| Forest Classification |
Characteristics (Annual Avg.) |
Approximate Extent (Sq. km) On Island |
Districts Containing Forest Type * |
| Montane Forest |
Above 1500 m elevation Temperatures ~ 15 ° C Rainfall > 1800 mm with no moisture deficit period |
31 |
Nuwera Eliya Kandy
Badulla
Matale
Ratnapura |
| Sub-Montane Forest |
Within elevations of 1000 m to 1500 Temperatures 15 ° – 20 ° C Rainfall > 1800 mm |
690 |
Nuwera Eliya Ratnapura
Kandy
Matale
Badulla
Kegalle
Matara Anuradhapura Monaragala |
| Lowland Rain Forest |
Extending from the Coastal plains to 1000 m Temperatures > 20 ° C Rainfall > 2500 mm no moisture deficit period Vegetation –visible lichen and liana species
|
1,415 |
Ratnapura Kalutara
Galle
Matara
Kandy
Matale
Kegalle
Nuwera Eliya Colombo
Badulla Monaragala Gampaha |
| Moist Monsoon Forest |
Found at < 1000 m Rainfall 1800 – 2500 mm with a peak from October – January with a dry period of 3 months following.
|
2,439 |
Monaragala Polonnaruwa Ampara
Matale
Badulla
Batticaloa Ratnapura
Kandy
Nuwera Eliya Matara Kurunagala Hambantota Gampaha Trincomalee |
| Dry Monsoon Forest |
Has a distinct season: a rainfall peak from mid October to January (coinciding with monsoon rains) and a dry period for 3-6 months. Vegetation is semi diciduouse. At elevations of < 600 m often on slopes.
Rainfall 1000 – 1800 mm
|
10,940 |
Anuradhapura Mullaitivu Monaragala Mannar Trincomalee Vavuniya
Puttalam
Ampara Polonnaruwa Killinochchi Battocaloa Hambantota Matale Kurunagala Ratnapura
Badulla
Jaffna
Matara |
| Riverine Dry Forest |
Found along flood plains and river valleys. < 600 m Rainfall 1000 – 1800 mm
|
224 |
Ampara Monaragala Hambantota Trincomalee Puttalam
Mannar Polonnaruwa |
| Mangrove Forest |
Present along intertidal sheltered coastlines, usually associated with river mouths and lagoons. Vegetation usually consisting of Rhyzophora species |
87 |
Puttalam Trincomalee Batticaloa
Mannar Hambantota Mullaitivu Killinochchi Ampara
Jaffna
Galle
Gampaha Kalutara
Matara |
