Browsing by Author "Perera, G. A. D."

Now showing 1 - 4 of 4

The carbon sequestration potential in different land use types of Muthurajawela environmental protected area (EPA) and wildlife sanctuary
(Faculty of Science, University of Kelaniya Sri Lanka, 2024) Priyantha, M. P.; Perera, G. A. D.; Gunawardene, A. R.; Rathanayake, R. R.
Wetlands are considered biologically significant and productive ecosystems that support a variety of life forms, similar to natural rainforests and coral reef ecosystems. The Muthurajawela Environmental Protected Area (EPA) and Wildlife Sanctuary in Sri Lanka is renowned for its rich biodiversity, unique wetland ecosystems, and critical environmental services. This study aims to assess the carbon sequestration potential across different land use types within this protected area. Specifically, it examines the total organic carbon (TOC) in soil and soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks across two soil depth layers, Layer A (0-15 cm) and Layer B (15-30 cm). The land use types considered include coconut cultivations, home gardens, industrial sites, landfills, mangrove forest, marshy land, sand fill and solid waste dumping site. The TOC and SOC stocks were analyzed as an average for each land use type in both layers. Results indicate varying levels of TOC and SOC stocks among the different land use types, with coconut cultivations and marshy lands exhibiting the highest TOC in soil and SOC stocks, followed by solid waste dumping sites. Marshy lands show consistent high TOC in soil with 12.24% and 12.31% across both layers, indicating significant organic matter accumulation, while Coconut cultivations exhibit TOC in soil, with 12.00% in layer A and 9.52% in layer B. In the same way Marshy Land exhibits the highest SOC stocks in both layers, with values of 59.18 Mg/ha and 53.42 Mg/ha for layers A and B, respectively while Coconut Cultivations also demonstrate SOC stocks, with values of 47.56 Mg/ha and 51.71 Mg/ha for layers A and B, respectively. Home gardens and industrial establishments had relatively lower TOC content in soil and SOC stock, while landfills and sand fills showed the lowest TOC in soil percentages. The ANOVA test conducted shows significant difference between land use types for SOC stocks in both Layer A and Layer B, with p-values less than 0.001, while the KruskalWallis tests reveal significant differences in TOC percentages across different land use types in both Layer A (H = 44.78, p < 0.001) and Layer B (H = 45.47, p < 0.001), indicating varying levels of organic carbon content among the different land uses. These findings highlight the importance of land use management in enhancing carbon sequestration potential of wetland ecosystems
Effectiveness of early stretching exercises for range of motion of the shoulder joint,state of axillary scar and quality of recovery in burnt patients admitted to burns unit of the national hospital of Sri Lanka
(University of Kelaniya, 2016) Perera, G. A. D.;
BACKGROUND: Burn injuries can result in long term impairment, limitation and restriction in participation in various activities in a patient’s life. The majority of burns occur in low- and middle-income countries and almost half occur in the Asian and south-east Asian regions. Axillary or shoulder burns often develop scar contracture with subsequent loss of shoulder movements and function. PURPOSE: This study was done to evaluate the effects of early stretching exercises programme on the range of' motion of the shoulder joint, state of axillary scar and quality of recovery in burnt patients in comparison to a control group. METHODS: A randomized controlled study was conducted in National hospital of Sri Lanka. Patient, from 15 to 55 years of age admitted to the burns unit with a total burn injury surface area (TBSA) of 10% to 45% involving the shoulder joint with axilla were selected. The subjects were randomized into two groups; intervention and a usual care control group. There were 110 patients in each group. A Study protocol was used in the management of intervention group for 14 days. The control group was subjected to usual protocol currently used in the unit.Range of Motion (ROM) was measured with a Universal Goniometer. Functional recovery (FR) was assessed with the Quick DASH questionnaire and the Abduction ladder. State of the axillary scar was assessed with the Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS). Data were obtained before and after the intervention phase on 3, 6 and 12 months of post burn period.RESULTS: The mean (SD) age of intervention group and control group were 29.76 [9. 81] and 30.3 l [9.45] respectively. The mean (SD) TBSA% of intervention group and control group were 26.15[9.45] and 24.60[9.56] respectively. There is a significant beneficial difference (p=0.000) in ROM, FR and the state of the axillary scar between the Intervention group and the control group. After 12 months of post burn, all the ROM which had been measured was h igher in subjects who were in the intervention group than in the control group. Mean scores of Quick DASH and the VSS values were less in the intervention group Compared to the control group. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that early sustained stretching exercise regime Significantly improved the ROM and functional recovery of the shoulder joint and scar condition of the axil1a after a severe axillary burn.
