Park Beach Research Articles

Spiraling up: Sense of place with co-creation experiences insights from Crow Island Beach Park, Sri Lanka

Researchers highlight that one significant intrinsic motivation for taking part in co-creations is a sense of place. Vice versa, some scholars indicate an enhanced sense of place can be achieved through community participatory strategies and place-making. However, there is a noticeable absence of empirical investigations into this seemingly reciprocal relationship. This study uses the Crow Island Beach Park development in Sri Lanka as a case study to explore the relationship between co-creation experience and the sense of place. Following an exploratory research design, data was collected through in-depth interviews with a purposive sample of sixteen members engaged in the beach park development. Subsequently, thematic and inverted pyramid-based co-occurrence analysis was employed within a qualitative research approach. The findings unveil a reciprocal relationship between the sense of place and the co-creation experience, marked by a spiraling-up dynamic. The findings further indicate variations in participants’ sense of place and co-creation experiences, providing valuable insights for planners, environmental managers and policymakers aiming to utilize active community participation for sensible and sustainable place-making.

PENGELOLAAN VEGETASI DI KAWASAN EKOWISATA MANGROVE PERANCAK, JEMBRANA

Perancak mangrove forest is one of the important supporters for mangrove ecotourism in perancak as an ecosystem that functions ecologically, economically and socially as an effort to preserve the beach in a sustainable manner. This research aims to determine the level of diversity of mangrove vegetation types in the perancak coastal area and conduct mangrove management efforts through vegetation analysis and soil analysis. Sampling carriedout on true mangroves and associated mangroves using purposive sampling technique. The method of flora sampling was carried out by quadrant method by calculating the important value index, diversity index and type distribution pattern. True mangroves consist of 13 species and 1367 individuals, dominated by rhyzophora stylosa, with a total importance index (indeks nilai penting)= 299.86 % (classified as sestable), diversity index 1.1192 and distribution pattern = 0.548 (vegetation is stable and uniform). Associate mangroves consists of 13 types and 649 individuals, dominated by the type Terminalia cattapa. Important index =297.892 %, diversity index = 0.9438 and type distribution pattern = 0.73 i.e vegetation that grows is classified as uniform. Analysis results for the 5 soil samples for total n, p and k elements available and organic c, all support mangrove growth. the development of true mangroves and associations is the main supporting factor for the development of tourism areas in the perancak jembrana ecotourism area which is now developing into a beach park developed by the people of Perancak village. Keywords: Perancak; Mangrove Diversity; Management; Soil Analysis

The Influence of Service Quality on Customer Engagement in Kaputian Beach Park

This study aimed to determine the significant relationship between service quality and customer engagement in Kaputian Beach Park. Convenience sampling, which included 70 customers, was used. Through non-experimental quantitative descriptive-correlational research technique, validated questionnaire, Mean, Pearson-Product Moment Correlation Coefficient (Pearson-r) and Multiple Linear Regression; results showed that the level of service quality was high or oftentimes manifested. It was also found that the level of customer engagement was high or oftentimes manifested. There was a significant relationship between service quality and customer engagement. This implies that customers are more likely to engage with the business when the service quality is high. This could mean more frequent interactions, longer sessions, higher satisfaction rates, increased loyalty, and more purchases. Accordingly, empathy best influences customer engagement. It was recommended that the beach resort management may continue to prioritize and enhance the quality of service, with a particular focus on demonstrating empathy. This could involve training staff to understand better and anticipate customer needs, personalizing services where possible, and creating an environment where customers feel valued and understood.

