Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in
Book cover

Tsunamis and Earthquakes in Coastal Environments pp 47–64Cite as

Post-Tsunami Assessment of Coastal Vegetation, with the View to Protect Coastal Areas from Ocean Surges in Sri Lanka

  • Chapter
  • First Online:

Part of the book series: Coastal Research Library ((COASTALRL,volume 14))

Abstract

The magnitude and impacts of tsunamis and ocean surges are unpredictable. Careful examination of these events and their consequences provide an insight towards natural protection against these hazards; therefore better preparedness and disaster risk reduction are crucial in countries at risk. This paper attempts to demonstrate some of the lessons from the December 26, 2004 tsunami which struck Sri Lanka, one of the most severely affected countries in the Indian Ocean region. We explored the effects of the tsunami on coastal vegetation in affected areas, and assessed their recovery after the event. We also explored the economic uses of the coastal plants, with the view that plant species with high resilience over tsunami, could be used to establish green barriers against tsunamis and ocean surges while at the same time being of economic value to local communities.

This study revealed that good mangroves were able to stand up against tsunami, helping to reduce the risk. However, mangrove (re-) forestation should be essentially limited to those areas that are physically and environmentally able to host them and the extent of such areas along the coastline of Sri Lanka is less than one third of the total coastline. This study also identified non-mangrove species, which could be the potential elements for green barriers along the non-mangrove areas of the coastline. It is noteworthy that all these species except cultivated plants were found to be constituents of the natural seashore vegetation and dune forming vegetation in the past; however, currently their individuals are sparsely distributed probably as a result of anthropogenic pressure. We believe that the direct economic uses of those species as well as the importance of green barriers may motivate dwellers to restore the coastal green barriers along the non-mangrove areas of the coastline.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.

Chapter
USD   29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD   84.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD   109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD   109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Learn about institutional subscriptions

References

  • Abeywickrema BA (1960) The vegetation of the lowlands of Ceylon in relation to soil. In: Tropical soils and vegetation. Proceedings of the Abidjan symposium, Paris, UNESCO, pp 87–92

    Google Scholar 

  • Adger WN, Hughes TP, Folke C, Carpenter SR, Rockstrom J (2005) Social–ecological resilience to coastal disasters. Science 309:1036–1039

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Alexander MK, Baird AH (2007) Natural barriers to natural disasters. Bioscience 57(2):102–103. doi:10.1641/B570202

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Awale D, Phillott AD (2014) A review of the adverse impacts of Casuarina spp on coastal ecosystems and sea turtle nesting beaches. Indian Ocean Turtle Newsl 19:15–19

    Google Scholar 

  • Badola R, Hussain SA (2005) Valuing ecosystem functions: an empirical study on the storm protection function of Bhitarkanika mangrove ecosystem, India. Environ Conserv 32(1):85–92

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Barbier EB (2006) Natural barriers to natural disasters: replanting mangroves after the tsunami. Front Ecol Environ 4(3):124–131

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chatenoux B, Peduzzi P (2007) Impacts from the 2004 Indian ocean tsunami: analysing the potential protecting role of environmental features. Nat Hazards 40:289–304. doi:10.1007/s11069-006-0015-9

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chen R, Twilley RR (1998) A gap dynamic model of mangrove forest development along gradients of soil salinity and nutrient resources. J Ecol 86:37–51

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Clarke AC (2005) Rebuilding after tsunami: our key challenges. Daily Mail, 02. 01. 2005, London, UK

    Google Scholar 

  • Dahdouh-Guebas F, Koedam N (2002) A synthesis of existent and potential mangrove vegetation structure dynamics from Kenyan, Sri Lankan and Mauritanian case-studies. Meded Zitt K Acad overzeese Wet/Bull Séanc Acad r Sci Outre-Mer 48(4):487–511

    Google Scholar 

  • Dahdouh-Guebas F, Verheyden A, De Genst W, Hettiarachchi S, Koedam N (2000) Four decade vegetation dynamics in Sri Lankan mangroves as detected from sequential aerial photography: a case study in Galle. Bull Mar Sci 67:741–759

