An Inland wetland of Natural origin located in the Wet Zone of the Central province. The area contains the largest single extent of wet montane patana grasslands and montane dwarf-forests in Sri Lanka . Horton Plains is regarded to be one of the most important water catchment areas in the country as the lower part of the grassland is important for collection and storage of the headwaters of a number of important rivers such as the Mahaweli, Walawe and Kelani. Slow flowing streams, waterlogged swamps and waterfalls are the prominent wetland types. The area is rich in biodiversity with high endemicity. Horton Plains National Park (HPNP) is also a popular tourist destination in Sri Lanka . The HPNP is located on the southern plateau of the central hills. It is dominated by Mount Totupolakanda (2,357m) to the north and by Mount Kirigalpotta (2,389m) to the west, which are Sri Lanka ?s third and second highest peaks respectively. The Precambrian rocks found in this area belong to a Highland series and consist mainly of granite rocks. The soil is of the red-yellow podsolic group while a thick black layer of decayed and decaying leaf and plant matter covers the surface layer. The mean annual rainfall is over 2000 mm, while high humidity and frequent cloud cover limits the amount of sunlight reaching the plants. The temperature can vary from highs of up to 270C during the day to less than 50C during the night. Strong winds are common during the southwest monsoon period and can sometimes reach gale force strengths. Seven hundred and forty four plant species distributed among 20 families have been recorded. The grasslands are plagioclimax communities characterized by frequent fire and grazing. The grasslands are dominated by Arundinella villosa and Chrysopogon zeylanicus. Wet or water logged swamps and slow flowing streams can be found between knolls and depressions. Submerged aquatic macrophytes like Aponogeton jacobsonii the sedge Isolopis fluitans and a bladderwort Utricularia spp. are found in the slow flowing streams of Horton Plains. The bamboo Arundinaria densifolia exists along most of the stream banks. In waterlogged depressions and swampy areas Juncus primatocarpus, Garnotia mutica, Eriocaulon spp. and Exacum trinervium are common species. Twenty four species of mammals, 87 species of birds, 9 species of reptiles and 8 species of amphibians have been recorded.

Horton Plains National Park Related references