Two decades of community-based conservation yield valuable insights into marine turtle nesting ecology

AbstractFor the Western Indian Ocean region, there is a significant knowledge gap regarding marine turtle nesting on the continental coast of East Africa. Here we present results from a long-term (2000–2020) community-based monitoring programme in and around Watamu Marine National Park, Kenya, covering 30 km of coastline (c. 6% of the national total). Conservation actions effectively protected nesting turtles and resulted in a near-total cessation of illegal egg harvesting in Watamu Marine National Park. Collected data indicate this is an important marine turtle nesting index site in Kenya and the wider region. Green turtle Chelonia mydas nests were most common (95%), followed by olive ridley turtles Lepidochelys olivacea (4%), with occasional nests of hawksbill Eretmochelys imbricata and leatherback turtles Dermochelys coriacea. Clutches per season increased significantly over the 20-year monitoring period for green turtles (50%) and showed a positive trend for olive ridley turtles. Watamu remains an area at risk from human pressures such as coastal development. Clutch distribution along the Watamu Marine National Park beach has shifted over time, probably because of coastal development and disturbance. Illegal take of adults and eggs continues in areas north and south of the Watamu Marine National Park, possibly slowing rates of recovery. Clutches deemed at risk were moved to a safe location within the National Park, and hatching success was high. Continued conservation efforts, including wider engagement with stakeholders to reduce human pressures, are needed to ensure the perpetuation of this nesting site.

Jurnal Potensi Jalur Tol Laut Dalam Mendukung Pengembangan Pariwisata Maritim Di Banyuwangi

Maritime tourism is an important sector in driving the economy of coastal areas such as Banyuwangi. With its diverse natural riches, Banyuwangi has great potential to develop tourism that focuses on the sea. However, existing accessibility constraints have become an obstacle in maximizing the potential of maritime tourism. This research aims to examine the potential of maritime toll routes in supporting the development of maritime tourism in Banyuwangi. The research methods used are literature study, secondary data analysis, as well as reviewing journals and literature studies related to this research. The research results show that the sea toll road has great potential to increase accessibility to maritime tourism destinations in Banyuwangi. With the existence of a sea toll road, travel time and transportation costs can be reduced, so that it will attract more tourists to visit destinations such as Pulau Merah Beach, Menjangan Island and Baluran National Park. Apart from that, sea toll routes can also support the development of tourism infrastructure, such as more modern tourist ports and other supporting facilities. However, this research also identifies several challenges that need to be overcome, such as maintaining maritime highways, coordination between stakeholders, and sustainable environmental management. Therefore, collaboration between the government, tourism entrepreneurs and local communities is the key to maximally exploiting the potential of this sea toll route.

A ladder of sense of place: Case study of Crow Island Beach Park, Sri Lanka

There is a growing interest in the field of sense of place research due to its influence on community participation. However, this area faces primary limitations characterized by terminological and conceptual ambiguity and challenges related to empirical operationalization. This paper aims to explore the dynamics of sense of place among the members of Crow Island Beach Park Management Society (BPMS), Sri Lanka. This study adopts a case study research design and through purposive snowball sampling 16 individuals were selected for interviews. Several recurring themes emerged when analyzing the interview-derived data, forming a conceptual progression resembling a ladder. The findings of this study reveal distinct stages of progression from placelessness, connected, committed, commend the place is best and consecrate the place over personal aspirations. The themes contributed to the development of ‘a ladder of sense of place’. This novel conceptual framework broadens existing notions of sense of place and introduces new dimensions to measurement scales. It can serve as a valuable tool for urban designers, planners, landscape architects and policymakers, enabling them to conduct qualitative assessments of individuals' sense of place on a local level. Moreover, it facilitates community participation in place-making and environmental management.

Facile Extraction and Characterization of Silica Nanopowder from Marine National Park beach sand via Alkali Fusion Route

