardens. The bird species composition in tea estate was highly comparable to that of home gardens (Cj=0.58). Percentage of openland birds (23.5%) was highest in tea estate whereas percentage of forest birds (59%) was highest in forest reserve. In addition, certain specialists were found exclusively within the forest. The higher diversity recorded, in human-modified landscapes has caused by its location in a closer proximity to forested areas and the wider array of different habitat types present. Therefore, such human-modified land-uses contribute for avifaunal conservation in the country. Yet, the long term impacts of such landscapes should be studied further.Item Arthropod diversity in four different ecosystems in the Mid Country Wet Zone of Sri Lanka(Department of Zoology and Environmental Management, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2017) Weerathunga, W.A.M.T.; Athapaththu, A.M.G.K.; Amarasinghe, L.D.Arthropods contribute significantly to biodiversity of natural environments. The present study was done to determine the diversity of arthropods in four ecosystems with different vegetation. Vegetation surrounding an aquatic environment (AQ), a broad-leaved wet, evergreen forest ecosystem (BL), a Pinus caribaea monoculture plantation (PN) and a Pinus plantation artificially enriched with indigenous broad-leaved tree species (PNEN) located close to each other in Peradeniya were selected. In each environment, arthropods were sampled in three randomly-selected sites (5m x 5m) using four sampling methods, namely, pit-fall traps, sticky traps, sweep net and beating tray. Collected arthropods were identified upto the highest possible taxa using standard identification keys, based on morphological characteristics. Simultaneously, a plant census was conducted. Arthropod- and vegetation diversities were computed separately for each site using Shannon-Wiener Index (H). A total of 324 arthropod individuals were collected from all four sites. (AQ–71, BL–44, PN–20, and PNEN–189).They belonged to 68 species and 43 families. A total of 4416 plants were observed, from 84 species and 42 families. AQ had the greatest arthropod diversity (H=2.642), dominated by Olios spp. (Family Sparassidae) followed by BL (H=2.444), dominated by three arthropods, namely, a tettigonid species, Oxytate spp. (Family Thomisidae), and Psechrus spp. (Family Psechridae). PN had the next highest arthropod diversity (H=1.411), dominated by Dicaldispa spp. (Family Chrysomelidae). The lowest arthropod diversity was found at PNEN (H=1.3500), dominated by a formicid species. In contrast when considering plant diversity, PNEN had the highest diversity (H=2.614) and PN the lowest (H=0.879). AQ (H=1.810) and BL (H=1.871) had intermediate values. The arthropod diversity of AQ and BL was not significant from each other, while AQ was significant from the other two (F=5.50, P=0.024). PN and PNEN were not significant from each other. It was observed that in AQ, BL and PN the arthropod diversity was linearly dependent on plant diversity (R2=0.423) whereas it was not so when PNEN was also included (R2=0.008). This shows that higher plant diversity contributes to greater arthropod diversity in ecosystems where human intervention is minimum. But this pattern was not visible in PNEN, which is an artificially-created ecosystem.Item Assessment of pollution in the St. Sebastian South canal, Orugodawaththa, a case study(Department of Zoology and Environmental Management, University of Kelaniya, 2015) Lekamge, D.; Samarawickrama, D.; Athukorala, U.; Dayananda, N.; Gamagedara, D.; Gnanasinghe, S.; Hansana, N.; Ranasinghe, A.; Ranasinghe, Y.; JayasriItem Assessment of pollution status of Crocodylus porosus and human-crocodile relationship in Bellanwila-Attidiya area(Department of Zoology and Environmental Management, University of Kelaniya, 2015) Dissanayake, S.; Nawalage, S.K.; Kowshayini, P.; Panagoda, G.; de Silva, A.; Subanky, S.; Nuwan, D.; Weerasinghe, A.; Bellanthuduwa, A.; de Silva, S.Item An assessment of the avifaunal diversity in Hapugastenne estate of Ratnapura District, Sri Lanka(Department of Zoology and Environmental Management, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2017) Fernando, G.K.; Perera, S.J.An avifaunal survey was conducted at Hapugastenne Tea Estate (1302ha), Ratnapura, Sri Lanka from November to December 2015 with objectives of assessing the bird diversity within different habitats and documenting threats to biodiversity. Bird populations were sampled in 39 line transects and 17 point counts for terrestrial and aquatic habitats respectively representing eight habitat strata (tea fields, home gardens, scrublands, secondary forests, natural forests, stream-side vegetation, riverine forests, and water-logged areas) within the estate, replicated in its nine divisions. Transects were