bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Attitudes Towards Turtle Conservation: An Island Wide Study in Sri Lanka
Authors: Ranasinghe H.M.D.M.  , Gunawardena U.A.D.P.  
Published: February 2024

Sri Lanka is visited by the five of the seven living sea turtle species recorded in the world. Sea turtle populations are declining, as is their ability to perform critical services in ocean ecosystems. Some of the obvious risks faced by marine turtles in Sri Lanka include incidental bycatch, illegal egg poaching, habitat change, destruction, and natural causes such as predation and erosion. Attitudes towards conservation of turtles and underlying motives for such attitudes is a lesser researched subject in the country. The present study therefore aims at assessing the attitudes of Sri Lankans towards conservation of sea turtles. A household survey was conducted using a pre-tested questionnaire adopting simple random sampling among 1084 households across the twenty-five districts of Sri Lanka through telephone and in-person interview from December 2021 to May 2022. The socioeconomic data of respondents, membership in a wild life or environmental organizations, recreational experience of turtles were also collected. A set of statements on sea turtles were presented for which the respondents indicated their preferences. Their willingness to contribute towards conservation was also recorded. The results of the study indicate that individuals from twenty-five districts had already been exposed to a wealth of knowledge regarding marine turtles and were well-informed. There were 603 individuals from coastal districts while 481 were from non-coastal districts. The average age was 45 years while number of respondents who had a membership of any environmental related wildlife organization was 164. Seventy four percent of the sample had seen live marine turtles; 37.6% of them had seen marine turtles in zoological gardens. Majority of respondents strongly agreed that (84% on average) sea turtles are worth protecting. Forty one percent of respondents agreed that it is everyone‘s duty to ensure the existence of plants and animals for future generations, showing that respondents had bequest motive for marine turtle conservation. Majority (63.3%) of respondents strongly agreed that sea turtles have the right to exist in the environment, showing that there is a strong existence motive for the conservation of sea turtles. The study emphasize the need to better utilize the strong motives of people for sea turtle conservation efforts in Sri Lanka that requires attention of legislators and decision-makers.
Keywords: Sea turtle, Attitudes, Conservation, Motives
Valuation of the Bar Reef Marine Sanctuary from the Perception of the Visitors
Authors: Jayaratne C.T.  , Gunawardena U.A.D.P.  , Wattage P.  , Edirisinghe J.C.  
Published: February 2024

Bar Reef is a diverse ecosystem with near shore coral reefs, sea grass beds and associated ecosystems with over 120 coral species and over 300 fish species reported from the surrounding sea. It has been declared as a marine sanctuary by the Department of Wildlife Conservation in 1992. Despite of the efforts it is subjected to over exploitation by extractive users, destructive fishing practices and visitor pressure on the ecosystem. The study sought to value the ecosystem degradation prevailing in the bar reef from the perception of the visitors using choice experiment method. Different attributes for the choice experiment were identified using two focus group discussions and 10 key informant interviews held prior to the mail survey. Identified attributes were level of plastic accumulated, use of illegal fishing nets, level of crowding and monetary contribution. An orthogonal main effect design was generated and 9 choice cards were prepared, each with 4 different attributes. Randomly selected 250 visitors were interviewed onsite during January to June 2021 and conditional logit model was used to analyze the significance of their preferences. Paying LKR 1,000, reducing crowding the beach area by 15% and reduction of plastic and polythene by 50% were the significant factors according to the results obtained at α=0.01. People are willing to pay LKR 1,001.18 if plastic pollution can be reduced by 50%. People are willing to pay LKR 998.92 if the crowding of the beach can be reduced by 15%. The results of this research emphasize the importance of protecting this habitat to the relevant stakeholders. Further, this research will enable to introduce new policies and practices so that sustainability of the ecosystem can be ensured.
Keywords: Ecosystem sustainability, Choice experiment, Conditional logit, Marine plastic pollution, Visitor access management
Estimation of Aboveground and Belowground Carbon Stocks in Homegardens of Low Country Wet Zone, Sri Lanka
Authors: Nilupuli M. D.  , Lokupitiya E. Y. K.  
Published: February 2024