The current study showed utilization of locally available beach sand from Marine National Park in facile extraction of highly amorphous silica via a simple alkali fusion method. The purification of the silica sand was done using 6 N HCl solution to increase its purity. The method entailed formation of sodium silicate (Na2SiO3) solution from silica sand, precipitation using HCl acid to form tetraortosilicate acid, Si(OH)4 (silica gel) which is then heated to form amorphous silica (SiO2). The percentage yield of the extracted silica was 35.0139±0.11%. The extracted silica was characterized using X-Ray Fluorescence Spectrometer (XRF), X-Ray Diffractometer (XRD) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrophotometer (FT-IR). The XRF characterization revealed that the extracted silica content was 94.16±0.47 % which increased from 81.32±0.81% (Silica sand). The XRD results revealed a highly crystalline quartz as the main component of silica sand. The XRD spectra of extracted silica showed a broad diffraction peak at 2θ = 21.76o revealing its amorphous nature. The average particle size of the extracted silica was 45.15nm. The FT-IR characterization of the extracted silica showed hydroxyl (-OH) in silanol (Si-OH) and siloxane (Si-O-Si) as important functional groups. The results showed a low cost technique for the production of highly pure amorphous nanosized silica as a potential mineral that can be employed in vast industrial fields.

Assessing Tourists’ Preferences and Willingness to Pay for Artificial Beach Park Development and Management: A Choice Experiment Method

Artificial beaches have made a significant contribution to the expansion of coastal tourism. Obtaining information on tourists’ preferences for artificial beach tourism can help managers to better balance the relationship between the satisfaction of recreational needs and environmental protection. The Meishan Bay Beach Park in Ningbo, Zhejiang Province, China was used as the study site, and the tourists’ preferences for the artificial beach park development and management were evaluated using the choice experiment method. The results revealed that tourists were generally more interested in improving the governance level of the existing landscape than in further expanding the scale of artificial beach development. Among all attributes, significantly reducing the amount of garbage was the most preferred attribute, with a willingness to pay of 39.75 CNY, while willingness to increase beach area was the lowest attribute. The result of the preference heterogeneity analysis showed that tourists with higher education levels were more willing to pay to obtain a better recreational experience, while local tourists were more concerned about reducing congestion. Moreover, we found a clear and relevant segmentation of tourists’ choice behavior, with the strong sensitivity for raising the ticket price being driven by the smallest group of the sample.

Short-term dynamics of a high energy embayed beach: Stanwell Park, NSW, Australia

The three-dimensional variability of the subaerial beach is examined for Stanwell Park Beach, New South Wales (NSW), Australia. This embayed environment has previously been studied over long time scales (decades), but not over shorter time scales (days, weeks). Embayed beaches experience rotation events during which opposite accretion and erosion patterns are observed at the extremities of the beach. To analyse this phenomenon, the beach is mapped with 10 Real-Time Kinematic Global Positioning System (RTK-GPS) surveys collected from 10th February 2016 to 14th May 2016. This study aims to examine short-term changes (days, weeks) to the morphology of the subaerial beach of Stanwell Park Beach and any factors that may influence its behaviours. We show that a short-time beach rotation event occurs over one month, caused by a large eastern swell. However, swell with a southern direction generates rip current channels on the subaerial beach face. During this particular event, the amount of sediment transported is lower than during beach rotation events. Furthermore, Stanwell Park Beach has two lagoons that can open to discharge water accumulated in these lagoons. We show that during heavy rainfall, the lagoons open, transporting sediment in surf zone and thus causing erosion. This study provides a clear demonstration of the sensitivity of embayed beaches to short-term variability in wave climate.

Parque Aquático Beach Park, no Estado do Ceará, no Brasil, como Atrativo Turístico e a Influência da Hospitalidade na Experiência dos Visitantes

Theme parks are considered tourist attractions in the entertainment market, offering equipment that can stimulate the local or even regional economy. In the case of Ceará, around 80% of tourists who visit the State take trips to the Beach Park water complex, the park that is the focus of this study. Despite the existence of some studies on theme parks that investigate the experience and enchantment of customers, there’s a gap to be filled by this article, which addresses the experience of visitors to a theme park from the perspective of hospitality. Thus, amidst the theoretical foundation presented, the indicators of the quality model by Mondo and Fiates (2017) are presented, which study categories such as: access, environment, human element, experience, safety and technical quality. In this context, the general objective was to understand visitors’ perception of hospitality at the Beach Park theme park. This is a descriptive-explanatory work with a quantitative approach based on data collected from park visitors. Data collection took place through questionnaires on google forms and data analysis was supported by statistical software. As a result, it was noticed that there was adequate signage and location at Beach Park, but there were long queues at the attractions. The employees’ interest in providing good service and helping people who frequented the park was highlighted as a positive point, as well as charging prices compatible with the products offered, causing customer satisfaction. It’s believed that paths have been opened for further studies that adopt confirmatory factor analysis.

