PDF Block A Annotations for Biodiversity Medium Size Projects
Part I – Eligibility- Project name:
- GEF Implementing Agency:
(UNDP)
3. Country or countries in which the project is being implemented:
Sri Lanka / 4. Country eligibility:
Sri Lanka ratified the CBD 23/03/1994
- GEF focal area(s), and/or cross-cutting issues:
The project fits within GEF Strategic Priority 2 in the Biodiversity focal area: “Mainstreaming biodiversity conservation in production landscapes and sectors”. /
- Operational program/Short-term measure:
7. Project linkage to national priorities, action plans, and programs:
Sri Lanka, though small in size, has a varied climate and topography, which has resulted in a rich bio-diversity, and a wide range of ecosystems. Sri Lanka’s forest and related Eco-systems comprise of a range of forest types including tropical wet evergreen forest, moist evergreen forest to Savannas, Riverines and Dry montane grassland dry patanas. Similarly inland wetland Eco-system comprises flood plains, swamps streams and rivers to wet montane grassland wet patanas. Sri Lanka’s coastal and marine Ecosystems comprise Mangroves, salt marshes, lagoons and estuaries, as well as coral reefs and coastal seas. The agricultural ecosystem is a system of paddy lands, crop plantations, home gardens and “Chena” (slash and burn) lands.
This high diversity of Eco-systems has provided habitats for rich species diversity and climatic variants of individual species, particularly among plants. In terms of plant species diversity, over 2,268 species of flowering plants and 314 species of ferns and fern allies have been recorded in Sri Lanka. Similarly, the country supports a high faunal diversity. Sri Lanka has been listed as one of the 25 bio-diversity “hotspots”, in the world. The value of bio-diversity has been recognized by the people and the Government of Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka became a signatory and ratified the Convention on Biological Diversity in March 1994.
Biodiversity Conservation in Sri Lanka; A framework for Action has been formally approved by the Sri Lanka Government in the year 1998 and this is now being updated. This document calls for research on the impacts of Invasive Alien Species (IAS) on native biodiversity and the development of strategies and regulatory mechanisms for their control/eradication. The priority needs in relation to regulating IAS in Sri Lanka were identified at the first National Workshop on IAS held in October 1999 by the then Ministry of Forestry and Environment. These included the creation of greater awareness on the costs of IAS amongst policy makers, planners and amongst the general public; training of enforcement personnel; strengthening regulatory rules and procedures; scientific research on the impacts of IAS and control methods; valuation of economic impacts for promoting policy measures; and the promotion of a unified approach to regulation through co-operation and stakeholder empowerment. These issues were reiterated at a national preparatory workshop held in March 2001, prior to the Sixth Meeting of the Subsidiary Body for Scientific, Technical and Technological Advise (SBSTTA-6) of the CBD, which developed national positions on SBSTTA-6 Agenda items including IAS. Sri Lanka has signed and ratified the convention on biological diversity and to implement the article 8(h) i.e. prevent the introduction of, control or eradicate those alien species, which threaten Eco-system, habitat or species. The Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources is the focal point for the implementation of this convention.
Under the auspices of the Ministry following action plans also have been prioritized:
Prepare a national list of invasive alien species of plants and animals,
Provide and coordinate assistance for the on-going research and development activities on invasive fauna and flora,
Prepare a potential global list of invasive fauna and flora.
National workshop was held in October 1999 on Alien Invasive Species in Sri Lanka to create awareness and initiate necessary action. Following key recommendations were made in this National Workshop:
Develop a national Strategy /Action Plan and a comprehensive set of clear guidelines to prevent introduction , eradicate and mitigate the impacts of IAS;
Carry out a comprehensive capacity building and awareness programs on such species for personnel in all appropriate line agencies , especially the Customs Department and plant and Animal Quarantine stations;
Establish a national database IAS and to monitor the activities highlighted in the workshop;
Carry out country wide awareness programs on IAS and establishment of a reporting system;
Discuss with the Ministry of Education to include IAS in school curricula at least in the AL syllabi;
Prepare an interactive compact disc (CD) providing visual details and specifications of as much IAS as possible to assist in identification by the personnel at Customs Department, Board of Investment
This course of action also receive guidance and assistance from the World Conservation Union (IUCN) and the National Experts Committee on Biological Diversity.
8 GEF national operational focal point and date of country endorsement:
Secretary, Ministry of Forestry and Environment. April 11 th, 2003
9 Project rationale and objectives:
Sri Lanka, though being a small island of 65,610 km2, a wide range of topographic and climatic variation has resulted in a multitude of ecosystems. These ecosystems have in turn contributed to an extremely high level of species diversity, which is known to be higher than in most other tropical Asian countries, when measured per unit area. Furthermore, isolation from the Indian sub-continent since the late Miocene has led to the evolution of many endemic species. While the island has been recognized as one of the 25 ‘biodiversity hotspots’ of global significance by conservation biologists, it is also one of the eight hottest hotspots in terms of habitat loss (Myers et al., 2000). The latter aspect is of serious concern and several anthropogenic factors have contributed to the degradation and deterioration of natural habitats and ecosystems, and thereby resulting in harmful consequences on species which inhabit them. Beside the harmful factors related to human population growth in Sri Lanka, there is yet another danger to the island’s biological diversity – the growing threat of invasive alien species (IAS) (Bambaradeniya, 2000).