Homegardens are one of the most significant and oldest types of land use systems in Sri Lanka which have been recognized as an essential component in providing a variety of ecosystem services. In these systems, trees and shrubs are grown together with food crops under family labor, creating a multitude of biological interactions. Due to rich tree diversity and density, homegarden agroforestry systems are known to have a great capacity to capture and store carbon in their biomass and soil, and thus greatly contribute to mitigation of climate change. Even though the importance of homegardens with regard to the above is highlighted significantly, large knowledge gaps remain on their total carbon storage potential, particularly in low country wet zone homegardens of Sri Lanka. Therefore, the current study aims to estimate the total aboveground and belowground carbon stocks of homegardens in Kalutara district. The study was conducted in ten homegardens ranging from 0.15 Ha to 0.43 Ha. The study focused on all perennial woody trees present in the homegardens. Heights and diameters at breast height (DBH) were measured in a total of 966 woody trees. Aboveground biomass of each tree was calculated nondestructively, using allometric equations which incorporated wood density, DBH and tree height. Belowground biomass was calculated using root: shoot ratios of trees. Total biomass of each tree was converted to total carbon stocks using a conversion factor of 0.5 extracted from literature, considering that total carbon stock of a tree is equivalent to half of its biomass. In order to get the total carbon stock, soil organic carbon (SOC) content of each home garden was analyzed in the laboratory from collected soil samples using the Loss-on-ignition method. Belowground biomass carbon stock and the SOC stock together were taken as the total belowground carbon stock of each homegarden. Estimated mean aboveground carbon stock was 91.4±11.4 Mg ha-1, while the mean belowground carbon stock was determined as 134.3±12.3 Mg ha-1 in low country wet zone home gardens. Aboveground carbon stock, together with the belowground carbon stock, was taken as the total carbon stock of the homegardens. Calculated total carbon stock per unit area for low country wet zone homegardens ranged between 179.873 Mg ha-1 and 286.606 Mg ha-1 with a mean value of 225.7±11.9 Mg ha-1. Above findings of the study present evidence for significant carbon storage capacity of low country wet zone homegardens.
Keywords: Homegarden, Low country, Wet zone, Carbon stock, Climate change
Review of Climate Change's Impacts on Tea Quality
Authors: Jayawardhana, J.M.S.S.  
Published: February 2024

Subsequent to water, tea is the most consumed beverage worldwide. Tea could be identified as one of the oldest drinks prevailing since prehistorical era. This article's objective is to expedite that there is any significant impact on the major four aspects of Tea namely quality—aroma, taste, color, and yield with climate change. While observing on how climate patterns affect the Tea yield and quality, Tea farmers who has long cultural traditions of managing tea plantations are among the most knowledgeable people according to the literature review. Warmer temperatures, increased weather unpredictability such as higher rain variability, and altered plant phenology, such as earlier bud burst, are just a few of the reported alterations. These tea growers assert that such weather variations directly affect commercial tea gardens. An early tea harvest is linked to higher temperatures. Extreme droughts, which are thought to have become more common recently, are associated with drier tea leaves with less blossoming. It is also said that tea harvested during a drought has a substantially stronger flavor and scent. Farmers report that tea harvested during exceptionally rainy periods has lovely leaves and increased blooming but a relatively watered-down flavor and scent. The drought this spring has benefited tea production since consumers enjoy the robust aroma and sticky-sweet aftertaste of the beverage. In the absence of any other changes, a rise in average temperatures imposed on by global warming will lessen the production of tea plantations. Climate change will have a higher impact on tea yield than any other tea characteristics, such as aroma, taste, or color. In addition to immediate benefits such research studies, actions to lessen the vulnerability of tea plantations to heat and precipitation variability will also aid in climate change adaptation.
Keywords: Climate Change, Aroma, Color, Taste, Yield
Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices among Medical Officers on Disaster Preparedness: Study from Base Hospital Panadura (BHP) and Kethumathi Maternity Hospital (KMH), Panadura in Western Province
Authors: Kumara P.G.H.  , Pathirana T.E.A.  , Wickramasinghe D.D.  , Premasiri H.M.R.  
Published: February 2024