conducted during the morning between 07:00 and 09:00 hrs. A total of 91 species, including nine Sri Lankan endemics and nine winter visitors were recorded, which included one globally and six nationally near threatened species. Estimates of relative abundance indicated a high degree of rarity, with only few abundant species, the red-vented bulbul being the most abundant. Among the habitats, the highest species richness (39) was recorded in stream-side vegetation where Simpson’s diversity index (0.947) was also the highest, while the Shannon-Wiener diversity index (H’=3.247) is marginally second to tea fields (H’=3.382), where the evenness was the highest (J=0.994). Interestingly, the Shannon-Wiener diversity and the evenness of the secondary forest fragments were comparable to those of home gardens (H’=2.591; J=0.795 and H’=2.515; J=0.791 respectively). The results of the feeding guild analysis indicated a greater abundance of the insectivore guild was greater in tea field than in other habitats. In contrast, the relative abundance of frugivore guild was higher in the natural and secondary forests. Cluster analysis indicated a highly dissimilar species composition in scrublands compared to other habitats, while tea fields and home gardens were very similar in their avifauna. The study revealed that this managed landscape provides a diversity of niches maintaining the natural biodiversity to a certain extent. Nevertheless, 14 alien invasive species (nine plants and five animals) were identified from the area among several other threats to the biodiversity. Increasing plant diversity, introduction of shade trees and connecting remnant natural habitat patches via stream reservations are recommended to conserve and enhance the avifaunal diversity in the study area.Item Assessment of the composition of the beach litter: a case study n two beaches in Sri Lanka(Department of Zoology and Environmental Management, University of Kelaniya, 2015) Priyadarshani, S.P.I.; Pushpadayana, B.; Surakshi, W.A.G.N.; Weerasinghe, S.D.N.A.M.A.M.; Yatawara, M.D.M.D.W.M.M.K.Item Assessment of the effectiveness developed low cost SPE systems using dry banana peel powder for the separation and pre-concentration of Cd (II) and Pb (II) in water(Department of Zoology and Environmental Management, University of Kelaniya, 2015) Perera, W.; Migelhewa, K.N.Item Assessment of the suitability of GRAS Generally Recognized as Safe) compounds to control anthracnose disease of guava (Psidium guajava)(Department of Zoology and Environmental Management, University of Kelaniya, 2015) Kuruppu, M.; Jayawardana, N.H.; Nimini, R.K.Item Assessment of the water quality parameters in selected sites of the Meegahawatta stream, Peliyagoda(Department of Zoology and Environmental Management, University of Kelaniya, 2015) Shanthamareen; Geethanjalee, P.H.K.; Sanjeevani, K.S.Item Assessment of water eutrophication in selected locations of the Diyawanna Oya using chemical assessment methods(Department of Zoology and Environmental Management, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2017) Samarawicrama, L.D.R.; Sanjeevani, K.S.; Sammani, D.G.P.; Rathnayake, A.K.V.H.; Wijeyaratne, W.M.D.N.Eutrophication is one of the most widespread environmental problems of inland water bodies of Sri Lanka. It has lot of negative impacts on the aquatic ecosystems including increased biomass, growth of harmful algal species, decrease in water transparency, changes in the biodiversity and effects on the aquatic food web. In addition, eutrophication can cause serious health effects in humans and domestic animals. Diyawanna oya is one of the major water body situated in Kotte area that is currently showing signs of eutrophication and many problems associated with it. The objectives of the case study were to compare BOD levels, COD levels, Chlorophyll a, and NO3- and PO43- levels in selected three sites of Diyawanna Oya with Sri Lankan water standards and to compare physical parameters such as Temperature, pH and Visibility in three selected sites over wet, dry and intermediate seasons. Three sites were selected for the study and, sites 1 and 2 were rehabilitated sites while site 3 was a non-rehabilitated site. BOD5 of the study sites ranged from 5.5-8.0 mg/L which is higher than the permissible threshold limit (>5 mg/L).The COD value of tree study sites during the period of case study was between 15.501- 41.670 mg/L, The nitrate concentrations of the three study sites varied between 1.3 – 2.5 mg/L during the period of study while the phosphate concentration varied between the values of 8.8 – 50 mg/L. Higher BOD values and Chlorophyll a were observed in sites 2 and 3 and higher values for COD and nitrate concentrations were observed in sites 1 and 2 meanwhile higher level of phosphate concentrations were observed in all three sites. Many of the