A Coastal wetland of Natural origin located in the Wet Zone of the Southern province and a Ramsar Site. The Maduganga estuary and mangrove islets are a complex coastal wetland ecosystem situated within Balapaitiya and Karandeniya in the Galle District. The total area of the estuary is 915 ha, of which 770 ha consist of open water, while 15 islands account for 145 ha. The estuarine area comprises of 10 different wetland vegetation types which have contributed to a rich biodiversity, with 303 plant species belonging to 95 families. Mangroves (Rhizophora-Bruguiera-Sonneratia community) and mangrove mixed swamps (Rhizophora-Dolichandrone-Hibiscus community) are the most abundant (125 ha) vegetation types. This mixed vegetation makes Maduganga an ideal ecotone for a variety of bird species, including aquatic and terrestrial forms. 111 species of birds, of which 10% are winter migrants have been recorded from the area. Due to the lack of shorelines and mudflats, there is a low presence of waders. In total, 248 vertebrate species have been recorded, which include 70 species of fish, 12 amphibians, 31 reptiles, 111 bird species (13 winter migrants) and 24 mammal species. Of the invertebrates, 50 species of butterflies and 25 species of molluscs (14 terrestrial and 11 brackish water) have also been recorded.

Maduganga Estuary Related references