It has been well documented that invasive alien species (IAS) have resulted in massive and rapid losses of biodiversity, especially in island communities (Clout, 1995). Sri Lanka, being a small island with a rich biodiversity, the threat of alien invasive biota is very real. The vast arrays of wetland and terrestrial ecosystems of the island are invaded by several species of alien biota, hence causing a threat to native biodiversity.
Observations made during the six years have led to the documentation of 20 species of invasive alien fauna and 39 species of invasive alien flora spreading in natural and semi-natural ecosystems in the different bio-climatic zones of Sri Lanka. The invasive alien fauna includes 15 species of vertebrates (freshwater fish – 9, Reptiles – 1, mammals – 5) and 5 species of invertebrates (mollusks – 5). The invasive alien flora includes 2 pteridophytes, 2 monocots and 35 dicots. Among the total IAS documented in Sri Lanka, 10 species of fauna and 13 species of flora are included in the list of 100 of the world’s worst IAS. At present, the ornamental fish trade and the ornamental plant/horticulture trade are two major contributory sources to the introduction of IAS in Sri Lanka.
Adverse impacts of IAS on the bio diversity
The major impacts of IAS on the bio diversity can be summerized under the following categories: Direct exploitation or destruction of native species; superior competitors for resources; hybridization with native biota; agricultural pests and other effects.
Direct exploitation or destruction of native species:This is the biggest threat posed by IAS on native organisms. Most IAS destroys or depletes native biota by being active predators or herbivores. In addition, alien invasive fauna can also function as vectors, which transmit diseases to vulnerable native species. Among the invasive alien fish in Sri Lanka, five species (O. mykiss, C. chitala and P. reticulata, G. affinis and C. batrachus) are active predators of native aquatic fauna. The Rainbow trout (O. mykiss) occurs in cold streams of the montane zone, mainly in the Horton Plains National Park, which is also known to be the sole locality of the endemic shrimp Caridina singhalensis. As the trout is known to feed on aquatic organisms such as crabs, shrimps, insects and other fish, it is possible that it has effected the populations of the above endemic shrimp as well as other endemic crabs (ie., Ceylonthelphusa sorror) in the montane zone streams. The Clown-knife fish (Chitala chitala) is a large voracious carnivore, which feeds on, slow moving native fish. As it is spreading rapidly in the streams, rivers, ponds and marshes of the wet zone, it may have affected the populations of the above endemic shrimp as well as other endemic crabs (i.e., Ceylonthelphusa sorror) in the montane zone streams. The Clown-knife fish (Chitala chitala) is a large voracious carnivore, which feeds on, slow moving native fish. As it is spreading rapidly in the streams, rivers, ponds and marshes of the wet zone, it may have already affected the populations of the endemic fish, which are mainly distributed in this zone. The guppy (P. reticulata), which is a prolific breeder distributed in aquatic habitats throughout Sri Lanka, and it has been observed to feed on the eggs of native amphibians. The recently introduced red-eared slider (T. scripta) is a carnivorous turtle that can pose a serious threat to native aquatic vertebrate fauna. The domestic/feral cat (Felis catus) is a serious threat to native reptiles, birds and small mammals, as it is a stealthy predator. The domestic/feral dogs also pose a similar threat to native vertebrates. It has been documented that domestic/feral dogs avidly search and feed on the eggs of marine turtles, in coastal areas in Sri Lanka. Some of the alien invasive fish and mollusks also known to function as vectors of various diseases that affect native fauna.
Superior competitors for resources:
All invasive alien fauna acts as superior competitors of resources and thereby displace native biota. For instance, among the alien freshwater fish species, the Tilapia (O. mossambicus) is non-selective in its diet and breeds prolifically, enabling it to colonize tanks, reservoirs and slow-flowing rivers, while displacing some of the native inhabitants such as Labeo lankae and L. dussumieri, of which the former is considered as a highly threatened endemic species in Sri Lanka. The feral buffalo and cattle pose a threat to native large herbivores such as deer, sambhur and elephant by competing for limited food resources, especially in the dry zone habitats. The wallowing habit of buffaloes in water makes the aquatic habitats muddy, thereby deterring other animals such as elephants that visit water holes to drink water. The feral buffaloes have also contributed to changes in vegetation communities in natural ecosystems.
