Buddhika Madurapperuma

Open University of Sri Lanka | OUSL · Department of Botany

There are nine valid species in the genus Aspidura, and species-level molecular phylogenetic analyses have confirmed all the species were distinct. Among the species in this genus, A. copei is considered one of the rarest species in the genus with the narrowest distribution in higher elevation. This species was recorded in seasonal stream banks in...

Mangrove ecosystems provide essential ecological services, such as coastal protection, biodiversity conservation, and carbon sequestration. This study examines the dynamics of mangrove extent across various coastal districts in Sri Lanka from 1996 to 2020. We acquired geospatial mangrove extent data in Sri Lanka from the Global Mangrove Watch data...

Beach morphodynamic is a cyclic process, governed by complex natural and anthropogenic agents. However, when human activities more powerful than natural agents in this cyclic process, significant negative consequences emerge in coastal environments. In this context, anomalous coastal progradation and retrogradation frequently noticeable relative to...

As wildfire becomes increasingly frequent, many serotinous plant populations risk local extirpation if fire recurs prior to sufficient seed accumulation in the canopy (i.e., "immaturity risk"). Following two 2018 wildfires in northwestern California, we studied seed viability, cone production, and postfire regenera-tion of a serotinous conifer, kno...

knobcone pine (Pinus attenuata) [Dataset]

Large stands of coconut trees (Cocos nucifera) are grown at the coastal fringe habitats which are vulnerable to coastal and riverine erosion. Detecting coconut trees using Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) imagery is a useful way for monitoring coastal habitat vulnerabilities such as coastal erosion and can be used for sustainable land management prior...

This review aims to address the prevailing issues of elephant intrusion and the subsequent Human Elephant Conflict (HEC) in Sri Lanka, particularly in villages where the seasonal concentration of elephants can be observed in agricultural and surrounding wetlands. The episodic gatherings of elephants in these specific areas are a serious concern due...

Recent advances in unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) have led to monitoring vegetation changes in restored wetlands using object-based image analysis (OBIA) and spectral indices in remote sensing. The objective of the study is to map vegetation on selected restored wetlands in California Central valley (CCV), quantify seasonal vegetation coverage, and...

Coastal hazards such as erosion, tsunami, sea level rise and coastal storms are a major challenge to the coastal community and when it reaches a peak, it be-comes national and international issues. Therefore, this study attempts to monitor shoreline change and coastal hazards using the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) and Google Earth imagery in the O...

Black bear bark stripping in redwoods is a threat to commercial timber production because of the detrimental effects on redwood tree health. The purpose of the study was to delineate vegetation characteristics of redwood plots at the black bear bark stripping sites at Schatz Demonstration Tree farm. FUSION, an open-source, spatially explicit, remot...

Morphological changes in beaches occur when a river breaches and migrates alongshore. The present study investigates the movement of the ephemeral river channel across the Oluvil beach, forming a shallow pool and foredunes, using Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) imagery, Structure from Motion photogrammetry, and historical Google Earth imagery. The ef...

The study aims to examine the environmental literacy level of G.C.E A/L students (comparable to British Advanced Level) in the Kandy District, Sri Lanka, and to evaluate environment modules embedded into the curriculum. Furthermore, we find the relationships between environmental literacy level and socioeconomic and discipline levels. A survey with...

Protecting the endangered Sri Lankan elephants and mitigating the Human-Elephant Conflict (HEC) require proper understanding of the subject. Yet, so far, the available information is fragmented or not easily accessible and often it is outdated or erroneous. While efforts are ongoing to rectify this, it is imperative that, in order to make the most...

Recent advancements in small unmanned aerial systems (sUAS) have proved useful in monitoring and counting aquatic birds in wetlands flying over flocks without disturbing them. The objective of the study is to use a semi-automated workflow to extract waterfowl species and counts from a managed wetland in Colusa County, California. Over 560 UAV image...

Extensive wetland losses in California’s Central Valley have led to significant reductions in their natural functions, such as nutrient removal. Past studies suggest that individual wetland restoration efforts in the region yield mixed results mainly due to differences in management practices and degree of access to limited water resources, yet few...

This study provides a preliminary assessment of hydrology and water quality on restored and subsequently managed wetlands in California’s Central Valley. We explored their relationship to adjacent land uses to understand how these may influence ecological functions such as nutrient reduction. Managed restored wetlands depend on agricultural irrigat...

