Traditional Home Garden and Rice Agro-Ecosystems in Sri Lanka: An - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Traditional Home Garden and Rice Agro-Ecosystems in Sri Lanka: An Integrated Managed Lanka: An Integrated Managed Landscape that Sustains a Rich Biodiversity

Channa N.B. Bambaradeniya IUCN The World Conservation Union IUCN – The World Conservation Union, Sri Lanka Country Office

Biological Conservation Biological Conservation

Pre-1980’s Post-1980’s Managed ecosystems Undisturbed natural habitats, including PAs (>75% of terrestrial environment) (small land area)

Traditional Home Garden Rice Field Traditional Home Garden-Rice Field Integrated Landscape g p

• The THG (367,800 ha) and RF (780,000 ha)

agro-ecosystems are distributed throughout Sri Lanka.

• Together, they cover approximately 15% of

the terrestrial landscape in the island. the terrestrial landscape in the island.

• According to historical evidence, this

integrated agricultural system has been integrated agricultural system has been practiced in Sri Lanka for more than 2000 years years.

THG-RF Systems in Sri Lanka

The THG-RF integrated agro-ecosystem comprise a rich mosaic of ecotones, harbouring a i h bi l i l di i rich biological diversity.

Floristic Composition of THG

• A survey by Hochegger (1998) has enabled

to document 640 species of plants

• The species richness of plants range from

The species richness of plants range from 22 – 170 (mean: 53 species) species of trees, shrubs and herbs per home garden (0 5 2 shrubs and herbs per home garden (0.5-2 ha).

Composition of Vertebrate Fauna in Composition of Vertebrate Fauna in THG-RF Agro-ecosystems g y

• A total of 250 species, which represents about

40% f h l i l d i b i i 40% of the total inland native vertebrate species in Sri Lanka.

• Among the vertebrate species recorded, 29 (12%)

are endemic, while 40 (16%) are nationally threatened.

• In addition to 133 species of native birds observed,

p , 30 species of winter migratory birds were also documented

Richness of Invertebrates in Home Richness of Invertebrates in Home Gardens and Rice Fields and

• A study in a 1 ha rice field in Sri Lanka

enabled to document 494 species of invertebrates, under 10 phyla , p y

– 82% arthropods; 40% aquatic species

The need to focus on Complimentary The need to focus on Complimentary Systems to PAs and Natural Habitats y

Increasing demand for land for agricultural production and human habitations

The number and size of protected areas set aside for biodiversity conservation is getting close to a ma im m maximum

Significance of THG-RF managed Significance of THG-RF managed landscapes for biodiversity conservation

• The integrated THG-RF systems contribute to

i bi di i id d d sustain biodiversity outside protected areas and natural ecosystems.

• They serve in linking fragmented natural forests

y g g and wetlands, as complementary corridors that facilitate the movement of wild animals.

Issues

• THG-RF agro-ecosystems have been

maintained in a sustainable manner over many millenia. y

• Modern agricultural practices have caused

profound modifications to traditional profound modifications to traditional managed landscapes, disrupting the ecology

• f these systems.

The Way Forward

F i lt i t d ti bi l i t Farmers, agriculturists and conservation biologists should work closely to conserve and sustain traditional agricultural systems。 agricultural systems。 They should promote/maintain a mosaic of habitats, within the wider agricultural landscape. Th k Y Thank You