Climate change is contributing to increased disasters in the world. As the disaster events are rising, health, socio-economic and political consequences are inevitable. Therefore, managing disasters to reduce the risk and impacts is given high priority in any development agendas. In this context, emergency and disaster preparedness have become a vital element in disaster management. To manage disaster induced health impacts that include deaths and injuries, hospitals play a major role. The objective of this study was to investigate the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of medical officers on disaster preparedness in two key hospitals in the country. The present study focused on the medical officers in Base Hospital Panadura (BHP) and Kethumathi Maternity Hospital (KMH) regarding disaster preparedness. Cross-sectional research was designed to collect data from the health personnel working in two hospitals through a questionnaire which was prepared and distributed online. Data were collected from 95 and 17 doctors, who were randomly chosen, from BHP and KMH respectively. The majority of the respondents (93%) stated that hospital disaster preparedness plans could assist in reducing morbidity and mortality during an event of a disaster. In both hospitals, 40% of respondents were familiar with the disaster preparedness (DP) programs and 60 % were aware that such programs exist in their hospital. Around 67% and 65% of the medical officers from BHP and KMH respectively had stated that the prior experience of the medical officers is the key to handling a post disaster health management. The statistical analysis indicated that knowledge and practices of the medical officers were significantly linked to DP while the attitudes of the participants did not demonstrate any link to the DP programs. In summary, enhancing knowledge and good practices aiming at post disaster medical care as well as enhanced disaster preparedness activities among the medical officers contribute to disaster risk reduction.
Keywords: Disaster preparedness, Knowledge, Attitudes, Practices, Medical officers
Analysis of Climate Variable and Fisherman Perception on Climate Change Divers in Negombo Lagoon Area
Authors: Fernando R.  , Bellanthudawa B.K.A.  , Halwatura D.  
Published: February 2024

Climate change has undoubtedly become one of the most contentious issues in the international environmental debates and has escalated the impacts on fishery industries and fishing communities globally. This study was conducted to quantify the variations in climate variables, and coastal vegetation that may affect the fisheries industry due to climate change over past three decades in the Negombo lagoon area. Further, the knowledge and awareness of fisheries and associated communities on climate change was investigate. To understand the dynamics of the precipitation and temperature, monthly data for 30 years (1989-2022) were collected from the Department of Meteorology and 19 Module Bio-climatic Variables (MBV) were calculated to determine the climatologycal variation. The change in the coastal vegetation was analyzed using the Landsat 8 satellite using ArcGIS 10.8. A questionnaire survey and a focus group discussion were carried out as assess the knowledge, awareness and impact of climate change in the fisheries community (n=80). The mean annual and minimum and maximum precipitation ranged from 118.6 mm-268.6 and 0.6 mm - 826.6 mm. The mean, maximum, and minimum temperatures varied from 28.8o C- 32.3o C, 33o C-34o C and 29o C-30o C. Out of 19 MBV variables, 9 variables had increasing trends while 3 variables had decreasing trend. The change percentage of coastal vegetation cover from 1992-2002, 2002-2012, 2012-2022 was observed as 35.71%, 4.99% and 6.13%. As per the peoples‘ knowledge of climate change, it was highlighted that around 50% of respondents does not have a proper idea on what is climate change (40% of respondents stated that the variation of precipitation and wind is the climate change drivers; Further, 40% of respondents attested that land use change with time has accelerated climate change while 30% of respondents mentioned that lack of coastal awareness and restoration programs is the second main reason for accelerated climate change that affect the fishery industry). The outcomes of the focus group discussion revealed that fishing activities are heavily affected by climate change drivers, and some engage in alternative jobs in extreme climatic conditions to feed their families. Finally, fishery communities highlighted the need for the government and other responsible authorities to take necessary actions to adapt and strengthen the resilience to climate change. This study corroborates the timely and topical obligation for sustainable fisheries management action planning for the Negombo area.
Keywords: Climate change, Coastal mangrove vegetation-precipitation-temperature change, Fisheries communities, Knowledge, Awareness, Negombo
A Study on the Potentiality of Bioethanol Production from Selected Weed Species of the Asteraceae Family
Authors: Alwis W.L.N.S.  , Pratheepkumar M.  , Ranganathan K.  
Published: February 2024