readings obtained exceeded the highest permissible threshold limits that should be present in inland water bodies of Sri Lanka. Chlorophyll a level in the selected three study sites were in the range of 3.11 – 29.82 mg/L. The water temperature of the three study sites were between 310C – 340C and the pH ranged from 7.64 – 8.57 showing a slight alkaline conditions in the water of the study sites. Visibility was relatively low in all three selected study sites during the study period. According to the results it was noted that Eutrophication in Diyawanna oya cannot be monitored using only chemical assessment. Regular visual assessments accompanied with routinely chemical analysis of water quality can help in maintaining and keeping eutrophication of Diyawanna oya at controlled condition. By taking proper regulatory, control methods Diyawanna oya and the ecosystem that is bound with it can be protected.Item Assessment of water eutrophication in selected locations of the Diyawanna Oya using visual assessment method(Department of Zoology and Environmental Management, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2017) Samarawicrama, L.D.R.; Sanjeevani, K.S.; Sammani, D.G.P.; Rathnayake, A.K.V.H.; Wijeyaratne, W.M.D.N.Diyawanna Oya is one of the precious assets in the Colombo metropolitan of Sri Lanka. Some parts of Diyawanna oya is currently under the threat of eutrophication due to rapid development and urbanization of the area. There is a large number of low income houses and several large scale apartment complexes in close proximity to Diyawanna oya. Quality of water and habitat in most of the areas is mainly influenced by public effluent discharges to the canal system, which has a significant environmental effects on the wetland. The objectives of the case study were to use the visual assessment method to compare the levels of eutrophication and to identify the perspectives of the local community on the eutrophication. Three sites were selected for the study and, sites 1 and 2 were rehabilitated sites while site 3 was a non-rehabilitated site. Replicate water samples were collected from each site to cover wet and dry seasons. In visual assessment, presence of Pheriphytons , Phytoplankton, Free floating aquatic plants, Rooted submerged plants, color and odor of water was ranked according to standard visual assessment criteria. Face to face interviews using a questionnaire were carried out by interviewing 40 individuals in the local community. Considerable amount of Pheriphytons, Phytoplankton, Free floating aquatic plants, Rooted submerged plants were observed in sites 1 and 2 while site 3 indicated an elevated level of phytoplankton. The community survey revealed the lack of knowledge of the respondents on eutrophication is the major cause for eutrophication associated problems. The results of the community survey revealed that, majority of the respondent population (74.6%) that lives close proximity to Diyawanna oya does not use the water that can be obtained from that water body for any commercial activity as a result of heavy water pollution, lack of cleanliness and hygiene , but few people (25.6%) uses water that can be obtained mainly for washing vehicles and for fishing activities During the survey it was noted that the residents of the area have frequently suffered from various skin diseases (especially during the rainy season) and vector borne diseases such as Dengue and Filariasis. Majority (59%) of the respondents were not aware of the animal kills associated with eutrophication and related problems. While (41%) expressed observation of fish and bird kills from time to time. The results of this case study shows that Diyawanna oya is heavily polluted with sewage, domestic organic waste and cleaning materials. The pollution is worsened due to over population, urbanization, decrepit infrastructure, inadequate cleaning programs and malfunctioning in the existing programs and also due to breaches in local government management system. The results of this study highlights the immediate control measures to overcome the environmental impacts of eutrophication in Diyawanna oya.Item Avifaunal responses to habitat fragmentation in three different forest fragments adjacent to Mihintale Sanctuary(Department of Zoology and Environmental Management, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2017) Bopearachchi, D.; Wickramasinghe, S.Tropical forest fragmentation is considered as the main cause of extinction of tropical forest avifauna and the diversity of birds in fragmented areas are poorly understood. However, in Sri Lanka information on the effects of forest fragmentation on avifauna is scarce. Therefore, the study aimed to determine the avifaunal responses to habitat fragmentation in the three different fragments adjacent to Mihintale sanctuary. The current study