Microplastics Dynamics in the Bathing Seawater Affected by the Ebb Tide in Zhanjiang Bay, China

At present, microplastics (MPs) pollution has attracted people’s attention, and MPs in seawater have caused great harm to the marine environment. Taking Yugang Park Beach (YPB) in Zhanjiang Bay (ZJB) as the research object, we studied the spatial and temporal distribution, composition, and inventory of MPs in the bathing seawater affected by the ebb tide by filtering the bathing seawater with a 45 μm stainless steel sieve. The results showed that the average abundance of MPs in the bathing seawater was 201.3 ± 183.0 items·m−3, with the highest at mid-tide, followed by high and low tides. The size of MPs in the bathing seawater was mainly 1–2 mm, with most being white (23.5%) and green (29.8%) MPs, and the largest proportion being foam (27.5%) and fiber (29.5%). The main polymer types were polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), and cellulose (CE). Correlation analysis between MP abundance and their sizes showed that the abundance of 0.33–5 mm MPs was significantly and positively correlated with their sizes (p < 0.05). The average MP inventory was 3.2 × 106 items, with the largest at high tide, followed by mid and low tides. In conclusion, these results highlighted that tidal variations were the main factor causing the uneven distribution of MPs in the bathing seawater at YPB. This study provides theoretical support for future study of MP pollution in bathing waters, and the effect of tidal variations on MPs.

A study on ecosystem service perception and user preferences: Arhavi Shore Park case area

Kentsel ekosistemlerin önemli bir parçası olan kent parkları, kente ve kentlilere doğrudan ve dolaylı ekosistem hizmetleri sağlayan alanlardır. Bu alanların ve sağladığı ekosistem hizmetlerinin sürdürülebilirliği için alan kullanıcılarının tercihlerinin ve alanların sağladığı servislere ilişkin algıların belirlenmesi de önem arz etmektedir. Buradan hareketle çalışma alanı olarak Arhavi Sahil Parkı seçilmiştir. Çalışmada kullanıcı yoğunluğunu ve tercihlerini belirlemek için gözlem tekniğinden, kullanıcı tercihlerini ve algılarını belirlemek için de anket tekniğinden faydalanılmıştır. Anket çalışması çevrimiçi olarak 310 katılımcı ile yürütülmüştür. Elde edilen veriler doğrultusunda, çalışma alanının haftada en az bir defa kullanıldığı, öğleden sonra ve akşam saatlerinde daha yoğun kullanıldığı, daha çok yaz mevsiminde kullanıldığı, yürüyüş, koşu vb. etkinlikler için daha çok tercih edildiği tespit edilmiştir. Mekânsal olarak ise yine yürüyüş yolları ve çocuk oyun alanı ve çevresinin tercih edildiği belirlenmiştir. Elde edilen bu bulgular, gözlem çalışmasından elde edilen bulgularla örtüşmektedir. Anket çalışmasından elde edilen bulgular ışığında, sahil parkı kullanıcılarının parkın sağladığı kaynak sağlayan, düzenleyici, destekleyici ve özellikle kültürel ekosistem hizmetlerini algıladıkları söylenebilir. Sonuç olarak, parkın dört mevsim kullanılabileceği mekânsal çözümlerin yanı sıra sağladığı ekosistem hizmetlerinin algı düzeylerinin arttırılması yönünde de çeşitli öneriler getirilmiştir. Tercih ve algı çalışmalarının tasarımcılar, planlamacılar ve alan yöneticileri için yol gösterici olacağı düşünülmektedir.