Increasing population growth, industrialization, and the harmful impacts of fossil fuel burning on the environment fascinated the researchers to find a low-cost, environmentally friendly alternative substitute. A potential substitute feedstock for the synthesis of second-generation bioethanol is the lignocellulosic biomass from invasive weedy plants. The aim of this study was to determine the potential of bioethanol production from two weedy plant species using physical, chemical, and physiochemical pretreatment methods, as well as to optimize the pretreatment and culture conditions to obtain a higher reducing sugar amount and ethanol yield. The collected invasive weedy plants, Chromolaena odorata and Tridax procumbens, were cleaned, then pretreated with different acids and bases (4% v/v) at 121oC for 15 min. Then the filtrate was incubated with Saccharomyces cerevisiae (baker‘s yeast) in the peptone yeast extract and nutrient medium (PYN) at room temperature, the pH was maintained at 5.0. T. procumbens plant substrate with the performic acid pretreatment agent produced a significant amount (0.2%) of ethanol, and further studies were conducted with the same substrate and the pretreatment agent. The conditions were optimized successively by changing one factor at a time while keeping the other variables constant. Several important hydrolysis factors were studied for the optimization, including performic acid concentration (0.2–5%), hydrolysis time (10–60 min), fermentation time (24–120 h), inoculum concentration (1.25–7.5 g/100 ml), and rotation speed (50–250 rpm). The maximum ethanol yield of 0.47% was observed at 0.6% performic acid concentration, 30 min of hydrolysis time, 48 h of fermentation time, 5 g/100 ml of inoculum concentration, and 100 rpm rotation speed with T. procumbens using S. cerevisiae.
Keywords: Bioethanol, Lignocellulosic biomass, Acid hydrolysis, Saccharomyces cerevisiae
In vitro Screening of Antioxidant and Anti-inflammatory Activities of Plant Extract Adenanthera pavonina
Authors: Wijesekara M.A.  , Goonerathne L.V.  , Soysa P.  , Perera D.B.  , Jayasena S.  , Jayasiri A.  , Kottahachchi D.U.  
Published: February 2024

Adenanthera pavonina (AP) is a medicinal herb used in traditional systems of medicine in Sri Lanka. It is considered a rich source of bioactive compounds as they are able to produce a great variety of secondary metabolites with great anticancer and antioxidant properties. In the present study, the bark of the plant was used and water extract was prepared in order to screen Total Phenolic Content (TPC), Total Flavonoid Content (TFC), Ferric ion reducing power, DPPH radical scavenging capacity, inhibition of lipid peroxidation, inhibition of protein oxidation and inhibition deoxyribose oxidation. Anti-inflammatory activity was screened in vitro using Human Red Blood cell Membrane stability assay (HRBM) and inhibition of protein denaturation assay. All methods were carried out according to the standard protocol. The TPC and TFC were 80.3±0.1 mg GA/g (Gallic Acid/g) and 46.1±0.1 mg EGCG/g (epigallocatechin gallate /g) respectively. The DPPH radical scavenging capacity, inhibition of lipid peroxidation, protein oxidation and deoxyribose oxidation were IC50, 15.8±0.5 (Gallic acid, 4.5±0.3 μg/ml), 46.1±0.5 μg/ml (Ascorbic acid , 58.4±2.2 μg/ml), 72.6±3.1 μg/ml (Ascorbic acid, 51.2±0.1 μg/ml) and 7.4±0.7 μg/ml (Ascorbic acid, 8.7±0.6 μg/ml) respectively. Reducing power of the AO extract increased with the concentration. HRBM and inhibition of BSA denaturation of AO extract were IC50 that 49.7±1.4 μg/ml (Diclofenac sodium, 47.8±2.1 μg/ml) and 29.1±1.5 (Diclofenac sodium 23.8±3.6 μg/ml) respectively. The results of the study suggest that the bioactive molecules present in the AP water extract can be used as a prototype for the development of new drugs or as a source of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory pharmaceutical raw material.
Keywords: Adenanthera pavonina, Inhibition of lipid peroxidation, Inhibition of protein oxidation, Inhibition deoxyribose oxidation.
Exploring the Potential of Geotourism with a Focus on Kahagolla Landslides Area in Sri Lanka
Authors: Senavirathna C.  
Published: February 2024