    Google Scholar 

  • Dahdouh-Guebas F, Zetterström T, Rönnbäck P, Troell M, Wickramasinghe A, Koedam N (2002) Recent changes in land-use in Pambala-Chilaw Lagoon complex (Sri Lanka) investigated using remote sensing and GIS: conservation of mangroves vs. development of shrimp farming. Environ Dev Sustain 4(2):185–200

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dahdouh-Guebas F, Van Hiel E, Chan JCW, Jayatissa LP, Koedam N (2005a) Qualitative distinction of congeneric and introgressive mangrove species in mixed patchy forest assemblages using high spatial resolution remotely sensed imagery (IKONOS). Syst Biodivers 2(2):113–119

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dahdouh-Guebas F, Hettiarachchi S, Lo Seen D, Batelaan O, Sooriyarachchi S, Jayatissa LP, Koedam N (2005b) Transitions in ancient inland freshwater resource management in Sri Lanka affect biota and human populations in and around coastal lagoons. Curr Biol 15(6):579–586

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dahdouh-Guebas F, Jayatissa LP, Di Nitto D, Bosire JO, Lo Seen D, Koedam N (2005c) How effective were mangroves as a defence against the recent tsunami? Curr Biol 15(12):443–447

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Danielsen F, Sorensen MK, Olwig MF, Selvam V, Parish F, Burgess ND, Hiraishi T, Karunagaran VM, Rasmussen MS, Hansen LB, Quarto A, Suryadiputra N (2005) The Asian tsunami: a protective role for coastal vegetation. Science 310:643

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dayananda HV (1992) Shoreline erosion in Sri Lanka’s coastal areas. Coast Conservation Department, Colombo, 72pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Duke NC (1992) Mangrove floristics and biogeography. In: Robertson AI, Alongi DM (eds) Tropical mangrove ecosystems. American Geophysical Union, Washington, DC, pp 63–100

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Duke NC (2001) Gap creation and regenerative processes driving diversity and structure of mangrove ecosystems. Wetl Ecol Manag 9:257–269

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Duke NC, Ball MC, Ellison JC (1998) Factors influencing biodiversity and distributional gradients in mangroves. Glob Ecol Biogeogr Lett 7:27–47

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Duke NC, Meynecke JO, Dittmann S, Ellison AM, Anger K, Berger U, Cannicci S, Diele K, Ewel KC, Field CD, Koedam N, Lee SY, Marchand C, Nordhaus I, Dahdouh-Guebas F (2007) A world without mangroves? Science 317(5834):41–42. doi:10.1126/science.317.5834.41b

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ewel KC, Twilley RR, Ong JE (1998) Different kinds of mangrove forests provide different goods and services. Glob Ecol Biogeogr Lett 7:83–94

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Feagin RA, Mukherjee N, Shanker K, Baird AH, Cinner J, Kerr AM, Koedam N, Sridhar A, Arthur R, Jayatissa LP, Danny Lo S, Menon M, Rodríguez S, Shamsuddoha M, Dahdouh-Guebas F (2010) Shelter from the storm? Use and misuse of bioshields for managing natural disasters on the coast. Conserv Lett 3:1–11

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fosberg FR (1971) Mangroves versus tidal waves. Biol Conserv 4:38–39

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gharibian A (2015) Mangroves: an asset to treasure. CNRS international magazine. Ed. Saman Musachchio. Quarterly no 36:38–39

    Google Scholar 

  • Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) (2001) Climate change 2001: the scientific basis climate change 1995. Cambridge University Press, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • IUCN (2011) An appraisal of mangrove management in micro-tidal estuaries and lagoons in Sri Lanka. IUCN Sri Lanka Country Office, Colombo, viii + 116pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Jayatissa LP, Dahdouh-Guebas F, Koedam N (2002a) A review of the floral composition and distribution of mangroves in Sri Lanka. Bot J Linn Soc 138:29–43

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jayatissa LP, Guero MC, Hettiarachchi S, Koedam N (2002b) Changes in vegetation cover and socio-economic transitions in a coastal lagoon (Kalametiya, Sri Lanka), as observed by teledetection and ground truthing, can be attributed to an upstream irrigation scheme. Environ Dev Sustain 4(2):167–183

