Saltmarsh Halophytes in Mannar Landscape, Sri Lanka

Abstract: The coastal ecosystem diversity in Sri Lanka is a combination of several ecosystems which are estuaries, lagoons, beaches, rocky shores, sand dunes, salt marshes and mangroves. Saltmarsh vegetation is mainly found in Northwestern and Southeastern regions in Sri Lanka. This ecosystem in the Northern region of Sri Lanka have not received any attention from ecologists for a long period of time. This review studying the saltmarsh vegetation, mainly halophyte species in Mannar landscape, Sri Lanka. The unique features of salt marsh vegetation, previous and current classifications of Sri Lankan saltmarsh vegetation and the physical morphological characteristics of saltmarsh halophytes in Mannar with the observations are focusing to communicating by this paper. The saltmarsh halophytes are unique vegetation including a conservational importance, the coastal studies are currently discussed as the issues of sea level rising with the global warming. Sri Lankan saltmarsh halophytes, Sesuvium portulacastrum, Salicornia branchiata, Suaeda maritima, Suaeda monoica, Suaeda vermiculata, Tecticornia indica (Halosarcia indica) and Cressa cretica are assessed unique physical characteristics, qualitative morphological features such as colour variations of plants with their age and other environmental factors. Since this coastal wetland has numerous ecological, economical and other variety of values, conserving these habitats are very important. Saltmarsh halophytes consist with important physical and chemical properties are also adding a greater importance to the coastal wetlands. Since restoring or rehabilitation of a coastal habitat is a costly and time-taking process compare to the terrestrial habitats the scope of this review is highlighting the uniqueness and conserving importance to the society. Keywords: Coastal ecosystem, Conservation, Halophytes, Saltmarsh vegetation, Species, Morphological characteristics. Title: Saltmarsh Halophytes in Mannar Landscape, Sri Lanka Author: G. Madushika M. Kumari, K.B Ranawana, Sanjeewa Jayaratne International Journal of Novel Research in Life Sciences ISSN 2394-966X Vol. 9, Issue 6, November 2022 - December 2022 Page No: 1-14 Novelty Journals Website: www.noveltyjournals.com Published Date: 02-November-2022 DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.7274161 Paper Download Link (Source) https://www.noveltyjournals.com/upload/paper/Saltmarsh%20Halophytes-02112022-6.pdfInternational Journal of Novel Research in Life Sciences, ISSN 2394-966X, Novelty Journals, Website: www.noveltyjournals.co