Sri Lankan Moist Forests - A Global Ecoregion
More than 250 species of frogs, 57 found only in these forests
Snapshot: Ecoregion 21
Size:
15,500 sq. km (6,000 sq. miles)
15,500 sq. km (6,000 sq. miles)
Habitat type:
Tropical and Subtropical Moist Broadleaf Forests
Geographic Location:
Southwestern Sri Lanka
Conservation Status:
Critical/Endangered
Quiz Time!
Is it true that this ecoregion has an abundance of frog species?
Answer:
Yes, Indeed! These forests are a global hotspot for frogs with more than 250 existing species! Most of the frogs found here live high in the forest canopy, and their entire global range can measure a few square miles.
About the Area
This Global ecoregion is made up of these terrestrial ecoregions: Sri Lanka montane rain forests; Sri Lanka lowland rain forests. The southwest corner of Sri Lanka has a rainforest climate, with up to 5,000 millimeters of rain annually.
Sri Lanka's rainforests contain numerous endemic plants in addition to several butterflies, birds, reptiles, and mammals that also have limited distributions.Local Species
Among the bird species found only in these forests are Sri Lankan wood pigeon (Columba torringtoni), Green-billed coucal (Centropus chlororhyncus), Ceylon magpie (Urocissa ornata), Sri Lanka grey-hornbill (Ocyceros gingalensis), and Yellow-fronted barbet (Megalaima flavifrons).
Mammal species found on the island include Toque macaque (Macaca sinica), Asiatic striped palm squirrel (Funambulus layardi), the endemic Kelaart's long-clawed shrew (Feroculus feroculus), Ceylon giant squirrel, the endangered Asian elephant (Elephas maximus), and the threatened leopard (Panthera pardus).
Threats
Most of the forests have been cut for fuel wood or cleared for agriculture. The remnants in the southern lowlands and the montane habitats protected in the Sinharaja Natural Heritage Wilderness Area, are globally significant for their biodiversity.
Resources
• NationalGeographic.com