ANTHROPOGENIC IMPACTS ON THE MORPHOLOGICAL EVOLUTION OF THE PACOTI ESTUARY, NORTHEAST BRAZIL

The problem of anthropogenic occupation on the banks of estuaries and rivers has been a factor of concern and frequently addressed around the world. In the State of Ceará, this problem has been persistent, despite the reasonable environmental legislation dealing with this issue. Along the Pacoti River Estuary, this problem was addressed in this study and added to the analysis of the wind action in the evolution of this coastal environment. Thus, direct and indirect methods were applied, mainly based on field work and remote sensing based in the use of tools from a GIS platform. The results show persistent and continuous participation of aeolian activity, notably dunes migration, in the evolution process of this estuary. Additionally, human interference over 63 years, whether in the form of exploitation of natural resources and/or urban occupation on the banks of the estuary and in the possible area of ​​expansion of this environment, has produced serious environmental damage and restricted the natural area of this important coastal ecosystem. This process of environmental degradation was largely accelerated from the occupation of the area to the east of the estuary by the Beach Park development, and to the west by the Alphaville Residential Condominium.

Combination of Analytic Hierarchy Process and Simple Additive Weighting for Recommendation Tourist Attractions

The selection of the right tourist attractions is always done by tourists before visiting tourist attractions. Tourists have different criteria in choosing the tourist attractions they want to visit. There are many good tourist attractions on the island of Lombok, Indonesia, but of the many tourist attractions, tourists need recommendations for the best tourist attractions to visit. Decision-making methods can be used to create a ranking system. Analytical Hierarchical Process (AHP) is a decision-making method in Multi-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) problems by combining qualitative and quantitative factors in complex problems. Simple Additive Weighting (SAW) is a decision-making method to generate a rating preference value. The purpose of this paper is to utilize a combination of AHP-SAW to decide the weight of the criteria and the significance of alternative tourist attractions. The results of the calculation of the AHP-SAW combination resulted in the ranking of the best tourist attractions. This study uses five alternative tourist attractions on the island of Lombok, namely Pink Beach (A1), Senggigi Beach (A2), Tanjung Aan Beach (A3), Marese Hill (A4), and Mayura Park (A5) taken fro m several trusted sites. In addition, the five criteria used are visitor reviews, visitor ratings, ticket prices, the distance of tourist attractions fro m the airport, and visiting time. The results showed that the AHP-SAW combination resulted in a consistent ratio value of 0.0371 so that the criterion-weighted data could be used as a basis for calculating the preference value and ranking of alternative tourist attractions. The best alternative for tourist attractions is Tanjung Aan Beach (A3) with a preference value of 0.9554.

The role of pH up-regulation in response to nutrient-enriched, low-pH groundwater discharge

Coral reefs and their ecosystems are threatened by both global stressors, including increasing sea-surface temperatures and ocean acidification (OA), and local stressors such as land-based sources of pollution that can magnify the effects of OA. Corals can physiologically control the chemistry of their internal calcifying fluids (CF) and can thereby regulate their calcification process. Specifically, increasing aragonite saturation state in the CF (ΩCF) may allow corals to calcify even under external low saturation conditions. Questions remain regarding the physiological processes that govern the CF chemistry and how they change in response to multiple stressors. To address this knowledge gap, the boron δ11B and B/Ca were analyzed in tropical corals, Porites lobata, collected at submarine groundwater seeps impacted by the release of treated wastewater in west Maui, Hawai'i, to document the interactions between high nutrient / low pH seep water on CF carbonate chemistry. Results show substantial up-regulation of pH and dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) with respect to seawater in P. lobata corals collected from within the wastewater impacted area at Kahekili Beach Park compared to the control site at Olowalu Beach. The ΩCF was 9 to 10 times higher than ambient seawater Ω, and 13 to 26% higher than in corals from the control site and from values previously observed in tropical Porites spp. corals. Such elevated up-regulation suggests that corals exposed to nutrient-enriched, low pH effluent sustain CF supersaturated with respect to aragonite, possibly as an internal coping mechanism to combat multiple stressors from land-based sources of pollution. This elevated up-regulation has implications to coral vulnerability to future climate- and ocean-change.

