Identification of Priority Areas for Conservation of Threatened Agamid Lizards of Sri Lanka Using Species Distribution Modeling

Sinharaja Forest Reserve, along with the Peak Wilderness Sanctuary and Knuckles Mountain Range, has been identified as a critical conservation hotspot for threatened agamid lizards in Sri Lanka. Using Species Distribution Modeling (SDM), researchers mapped the distribution of 14 endangered species, revealing that over 40% of their high-priority habitats remain unprotected despite some overlap with existing protected areas. This study highlights the urgent need to expand conservation efforts beyond current boundaries, particularly for poorly documented species. By integrating IUCN status, occurrence records, and range size, the research provides a data-driven approach to prioritize biodiversity protection in one of the world's most significant hotspots.

Wijerathne, I., Karunarathna, S., Sursinghe, T., Vidanapathirana, D. R., Ukuwela, K., Wickramasinghe, S., Sarathchandra, C., Gunatilake, J., Jiang, A., Goodale, E., & Fernando, S. (2025). Identification of Priority Areas for Conservation of Threatened Agamid Lizards of Sri Lanka Using Species Distribution Modeling. Integrative Conservation, 4(2), 188–204. Portico. https://doi.org/10.1002/inc3.70019