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Ecosystems

Introduction

The Wilpattu National Park hosts a variety of habitats and unique environmental conditions. The main ecosystems at the park are Forest ecosystems, Wetlandecosystems and Coastal ecosystems, with multiple variations under each. These habitats provide the perfect surroundings for Wilpattu’s rich biodiversity.

 

The forest ecosystem is thedominating condition at the park and is referred to as the “Dry Evergreen Forest”, which include dense forest as well as thorny scrub jungles, while the rest is more open habitats. Both naturally occurring habitats and man-made habitats like the water tanks and ponds are crucial to the wildlife residing at the park, and for maintaining overall balance of the established ecosystems.

Ecosystems at Wilpattu

The Wilpattu National Park hosts a variety of rich landscapes.

Explore to find out more about the key ecosystems present at the park.

Ecosystems at Wilpattu

The Wilpattu National Park hosts a variety of rich landscapes.

Explore to find out more about the key ecosystems present at the park.

forest ecosystems

Forest Ecosystems

The Tropical Dry Evergreen Forests (TDEF) are the typical dry zone climax forests found in the park and are considered a safe haven for the valuable indigenous timber and wildlife. Based on the species composition and height of vegetation, several sub-types of the TDEF occur in Wilpattu. These include the tall forests with a canopy layer of less than 20m, medium-height forests, dwarf forests and rock-outcrop forests.

The tropical thorn forests (scrublands) are thick impenetrable thorny or spiny and woody vegetation growing up to 4-6m in height, while the Riverine Forests lay between streams and terrain and eventually lead to the Mangrove Habitats (See Coastal Ecosystem). Well-developed riverine forests associated with Kala Oya and Moderagam Aru providing convenient resting sites for birds, bats, reptiles, amphibians etc.

Lastly, the Dry Patana grasslands are common towards the western part of the WNP, especially in association with scrublands. They occur in a patchy manner, mostly on lands where the localities have been disturbed in historical times.

Inland Wetland Ecosystems

Inland Wetland Ecosystems

The Inland Wetland Ecosystems provide water to all wildlife which is crucial during the long dry spells known at Wilpattu. Flood plains, swamps, man-made tanks and ponds as well as the villus, provide precious water to many species at the park.

Tanks are found in association with the stream network of Wilpattu. Unlike villus, they have a clearly visible water outlet channel(s) and the body of water is surrounded by a narrow belt of wetland vegetation even during dry months. Several sub habitat types can be recognized in these wetlands, in relation to the temporal and spatial availability of water. Tanks such as Mahawewa, Maradanmaduwa, Percy bedi wewa and Andaragolawa are some of the tanks found in the park.

Coastal Ecosystems

Wilpattu National Park includes a 34 km stretch of coast belt that creates a remarkable experience at the park. The mangroves form the prominent coastal vegetation type, mainly confined to the Kala Oya estuary in the south-western border of the park. This mangrove system is one of the largest healthy mangrove forests in the island and extends upstream 2 km from the river mouth.

Red soiled beaches and sand dunes along with sea cliffs that rise over 20 m above sea level, can be seen by the coast. The beach vegetation is found in western part of the park in places where the land is gently sloped towards the sea. The physiognomy and floristic composition of the beach flora and associated minor sand dunes depend on the extent and steepness of the shore and the degree of ground stability.

The near-shore marine area is a highly productive area for fisheries, while it also harbors sea grass beds that attract the globally endangered Dugong for feeding.

Facts

Wilpattu means the “land of lakes” and hosts multiple water ways, both naturally and man-made.
Villus are shallow saucer-shaped water holes that fill with rain water and are rimmed by sandy dunes.
Most migratory birds and butterflies visit the park because of the abundant wetland ecosystems.
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