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Leelamanie DAL (2014) Relationship between water repellency and interstitial organic material of sieve fractions from dry zone dune sands under Casuarina equisetifolia. Proc Peradeniya Univ Int Res Sess Sri Lanka 18:423

    Google Scholar 

  • Liu PLF, Lynett P, Fernando H, Jaffe BE, Fritz H, Higman B, Morton R, Goff J, Synolakis C (2005) Observations by the international tsunami survey team in Sri Lanka. Science 308:1595

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mazda Y, Wolanski E, Ridd PV (2007) The role of physical processes in mangrove environments: manual for the preservation and utilization of mangrove ecosystems. Terrapub, Tokyo, p 598

    Google Scholar 

  • Odling-Smee L (2005) Dollars and sense. Nature 437:614–616

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Overdorf J, Unmacht E (2005) Why save the forests? Fear of big waves is no reason to plant mangroves. Newsweek CXLV 7:49

    Google Scholar 

  • Pearce F (1996) Living sea walls keep floods at bay. New Sci 150(2032):7

    Google Scholar 

  • Pemadasa MA (1996) Green mantle of Sri Lanka. Tharangee Printers, Colombo, p 242

    Google Scholar 

  • Reimers E (1929) Constantine de Sa’s maps and plans of Ceylon (1624–1628). With an introduction, transcripts, notes and translations. A.C. Richards Acting Government Printer, Colombo, pp iv–vi, 51–62

    Google Scholar 

  • Senarath U, Visvanathan C (2001) Environmental issues in brackish water shrimp aquaculture in Sri Lanka. Environ Manag 27:335–348

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Smith TJ III (1992) Forest structure. In: Robertson AI, Alongi DM (eds) Tropical mangrove ecosystems. American Geophysical Union, Washington, DC, pp 251–292

    Google Scholar 

  • Spalding M, Blasco F, Field C (1997) World mangrove atlas. The International Society for Mangrove Ecosystems, Okinawa, p 178

    Google Scholar 

  • Sugathadasa KSS, Jeevanandara PM, Devanarayana A, Pushpakumara DKNG (2008) A checklist of medicinal plants of Sri Lanka. Bandaranaike Memorial Ayurvedic Research Institute, Navinna, Sri Lanka. ICRAF Sri Lanka Programme, p 278

    Google Scholar 

  • Williams N (2005) Tsunami insight to mangrove value. Curr Biol 15(3):73

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

We thank Dr. Amara Satharasinghe (Department of Census and Statistics, Sri Lanka) for his cooperation in getting statistics used in this study. We acknowledge the support given by the Vlaamse Inter-universitaire Raad (VLIR), GREEN DYKE Project ZEIN2008PR347.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Botany, University of Ruhuna, Matara, Sri Lanka

    L. P. Jayatissa & K. A. S. Kodikara

  2. Institute of Oceanography, University Malaysia Terengganu (UMT), 21030, Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia

    N. P. Dissanayaka & B. Satyanarayana

Authors
  1. L. P. Jayatissa
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. K. A. S. Kodikara
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. N. P. Dissanayaka
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. B. Satyanarayana
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to L. P. Jayatissa .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Villaviciosa, Asturias, Spain

    V. Santiago-Fandiño

  2. Department of Civil Engineering, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan

    H. Tanaka

  3. Department of Geology and Paleontology, Westfälische Wilhelms-University, Münster, Germany

    M. Spiske

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2016 Springer International Publishing Switzerland

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Jayatissa, L.P., Kodikara, K.A.S., Dissanayaka, N.P., Satyanarayana, B. (2016). Post-Tsunami Assessment of Coastal Vegetation, with the View to Protect Coastal Areas from Ocean Surges in Sri Lanka. In: Santiago-Fandiño, V., Tanaka, H., Spiske, M. (eds) Tsunamis and Earthquakes in Coastal Environments. Coastal Research Library, vol 14. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-28528-3_4

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation