Factors Affecting the Vegetation Succession of Moist·Deciduous Forests at Sigiriya Sanctuar~SriLanka

Vegetation succession in moist deciduous forests at Sigiriya Sanctuary is characterized by a slow, progressive change dominated by shade-tolerant species rather than the accumulation of new colonists. Research indicates that young successional forests, even after abandonment from swidden farming, are dominated by agricultural weed and light-demanding shrub species due to high soil temperatures and low moisture levels. Seed predation further limits the establishment of climax forest species, including valuable timber trees, despite their presence in older forests. The study highlights the degraded state of these forests and emphasizes the critical need for protection and rehabilitation to ensure their perpetuity.

Perera, G. A. D. (2013). FACTORS AFFECTING THE VEGETATION SUCCESSION OF MOIST·DECIDUOUS FORESTS AT SIGIRIYA SANCTUAR~SRILANKA. Proceedings of International Forestry and Environment Symposium, 0(0). https://doi.org/10.31357/fesympo.v0i0.1497