Geotourism is a new type of tourism based on geological features. As such, the primary goal of this research is to identify the possibility of converting protected natural hazard areas into profitable Geotourism sites. A geologic hazard visible in the geological environment is a natural event that occurs within the earth's crust which poses a threat to life and property. One such example is landslides. The Kahagolle landslide area is 3.5 ha in size and landslide prevention and mitigation activities have been conducted here as part of a Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) project costing millions of rupees. The attractiveness and profitability of this location lie in the availability of different landslide mitigation methods within a single area. Located along the Beragala-Hali Ela highway (A16) in close proximity to Haputale and Bandarawela, the site has the potential to attract many domestic as well as international tourists who visit the central hills of Sri Lanka. This was an inductive study using field observations as primary data, and content analysis of published papers and NBRO documents that have been used as secondary, qualitative data. The main conclusion drawn based on the results is that there certainly is a possibility of improving this area as a Geotourism site aimed at foreign and local tourists mainly for educational purposes. The recommendation is to build an information center with the capacity to raise awareness and enhance knowledge about the history of this landslide, the geological quality of the area along with details of the mitigation project. As such, tickets could be issued, and the site arranged into zones from top to bottom while the methods used could be shared with visitors.
Keywords: Geotourism, Landslides as tourist sites, Mitigation activities
Light Spectral Regimes under a Closed and Dense Canopy: Evidence from Mesua ferrea Trees for Human Comfort in Urban Landscape Planning
Authors: Makuloluwa M.W.H.B.K.  , Dahanayaka P.D.  , Silva K.S.U.S.  , Indramali O.S.  , Makuloluwa M.W.L.B.  , Beneragama C.K.  
Published: February 2024

Trees play an important role in urban landscape planning due to their multi-faceted functions including the provision of human comfort through shade and cooling and air pollution abatement. Mesua ferrea is the national tree of Sri Lanka with multi-colored leaves and pyramidal dense canopy architecture, which can be promoted to grow in roadside gardens and parks to gain more attraction and attention. It is important to know how different trees provide human comfort under the canopy. In the present study, we measured the transmittance spectra in the 318-885 nm range using a high-resolution spectroradiometer under the canopy of selected Mesua ferrea trees on bright sunny days. The change in shade casting on the ground during the day was modeled. In addition, the temperature, CO2, and relative humidity were also measured. The light transmittance through the canopy is reduced when moving from the outer edge of the canopy (1,142 μW.cm-2.nm1) to the trunk-base (0.82 μW.cm-2.nm-1) on the horizontal plane. It was obvious that the irradiance received closer to the base of the tree is not sufficient to support the understory plant growth. The irradiance levels of blue (B: 400-500 nm), red (R: 650-680 nm), and far-red (FR: 700-885 nm) components of the transmittance spectra under the canopy were also found significantly low compared to sunlight, with significantly altered R:B, R:FR and B:FR ratios. Importantly, a 14 fold cut down in the UV radiation (318-400 nm) under the canopy beyond half of the canopy diameter towards the trunk was also observed. Under the canopy, there was a temperature reduction of about 1° C on bright sunny days perhaps due to the reduced irradiance and the altered spectrum, and the reduced CO2 concentration (by 5%). We identified that the Mesua trees are suitable for human comfort, and thus can be recommended for roadside planting and for public parks in urban landscape planning.
Keywords: Shade caste, Radiation spectrum, Mesua ferrea, Landscape planning, Urban planning