Seasonal Distribution, Composition, and Inventory of Plastic Debris on the Yugang Park Beach in Zhanjiang Bay, South China Sea.

Plastic debris contamination in marine environments is a global problem that poses a considerable threat to the sustainability and health of coastal ecosystems. Marine beaches, as the key zones where terrestrial plastic debris reach coastal waters, are faced with the increasing pressures of human activities. In this study, we explored the distribution, composition, and inventory of plastic debris over seasonal and tidal zones at the Yugang Park Beach (YPB) in Zhanjiang Bay, South China Sea, to provide a baseline for plastic debris on a marine beach. The results showed mean abundance of plastic debris in summer (6.00 ± 2.10 items/m2) was significantly greater than that in winter (3.75 ± 2.12 items/m2). In addition, the composition of plastic debris ranged in size mainly from 1 to 5 mm and 0.5 to 2.5 cm in winter and summer, respectively. In terms of composition, white plastic debris was the most common (81.1%), and foam was the most abundant (64.4%). Moreover, there was a significant relationship between the abundance of plastic debris and sand grain size fraction (p < 0.05), implying the abundances of microplastic debris were more easily impacted by sand grain size (>2 mm). In total inventory, there were about 1.18 × 105 and 2.95 × 105 items of plastic debris on the YPB in winter and summer, respectively. The tidal variation and human activities are responsible for the plastic debris accumulation. This study provided a method to quantify the inventory of plastic debris on a beach and could be helpful to consider regional tidal variations and critical source areas for effective plastic debris clean-up.

Crowd Gathering and Thermal Comfort Research in Different Park Shading Spaces

The thermal comfort of different shaded spaces in parks varies noticeably, and it is also a key factor influencing crowd gathering. Longzi Lake Beach Park in Zhengzhou was used as a study area in this research. For analysis, a thermal comfort index for three different space types (unshaded, semi-shaded, and fully-shaded) and a crowd aggregation index were used. The results show that during autumn, visitors are sensitive to the thermal comfort in different shaded spaces, and that the location of the playing field differs significantly. Air temperature and solar radiation are the two factors that influence tourists’ thermal comfort the most. For the first time, a regression relationship between physiological equivalent temperature (PET) and mean thermal sensation vote (MTSV) is established in different shading spaces. It clarified the thermal comfort of tourists in different shaded spaces. PET and crowd aggregation index show a clear correlation. The correlation between the MTSV and crowd aggregation density increased with the increase in shade area. For the first time, the relationship between thermal comfort and crowd gathering in different shaded spaces in parks was analysed. The research is beneficial to improving the scientificity of the construction of the park’s thermal environment, and providing people with more comfortable outdoor space from the perspective of shading.

Layered Landscapes of Welfare Values – Revisiting Køge Bay Beach Park in Denmark

This essay studies the perceived spatial characteristics of the Danish welfare landscape of Køge Bay Beach Park from the late 1970s. The project is one of the few realized examples of landscape-based coastal adaptation projects in a Danish context, and it is expected to undergo an extensive modernization process in the near future. Based on the premise that the rising sea level requires great public engagement and investments, we claim that future climate adapted coastlines could be regarded as the next generation of welfare landscapes. By using Køge Bay Beach Park as a lens, we examine the potential perceived spatial qualities of integrating welfare values in coastal adaptation projects. We further discuss how past planning and design practices of welfare landscapes could be revived in the future transformation of Køge Bay Beach Park, and in future coastal climate adaptation projects in general.

