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Floristic composition of sandy shore vegetation at Uswetakeiya in Sri Lanka

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Abstract

This study was conducted at Uswetakeiyawa on the southwestern part of Sri Lanka. Twenty-two families, 42 genera and 52 species were recorded from the sandy shore vegetation. Approximately 3.8 % (2 species) were found to be endemic and 67.3 % (35 species) were found to be of medicinal importance. Ipomea pes-capre and Spinifex littoreus were the most abundant species at the study site. The average value for all the zone combinations was β = 0.693, and the highest similarity value was ISj = 0.276, corresponding to two non-contiguous zones. The results show that a variation in plant diversity is to be found across the gradient. The typical zoning nature of the sandy shore vegetation has been disturbed due to on-going development in Uswetakeiyawa. New policy decisions should be taken to restrict development activities in Uswetakeiyawa in order to protect the sandy shore vegetation.

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  1. Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka, Balangoda, Sri Lanka

    Rathnayake Mudiyanselage Wasantha Rathnayake

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  1. Rathnayake Mudiyanselage Wasantha Rathnayake
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Correspondence to Rathnayake Mudiyanselage Wasantha Rathnayake.

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Rathnayake, R.M.W. Floristic composition of sandy shore vegetation at Uswetakeiya in Sri Lanka. J Coast Conserv 20, 327–334 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11852-016-0444-x

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