The shoreline has dynamic characteristics since it experiences several coastal processes resulting in progradation and retrogradation. The shoreline is a sensitive environment where human activities interact with the natural environment. Therefore, this study examines the spatiotemporal shoreline dynamics in the east coast of Ampara District, Sri L...

Bats perform critical ecosystem functions, including the pollination, seed dispersal, and regulation of invertebrate populations. Yet, bat populations are declining worldwide primarily due to habitat loss and other anthropogenic stressors. Thus, studies on bat ecology, particularly on environmental determinants of bat occupancy, are paramount to th...

Ecological responses of nocturnal predatory birds to forest cover and other geospatial predictors vary both geographically and taxonomically. Considerable knowledge gaps exist regarding the habitat associations of the Sri Lanka Frogmouth, a nocturnal bird restricted to Sri Lanka and the Indian Western Ghats. Via a 20-year island-wide survey, we sea...

As many as 500,000 waterfowl reside in California, USA, during summer, but little is known about the availability or quality of their habitats. Wetland size and distribution serve as proximate cues for habitat selection by breeding waterfowl in other parts of North America such as the Prairie Pothole Region. In heavily modified landscapes such as C...

Providing physical protection to wildlife is among the most high-risk professions in the conservation sector as it is directly associated with the prevention of wildlife crimes. In Sri Lanka, the Department of Wildlife Conservation is the primary government agency responsible for the long-term conservation and protection of biological diversity. Si...

Science-based forest management requires quantitative estimation of forest attributes traditionally collected via sampled field plots in a forest inventory program. Three-dimensional (3D) remotely sensed data such as Light Detection and Ranging (lidar), are increasingly utilized to supplement and even replace field-based forest inventories. However...

Background: Climate change has increased the risk of tick borne infections. The life cycle and prevalence of deer ticks are strongly influenced by temperature. Warmer temperatures associated with climate change are projected to increase the range of suitable tick habitats driving the spread of Lyme disease (LD). Short winters could also increase ti...

Land-use change is a predictable and principal driving force of potential environmental changes on all spatial and temporal scales. A land-use change model is a tool that supports the analysis of the sources and consequences of land-use dynamics. This study aims to assess the spatiotemporal land-use changes that occurred during 1990–2020 in the mun...

Pinus sabiniana (grey pine), an endemic tree species in California, has been little-studied because of its limited commercial value. This study seeks to understand whether grey pine is capable of behaving as a serotinous species; i.e. one that reliably has viable seeds on hand any time a fire might occur. Repeated field surveys were conducted along...

Detecting coastal morphodynamics is a crucial task for monitoring shoreline changes and coastal zone management. However, modern technology viz., Geoinformatics paves the way for long-term monitoring and observation with precise output. Therefore, this study aimed to produce explicit shoreline change maps and analyze the historical changes of the c...

Development of sustainable tourism is not possible without the support and involvement of the local community. Thus, it would be beneficial to understand how residents perceive tourism development. This study investigates the main factors that influence residents’ support for tourism development in the context of wetland tourism. The study was cond...

High-resolution unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) multi-spectral sensor images can provide valuable information for mapping forest areas that have recently been burned. In this study, we investigate the use of multi-spectral images captured with a UAV to evaluate burn severity in areas affected by forest fires in Gumi-si, South Korea. Fire classificati...

This study examines knobcone pine (Pinus attenuata) germination success from stratification to transplanting into a common garden at the Schatz Demonstration Tree Farm. Seeds were sown in containers in the greenhouse after three week of cold stratification and transplanted to garden beds a month later. Of 840 seeds sown, 538 were germinated (64%)....

This presentation discusses Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) in a futurist orientation as applied to local food systems, relating to Western Knowledge and the discipline of ‘agroecology’. The project elucidated is an Index of Ethnobotanical Knowledge in the published literature that pertains to the Tolowa, Yurok, Karok, Hupa, and Wiyot tribes...

The Humboldt State University TBS work is grounded in collaborations between the College of Natural Resources and Sciences; the Department of Native American Studies; the HSU Indian Natural Resources, Sciences and Engineering + Diversity in STEM program (INRSEP+); the HSU Native American Center for Academic Excellence (ITEPP); the HSU Council of Na...

Recent advances in small unmanned aerial systems (sUAS) have facilitated monitoring and counting waterfowl using object based image analysis (OBIA) in remote sensing. The objective of the study is to use a semi-automated workflow to extract waterfowls from a managed wetland in Colusa County, California. Over 560 sUAS imagery was obtained using a DJ...