Abstract

Abstract Justin Balog (bio) Gardeners zip tie the branchesof their saplings Magnetic northis the consciousness of birds Stiff weight despite the pain of low barometric pressureI’m on my knees praying for a part-time job If I could I wouldn’t say anything to Greenland its disappearing icerates which have never before been seen My hands sift through dirt that might never have been sifted throughI bought a plant for this responsibility Here we are moving as ifsome destiny tied us By morning the leaves will have already turnedto face the sun [End Page 207] Observation on Discovery I learn the Spaniards take their time, if not for health, maybe for the cascade of Pedrell down the narrow eaves of this near-dawn Catalonian boulevard where I am lost. I stop to stare at the map I stole from a boutique hotel, though the receptionist was so kind, on the street that opens like a harbor of boating flags, a canopy of clothes hanging from the balconies. If this is art, I think I finally understand. In the museum I visited earlier, the main installation was a floating bed frame, connected by steel strings, to the ceiling, above the main entrance, which, to me, seemed an apt description of faith. The bed, though, illustrated some current theory of the universe, the movement of gravity or the bending of light. How precious, then, are our moments of weightlessness? [End Page 208] My only friend in this country, drunk, without our keys, is two or four streets over, hopefully, where I left him. When he told me he had lost our keys, my heart felt as weightless as a toolbox. Where would we stay? We have a train in seven hours. What about our clothes? Or the hosts we’ve betrayed? Forgive me, I took the map because I am in a hurry. The unusual thing about the installation was that the sheets were rigid fishnets or a dark chicken wire. Light makes density ambiguous and gravity throws sheets like a chore. I am taking a minute to myself, in an alley, under a balcony, to breathe because I am sober and have to find us a place to sleep. I lean my head back against the gothic brick. The narrowness between buildings makes the perfect telescope. The shirts, the sheets, the delicateness of their gravity; night peeking through, exhibiting what I think the installation meant: a sculpture rotating with the Earth, everywhere, dangling like little experiments. How precious, these clothes we live in. [End Page 209] Justin Balog Justin Balog is a writer from Beach Park, Illinois. He holds a BS in biology from the University of Wisconsin–Madison. A graduate of the University of Michigan’s Helen Zell Writers’ Program with his MFA in poetry, he has received fellowships from the Vermont Studio Center and the University of Michigan. He was an assistant editor at Michigan Quarterly Review, where he co-founded MQR’s online, multimodal imprint, Mixtape. He has work appearing in Ploughshares, Narrative, and the Iowa Review. Currently, he is a student at Harvard’s Graduate School of Education. Copyright © 2022 Middlebury College

Floral Diversity Status in Urban Coastal Wetland &amp;amp; Associated Coastal Ecosystems of Crow Island Mattakkuliya, Sri Lanka

Colombo is the capital of Sri Lanka and the only wetland city in South Asia under the Ramsar Convention. Crow Island Beach Park and associated coastal area belong to the Colombo urban coastal wetland ecosystems. Crow Island wetland contributes diverse habitats for numerous flora and fauna species. The present study was conducted to assess the status of floral diversity in the Crow Island Beach Park and associated coastal ecosystem during the months of August to October 2021. Study area is divided in to three sites (A, B, C). Line transects method and field observations were used in the study. This coastal wetland consists of mosaic of five major vegetation types: Herbaceous, tree, shrub, creeper, grass and other than that marine algae namely Chaetomorpha antennina, Rhizoclonium africanum, Ulva compressa belonging to chlorophyta (green algae) and Grateloupia lithophila belonging to rhodophyta (red algae) were found in the study area. A total number of 102 flora species belonging to 50 families were recorded from the study area. There were two true mangrove species and 16 mangrove associated species in the study sites. Out of the 102 plant species 46 were recognized and documented as plants with medicinal values. Shannon-Wiener diversity indexes for mangrove and mangrove associated species were recorded as 2.378, 2.304 and 1.676 in site A, B and C respectively. Simpson’s diversity index for mangrove and mangrove associated species was recorded as 0.889, 0.874 and 0.735 respectively in site A, B and C and Jaccard index of similarity between three study sites showed high values ranging from 41% to 69% for mangrove and mangrove associated species.