Abstract
Muthurajawela Marsh and Negombo Lagoon have lost their marshland and mangroves from 41% and 21% accordingly from 1997 to 2017. Vegetation land fragmentation (VLF) is the foremost reason that accelerates the vegetation cover change. However, Sri Lanka has not been given sufficient attention to investigate VLF with case studies. Further, fragmentation patterns like dissecting, shrinking, and disappearing are still essential to investigate with empirical studies to comprehend the phases of VLF. Therefore, this study attempts to quantify the level of vegetation land fragmentation (LVLF) in the Western Province’s Grama Niladhari Divisions (GNDs) from 2000 to 2020 by applying the Landscape Division Index (FRAGSTATS). It further analyses the patterns of VLF by using 200 fragmented locations. The key findings demonstrate that 54% of GNDs have more than 60% of the LVLF in the Gampaha District from 2000 to 2010. Although it has reduced up to 49% from 2010-2020, the Gampaha District remains in the highest position. It additionally discloses the significant increment in LVLF along the expressways from 2010 to 2020. 46% of fragmented patches indicate the mixed of dissecting, shrinking, and disappearing patterns. Therefore, the study provides methodological application and quantitative insights for planners to investigate VLF and its patterns.
Highlights
Vegetation land fragmentation refers to the dispersion or division of land parcels or patches into smaller ones (Kilic, et al, 2019; Forman, 2014; Wei & Zhang, 2011)
The Kaluthara District indicates that 23% of Grama Niladhari Divisions (GNDs) have less than 20% of the level of vegetation land fragmentation (Figure 5)
The study successfully provides an initial step for the urban planners to understand the level of vegetation land fragmentation in the Sri Lankan Context
Summary
Vegetation land fragmentation refers to the dispersion or division of land parcels or patches into smaller ones (Kilic, et al, 2019; Forman, 2014; Wei & Zhang, 2011). Vegetation land fragmentation denotes the Landscape Ecological theory (Forman, 2014; Wu, 2013) It is further explained under the Patch-Corridor-Matrix model (Hedblom, 2008; Thiele, et al, 2008). It leads to attract Greenfield development that can destroy entire ecosystems (Barau & Qureshi, 2015; York, et al, 2011) It is evident from the empirical studies that vegetation land cover in Sri Lanka is significantly diminishing within the urbanized areas (Athukorala, et al, 2021). Muthurajawela Marsh and Negombo Lagoon have lost their marshland and mangroves from 41% and 21% from 1997 to 2017 (Athukorala, et al, 2021) This vegetation cover changes, and their fragmentation into smaller parcels causes habitat isolation (Athukorala, et al, 2021; Forman, 2014). It is important to study the level of vegetation land fragmentation in the Sri Lankan context
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