Phytoliths of selected Sri Lankan species of the family Cucurbitaceae
(Faculty of Science, University of Kelaniya Sri Lanka, 2022) Wijesinghe, K. G. T. K.; Perera, G. A. D.
Detecting the possibility of using phytoliths in archaeobotanical and paleoenvironmental investigations is a great necessity for the advancement of archaeological sciences. Since several edible plant species exist in the family Cucurbitaceae, the family receives central attraction in archaeobotanical research that deals with ancient agriculture and food consumption. However, the use of phytoliths in archaeobotanical studies in Sri Lanka is still in its infancy due to the lack of morphometric details related to the identification of species based on phytoliths. The present study aims to reveal the morphometric features of phytoliths in different plant parts (leaf, stem, petiole, fruit and flower) of nine species of the family Cucurbitaceae, viz. Citrullus lanatus, Cucumis melo, Cucumis sativus, Cucurbita maxima, Momordica charantia, Momordica denudata, Mukia maderaspatana Sechium edule and Zanonia indica, by wet oxidation method. The size (length and width) of phytoliths and their weight in 1 g of dried plant material were detected in three replicates per species while their shape was described using ICPN 2.0 nomenclature. Results revealed that C. maxima contained a significantly high mass of phytoliths compared to the rest of the examined species (p < 0.05), but no phytoliths were extracted from M. charantia and M. denudate by the used protocol. However, the shape of phytoliths of the above species does not allow the discrimination of these species into respective plant taxa. For a given plant species, the average length and width of phytoliths varied significantly in different plant parts (p <0.05) though the shape did not vary significantly. Therefore, predicting the commonly grown Cucurbitaceae plant species in Sri Lanka in archaeological species based on the shape or the size of phytoliths in soils of past vegetations becomes impossible. Therefore, phytolith studies should be combined with studying other palynomorph types, such as pollen, to gain undeniable conclusions.
The vegetation structure and floristic composition of tropical rainforest landscape, at Udakiruwa, Sri Lanka
(Faculty of Science, University of Kelaniya Sri Lanka, 2023) Sanjeewa, U. D. L.; Singhalage, I. D.; Perera, G. A. D.; Kaliyadasa, P. E.; Kumara, P. H. T.; Ediriweera, E. P. S. K.
The Udakiruwa rainforest fragments in the Uva province, Sri Lanka, represent the last remaining refugia in the Eastern part of the country. Within these forest fragments, populations of endemic plant species thrive, however, many of them are now threatened due to overexploitation of forest products and agricultural expansions. To address the conservation of these endangered species and the maintaining of ecosystem services in Udakiruwa forest fragments, baseline information is crucial. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the species composition and structure of the forests in both old-growth and secondary forest landscapes in Udakiruwa. In this study, we recorded the diameter and species composition of trees in 44 randomly located circular plots, where the tree diameter at breast height (DBH) was greater than 5 cm. The individuals were categorized into five DBH classes (5-9.9 cm, 10-29.9 cm, 30-49.9 cm, 50-69.9 cm, and >70 cm). A total of 1408 individuals, representing 79 species, 38 families, and 62 genera, were recorded from this comprehensive study. Out of the total number of species identified, 25 were endemic. Mallotus fuscescens and Dipterocarpus zeylanicus emerged as the most abundant species as 70% of the established experimental plots. However, the endemic species such as Shorea dyeri (5%), Euonymus walkeri (0.1%), Strombosia ceylanica (2%), Palaquium hinmolpedda (1%), Diospyros ebenoides (0.1%), Mangifera zeylanica (3%), Calophyllum tomentosum (0.1%), and Garcinia quaesita (1%) were found to be present in very low numbers. The total basal area of individuals in the site was measured to be 912.615 m2, and further investigation revealed that 28 out of 44 plots had experienced selective logging. Notably, 87.5% of recorded Shorea dyeri in the experimental plots fell under the DBH classes of 5-9.9 cm and 10-29.9 cm, while Dipterocarpus zeylanicus was most abundant in the DBH size class >70 cm. The calculated Shannon diversity index and evenness of species were 1.823 and 0.780, respectively, indicating a diverse and relatively balanced ecosystem. However, sites closer to rubber cultivations and those located at the forest edge reported a high disturbance index (7.879), suggesting the impact of human activities on these fragmented lowland forests. The lowland fragmented forest landscapes of Udakiruwa are rich with many endemic species, emphasizing the urgent need for immediate conservation actions to conserve this unique rainforest ecosystem.