The invasive alien plants form thickets and shades out native vegetation, and thereby displace them gradually. Typical examples in the island include Mesquite (Prosopis juliflora) and the Prickly pear cactus (Opuntia stricta) that has formed uniform stands in the arid zone scrubland, and the Pond Apple (Annona glabra) that has invaded the coastal marshes of Sri Lanka. At the extreme level, the invasive alien plants may entirely modify the structure and function of an ecosystem, which could occur in many ways. For instance, the invasive plant species can produce substances that are toxic to other native plant species (allelopathic substances) and thereby make the soil unsuitable for the original native plant communities. The aquatic invasive alien plants that form dense mats (i.e., Water hyacinth – Eichhornia crassipes and Salvinia – Salvinia molesta) tends to accumulate greater amount of sediment, and this, coupled with high loss of water through increased transpiration ultimately converts wetland into terrestrial habitats. The final outcome of such uniform stands of alien invasive plants is the narrowing down of native biological diversity in a particular locality.
Hybridization with native species:
The two species of exotic mammals (R. rattus and B. bubalis) have become agents of hybridization, where they have interbred with indigenous sub-species. Three sub-species of the house rat (R. r. rattus, R. r. alexandrianus, and R. r. rufescens) have been accidentally introduced to Sri Lanka by ships. These have now interbred with the two local sub-species (R. r. kandianus, R. r. kelaarti) to form mixed populations (Phillips, 1980). Similarly, the domestic buffalo has interbred with the native wild water buffalo (B. bubalis), to form feral populations.
Agricultural pests:
Several species of invasive alien fauna function as agricultural pests throughout the island. The ship rat (R. rattus) and the house mouse (Mus musculus) are major grain feeding pests of rice. The giant african (A. fulica) snail and slugs (L. alte) are pests of agricultural/ horticultural crops. The two recently introduced garden slugs – D. reticulatum and D. caruanae are posing a serious threat to vegetable cultivations in the Nuwara-Eliya District. It is also reported that farmers are using substantial doses of pesticides to control these garden slug species, without much success. The feral buffalo (B. bubalis) also cause damage to various agricultural crops, mainly in the dry zone of Sri Lanka. The introduced aquatic snail belonging to the Genus Pomacea, commonly called the Golden Apple Snail (GAS), was imported to Sri Lanka during the early 1980’s by the ornamental fish traders. Today, it is rapidly spreading in aquatic ecosystems throughout Sri Lanka, as it is a prolific breeder. Recently, the Department of Agriculture was able to identify one specimen of Apple Snail as Pomacea bridgsi. However, based on external morphological features, there seems to be two species Pomacea that are currently spreading in Sri Lanka, and taxonomic work is in progress now. It would be important to know whether Pomacea cannaliculata is present in Sri Lanka, as this species is considered to be a serious pest of rice, causing severe economic damage especially in the Southeast Asian region.
Among the invasive alien flora in Sri Lanka, some species function as weeds in agricultural ecosystems, and thereby result in economic losses to farmers. These include P. hysterophorus, E. crassipes, S. molesta, C. odorata, L. camara, M. micrantha, I. cylindrica, P. maximum, T. diversifolia, M. invisa and C. hirta.
Other impacts of IAS:
Some IAS facilitate the establishment and spread of another alien invader or contribute to other environmental disasters. For instance, the feral buffalo and cattle feed on the pods of Mesquite (Prosopis juliflora) and hence facilitate the spread of the latter alien invasive plant in the arid zone of Sri Lanka. Furthermore, the disturbances to natural habitats caused by feral buffalo, cattle and unmanaged domestic pigs facilitate the establishment of alien invasive plants. Some invasive alien plants such as Lantana camara and Chromalaenaodorata facilitate the spread of forest fires as well, causing severe damage to native ecosystems and species. Certain invasive alien animals function as vectors of diseases that affect man and livestock. For instance, the ship rat (R. rattus) functions as a vector of Leptospirosis virus, while the feral cats (F. catus) and dogs (C. familiaris) are vectors of the rabies virus.Some beneficial attributes of IAS to native biodiversity
Not all IAS are entirely bad. Some invasive alien plants provide food and cover for native fauna. For instance, the thick Gorse (Ulex europaeus) stands in the Horton Plains area serve as a good habitat of the endemic Black-lipped lizard (Calotes nigrilabris) and several amphibians, providing them with food (i.e.., insects attracted to flowers) and cover. It is also a nesting habitat of birds. The invasive alien shrub Eupatorium riparium in the montane region serves as a browsing plant of the sambhur. The berries of Lantana camara is fed upon by several species of birds. The fruits of Strawberry Guava (Psidium littorale) and Cactus (Opuntia stricta) are eaten by langurs and monkeys. Therefore, when considering management options for IAS, land management should be given high priority in order to encompass such beneficial attributes of some IAS.
Institutional and policy constraints
Despite an appreciation of these varied and significant impacts of IAS, and in spite of ever-increasing flows of biological material to and from Sri Lanka, no single policy, law or strategy currently exists in Sri Lanka for managing the introduction (accidental or deliberate) and spread of IAS. The Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, the focal point for implementing the CBD, recognising the need for developing a cohesive management strategy, held the first National Workshop on IAS in October 1999 to identify areas in need of priority attention. These included: