Evaluating the occurrence and conservation status of Sri Lankan species of Anacardiaceae

Abstract

Sri Lanka is a tropical island with variety of climatic, geographical and weather combinations. These significant variations have resulted high biodiversity in the country. Sri Lanka together with the Western Ghats is one of the biodiversity hotspots. Presently, Sri Lanka harbors 3,154 species of Angiosperm families of which 894 are endemic. The family Anacardiaceae is one of the flora groups that did not attract attention of the researchers. However, 47.4% of this family, including 46.7% endemics was considered as nationally threatened during the National Red listing in 2012. This study was carried out to investigate the current occurrence and conservation status of the members of this family. Observations on plant species were made in both protected and un-protected areas. This study present the recent occurrences of 14 species in 6 genera with 11 endemics belongs to this family. These species are dispersed in two strict nature reserves, one Man and Biosphere Reserve, one sanctuary, five forest reserves and two un-protected locations. Among the observed species 35.7% including 36.4% endemics are accounted as nationally threatened which includes ‘Critically Endangered’, ‘Endangered’ and ‘Vulnerable’ species. This information will be contributed to establish precise conservation measures and updating of the conservation status of these species in Global and National level red listing.

Keywords

• sri lankan anacardiaceae, semecarpus, conservation status