was conducted in morning and evening for a period of six months from June to November 2015 and sampling was done in 40 hrs per month in each fragment. Point counts were used for data collection of birds in three different sized isolated forest fragments denoted as FA- fragmented area near Ayurveda, FK –fragmented area near Kaludiyapokuna and FP – fragmented area near Poson Mawatha. Arc GIS was used to measure areas of fragments. While, quadrate sampling method was used for sampling fragment vegetation. Total of 0.51 km2 covered during sampling. Altogether, 85 birds belonging to 37 families were recorded, including 74 breeding residents, 11 winter visitors, 3 endemic and 3 proposed endemic species. The area of three fragments were ranged from 1.1 to 3.4 ha. Species richness in FA was higher compared to the other two fragments in both seasons. Total number of species were significantly different dry-P=0.000, wet-P=0.001 among three fragments. Of the observed birds 18 (35.3%) species were common to all three fragments and five (9.8%), nine (17.7%) and two (3.9%) observed bird species were restricted to FA, FK and FP respectively. The species diversity in wet season was higher compared dry season in all three fragments. There was no significant difference in monthly variation of species diversity in FA and FK, but differed in FP. A total of 29 plant species belonging to 15 families were identified in three fragments. A higher tree and shrub density was recorded in FK. Vegetation was the major attribute positively related to species richness, abundance and diversity in fragments. Hence, protection and restoration of forest fragments may help to mitigate negative effects of fragments on bird functional groups.Item Case study on usage of polythene bags in super markets of Colombo metropolitan and finding an alternative(Department of Zoology and Environmental Management, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2017) Athukorala, U.K.; Gamagedara, D.; Gayangani, E.M.; Chrishanthan, J.E.; Bandara, W.A.R.T.W.Polyethylene bags since their emergence in the 1940s, is an incredibly useful, highly convenient, strong and inexpensive, to both customers and businesses as a reliable way to deliver goods from the store to home. According to statistic, 20 billion polythene bags are being used per day in Sri Lanka. This creates massive amount of non-biodegradable waste which poses a huge threat to human, animal and the environmental health. This study was conducted with the primary objective of evaluating the current usage of polythene in super markets of Colombo District and to find alternatives to minimize the usage of polythene bags in super markets. Primary data were gathered by a questionnaire survey carried out among the four major super market chains as in Cargills Food City, Keells Super, Arpico Super Centre, Laugfs Supermarket to understand the usage of the polythene bags. Secondary data were gathered from observations, discussions, books, electronic media and other sources. Some paper bag alternatives were made; Cement Paper bag with oil paper coating, Cement Paper bag with corn husk as the bottom, Cement Paper bag with oil paper layering and Cement Paper bag with banana tree bark at the bottom to test the mechanical properties and feasibility of the option. The results from the Market survey signifies that averagely around 8 million of polythene bags are issued per month by all the outlets in Colombo district by each super market category. Therefore, study findings revealed that out of the four types of alternatives tested Cement Paper bag with banana tree bark at the bottom would be the best option as it showed the greatest mechanical properties. When look in to the cost associated with the production, all the four types of bags would have to bear the coat of 6.75 to 7.00 LKR. Therefore, Cement paper bag with banana tree bark at the bottom would be the ideal replacement for polythene bags use to pack different types of dry vegetables and food.Item A case study to assess the possibilities of electrical energy conservation in an office premises(Department of Zoology and Environmental Management, University of Kelaniya, 2015) Mendis, K.T.N.; Madushani, D.L.; Merinsa, J.; Kapilarathna, K.; Wijeyaratne, W.M.D.N.Item A comparative time series analyses on temperature change in Colombo city based on Landsat satellite data(Department of Zoology and Environmental Management, University of Kelaniya, 2015) Chathuranga, S.J.; Dammalage, T.Item Comparison of household sewage disposal systems of a rural and an urban Grama Niladhari Divisions with standards: a case study from North-Western province of Sri Lanka(Department of Zoology and Environmental Management, University of Kelaniya, 2015) Dehipe, D.M.M.C.S.; Chandrasekara, G.B.C.M.R.N.K.; Gnanarathna, U.S.P.; Athettan, S.; Najim, M.M.M.