Mangrove Forest and River Excursions in Sri Lanka

Mangroves are a unique ecosystems found in coastal areas and usually at the mouths of rivers. The swampy soil found within these areas makes it possible for mangroves to flourish, where seawater submerge the earth. Mangroves are notable for having characteristics of the bark of the trunk roots being above water. If you were to explore mangrove forests, then indulging in river excursions in Sri Lanka’s swampy surroundings are the best way to go about it.

Where to Find Mangrove Forests

There are many types of mangroves found in Sri Lanka, almost covering the extent of 12,000 hectares, and mostly on the north-western, south, and south-western coasts of the island. You are most likely to experience dense mangrove forests in the areas of the Puttalam Lagoon and Kalpitiya regions, Trincomalee with the likes of a river excursions in Sri Lanka.

The Uniqueness of a Mangrove

These unique types of flora are associated with coastal saline and brackish waters where there is a significant amount of high salinity and low oxygen conditions, and not to mention the variability of high amounts of light and winds, and also possibility of seawater inundation. The wonder of these plants are its ability to adapt in the changing habitat. It is able to adapt in an environment where there is water-logged, there is little oxygen and not to mention salinity in the soil. During a river excursions in Sri Lanka, you will be able to notice the anatomy of the plant that features the roots and shoots. There are cable, breathing and prop roots to accommodate stability in the soil conditions and water levels.

Exploring via River Excursions in Sri Lanka

Despite all these conditions, it thrives as an extremely productive wetland ecosystem, facilitating the growth and prosperity of the likes of other flora and fauna in Sri Lanka, and not to mention microbial organisms too. There are 14 mangrove species and 12 associated mangrove species recorded in Sri Lanka, and home to a variety of species making it a nature photographers dream setting as the mangrove forests make for a great habitat for many coastal animals. Armed only with a camera, mangrove forests and river excursions in Sri Lanka is quite an enchanting way to experience the coastal and river ecosystems of the island.

You are able to catch sightings the likes of the following during mangrove forest and river excursions in Sri Lanka;

Fiddler Crabs
Mud Skippers
Purple-face Leaf Monkeys
Sri Lanka Slender Loris
Asian Fishing Cat
Sri Lankan Golden Palm Cat
Eurasian Otters
Bats
Shrews
Herons
Egrets
Teals
Kingfishers
Waders
Cormorants
Crocodiles (Estuarine and Mugger Crocodiles)
Common Bronzeback
Checkered Keelback
Water Monitor Lizards
Common Garden Lizard
Fish types from freshwater forms, brackish water forms, and marine-brackish migratory species