The prevalence of black bear (Ursus americanus) bark stripping in commercial redwood (Sequoia sempervirens (D. Don) Endl.) timber stands has been increasing in recent years. This stripping is a threat to commercial timber production because of the deleterious effects on redwood tree fitness. This study sought to unveil a remote sensing method to de...

Developing positive attitudes by upgrading the environmental literacy level is very important to protect nature from anthropogenic pressures. This study evaluates existing knowledge, awareness, attitude and behavior, perceived issues, and solutions of undergraduates on major environmental issues of two national universities with different teaching...

The purpose of this study is to use the Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) images for mapping wetland vegetation using object-based classification methods and to compare its performance with cropland data layers. The UAS imagery (~0.1-m resolution) and National Agriculture Imagery Program (~0.6-m) data were used to extract wetland vegetation using objec...

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are being widely used to monitor microtopographic and vegetation changes in coastal habitats using remote sensing techniques. Sand dune habitats are vital ecosystems along the North coast of Humboldt County in California. This study was conducted at the Manila Dunes, west of the Humboldt Coastal Nature Center, in Man...

Given an international seminar on UAV applications on Ecological Research for the “Research Ideas Towards A Better World Of Knowledge- With Special Reference To Environmental Science” for the workshop, hosted in collaboration with Moyurpongkhi Foundation & Korea International Cooperation Agency.

Mangroves provide numerous ecological and biophysical services in the tropics and subtropics that support flood regulation, carbon sequestration, and reducing erosion from storm surges. Remote sensing satellite imagery provides valuable information for mangrove mapping and monitoring. The objective of this study is to detect the spatio-temporal cha...

Surveying coastal dune ecosystems using multi-spectral drone imagery in the North Spit of Humboldt Bay High-resolution multi-spectral imagery is vital in assessing vegetation dynamics, geomorphology and topographic variation of coastal dune ecosystems for designing better conservation strategies. This paper presents an integrated methodology for ma...

This study examines the 2017 Santa Rosa wildfire using remote sensing techniques to estimate the acreage of burned areas. Landsat 8 imagery of the pre- and post-fire areas was used to extrapolate the burn severity using two methods: (i) difference Normalized Burn Ratio (dNBR) and (ii) change detection analysis. We compared our analyses with data pr...

The beach and coastal sand dunes comprise a dynamic and fragile ecosystem that provides a bounty of ecological services. These lands provide protection from coastal erosion and sea level rise, and are home to a rich biodiversity of plant and animal species in addition to their recreational value. The Humboldt Coastal Nature Center and the surroundi...

Understanding the potential locations of where plant species will thrive is a fundamental necessity for resource managers who are concerned with controlling invasive species as well as promoting endangered ones. This study examines the credibility and usage of predicting ecological niche models developed through a Python program which uses in-situ...

A regeneration survey was conducted in Weaverville by the 2019 Forest Ecology class at the 2017 Helena Fire students looking at post-fire seedling recruitment. Forty five 10-meter radius plots were established. Within the plots, seedlings and fallen seed cones were counted. We assumed that the seeds were mature when this site burned (August 31) and...

Mismanagement of coral reef habitats for construction has impacted on rapid destruction of most biodiverse coral reefs of South Chinese sea. This project examines how coral reef habitats changed in Duncan island of South Chinese sea using object based image analysis (OBIA) and coral index. We estimated the coral changes over time with different lan...

This study will compare the Environmental Laws and their corresponding Environmental Impact Assessment processes in developing and developed nations with a focus on Sri Lanka and the United States. The study will involve analysis and comparison of individual EIA components (i.e. screening, scoping, impact analysis and mitigation measures), identifi...

Background Transmission of WNV to humans in the United States typically occurs between June and September since warm temperatures accelerate mosquito life cycle. Precipitation can cause increase in aquatic breeding but outbreaks often depends upon human water management. We examine epidemiology, patterns of WNV disease transmission, and identificat...

The Sri Lanka frogmouth (Batrachostomus moniliger) is a small-sized nocturnal bird largely restricted to tropical lowland forests with thick undergrowth. The motionless roosting posture as well as their plumage coloration and color patterns (which resemble that of tree stems and branches) enable them to camouflage and thereby avoid predation. Throu...

The endemic Sri Lankan keelback (Balanophis ceylonensis) is a snake largely restricted to rainforests of the island. Based on an 11-years field survey covering 83 field sites and rescued specimens, we present an autecology of B. ceylonensis. We recorded 32 individuals of B. ceylonensis at 25 field sites. All snakes were found in 10 – 1000 m altitud...

