Abstract
The paper gives a historical overview, and a summary of key findings from 70 previously published research papers giving scientific data over the years from 1980 to 2019. They concern the flora and/or fauna in the mangrove forests along the Sri Lankan coast, addressing diversity, taxonomy, distribution, and ecological interactions. A total of 28 mangrove floral species from 13 plant families have been reported so far. Similarly, faunal diversity studies have reported 99 invertebrates, dominated by Arthropoda (n = 55) and Mollusca (n = 26), and 214 vertebrates comprising Pisces (n = 112), Aves (n = 72), Reptilia (n = 13) and Amphibia (n = 2). Most studies have been concentrated on the Southwestern coast (nflora = 20, nfauna = 6). Negombo has been a hotspot for mangrove research, with a higher number of studies (nflora = 11, nfauna = 5). The majority of the mangrove studies were focused on mangrove floral diversity and taxonomy and were conducted over recent years (2010–2019). Scientific data on mangrove fauna is restricted to a certain geographical extent. This paper intends to identify the research gaps in the field of Sri Lankan mangroves regarding various aspects and suggests advancement in future studies. Overall, outputs from the present study would be helpful for upcoming researchers to focus more on filling the gaps in knowledge.
Highlights
We aimed to provide a list of mangrove flora in the Sri Lankan mangrove ecosystems, supported by taxonomic re-identification of the previously reported taxa
The degree of studies was mostly (44%) based on discussing the diversity, taxonomy and distribution of the mangrove flora and fauna (Figure 1B)
The outcomes of this review suggest that scientists should concentrate more on the species richness and assemblage of mangrove fauna, and report them to the global arena, which would collaterally promote their conservation
Summary
Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations. Mangroves are unique ecological assemblages of woody halophytes, circumscribed to the intertidal zone generally found in the tropical and subtropical zones. Mangroves comprise angiosperms that are uniquely adapted to extreme saline environments by means of salt-secreting leaves, low water potentials, and high intercellular salt concentrations, making them able to maintain favorable water relations in saline environments, as well as viviparous water-dispersed propagules [1]. Mangroves have been widely acknowledged for their immense coastal significance, like coastal productivity [2], powerful carbon sequestration [3], and providing nesting, breeding, and feeding grounds to a variety of marine and brackish species [4], as well as climate change mitigation and coastal protection [5]
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