Avifaunal Richness and Composition Along the Land-Use Gradient of the Endane Biodiversity Corridor Landscape, Nivithigala, Sri Lanka

A study of the Endane Biodiversity Corridor (EBC) in Sri Lanka reveals that restored areas act as critical ecological intermediaries, bridging natural and human-modified habitats while supporting high avifaunal richness and distinct species compositions. The research recorded 111 bird species across four land-use types—restored area (RA), home gardens (HG), productive tea lands (PT), and Walankanda Forest Reserve (WFR)—with RA showing the highest species diversity (100 species) and functioning as a connectivity hub, as evidenced by high Sørensen similarity indices with both HG and PT. Significant variation in Margalef’s richness index among land-use types underscores the importance of habitat restoration for avian biodiversity, while PERMANOVA confirmed distinct avifaunal communities in each habitat. The findings highlight the EBC's role in sustaining endemism (21 endemic species) but also note persistent threats such as illegal mining and encroachment, emphasizing the need for long-term monitoring to understand temporal dynamics.

Kodithuwakku, K. A. I. A., Perera, A., Geekiyanage, N., & Wickramasinghe, S. (2026). Avifaunal Richness and Composition Along the Land-Use Gradient of the Endane Biodiversity Corridor Landscape, Nivithigala, Sri Lanka. Proceedings of International Forestry and Environment Symposium, 30. https://doi.org/10.31357/fesympo.v30.8908