Feature-based Classification of Duncan Island Coral Reef Habitats of South Chinese Sea

The Humboldt Coastal Nature Center is managed as a Land Trust by the Friends of the Dunes (FOD). Local and international visitors are attracted to the dune and beach ecosystem and often they unknowingly create social trails that diverge from FOD trails and boundaries. Social trails can create issues for conservation and may contribute to the spread...

This study develops a site specific burn severity modelling using remote sensing techniques to develop severity patterns on vegetation and soil in the fire prone region of the Palo Verde National Park in Guanacaste, Costa Rica. Terrain physical features, soil cover, and scorched vegetation characteristics were examined to develop a fire risk model...

An aerial survey using high-resolution aerial imagery is ubiquitous in wildlife management. However, freely available aerial imagery that is supported by government-funded projects is limited in Sri Lanka. Therefore, the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) is valuable for collecting high spatial/temporal resolution data at low-cost for wildlife m...

Monitoring coastal ecosystem resilience for climatic and/or anthropogenic vulnerabilities is challenging with moderately resolution Landsat images. A simple, low-cost Kite Aerial Photograph platform (KAP) was vital to obtain high-resolution images for a small area to develop coastal GIS models. This study examines post-tsunami relief in two coastal...

Background: Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) are a major global public health issue leading to many physical, psychological and social consequences. Sri Lanka has a low prevalence of HIV and needs to target key population (KPs) at higher risk of infection. This study examines the district wise STI incidences and KPs in Sri Lanka to evaluate t...

http://csugis.sfsu.edu/sites/default/files/18CSU_GeospatialReview_Web.pdf

Patrick's Point State Park has experienced a tremendous growth of English ivy (Hedera helix L.) that is causing damage to the park resources. The goal of this study was to accurately map English ivy habitats and estimate coverage and colonization effects on tree trunks within the park. The results showed that the English ivy growth has decreased fr...

This study examined land-use changes along the south-eastern coast of Sri Lanka before and after the 2004 tsunami to spot areas vulnerable to flooding and severe weather events like tsunamis. On December 26th, 2004, over 30,000 people lost their lives after an offshore earthquake caused a tsunami in Sri Lanka, which resulted in waves as high as 30...

The study chronicles a series of landmark events of Polonnaruwa Arnaganwila, dry zone of Sri Lanka carbonaceous meteorites that impacted on 29 th December 2012. The main objective of this study was to compile the citied articles for creating a plausible corresponding model to possess the sedimentation of Micro Fossils (Fosil diatoms) found in carbo...

The spate of recent high intensity (stand-replacing) fires in California has led some to wonder whether our tree species are adapted to such large burns. Many assume that regeneration will typically be so poor that many of these burns will be dominated by shrubs and herbs instead of forests. This study examines seedling recruitment of conifers as a...

This study examines the Santa Rosa fire in 2017 using remote sensing techniques to estimate the acreage of burned areas. Landsat 8 imagery of the pre-and post-fires were used to extrapolate the burn severity using two methods: (i) difference Normalized Burn Ratio (ΔNBR) and (ii) change detection analysis. The results of burn severity of both method...

The Helena fire occured August 30th– November 15th as a consequence of a power line contacting a tree limb on Bureau of Land Management public lands and spread to Trinity Alps Wilderness and Weaverville in Trinity County, California. This study examines before and after effects of this devastating fire using the Burn Index (BI) and Normalized Diffe...

The study develops site specific spatial modeling using remote sensing techniques to extrapolate the burn patterns of semi-fossorial turtles in Palo Verde, Costa Rica. Terrain physical features and vegetation characteristics were examined to make fire risk models and to quantify probable burned areas. Spectral signatures of the vegetation areas wer...

Developing onshore digital elevation model (DEM) is useful to predict sea level rise, coastal erosion, and tsunami inundation. This study compares historic changes of coastline in Arugam Bay in Sri Lanka from 2003 to 2015 to indicate flooding and elevation profile changes over time. Bathymetric DEMs have been created using Differential Global Posit...

The Ma-le'l Dunes are located at the upper end of the North Spit of Humboldt Bay, California and are home to a range of plant and animal species. The goal of this study was to determine which classification method was the most accurate in identifying dune features when performed on a large, diverse area. The data sources used for this study were an...

The dynamics of coastal ecosystem are mainly controlled by nearshore processes, coastal geomorphology and human induced land-use changes. A rapid change of coastal shoreline due to harbour construction in Oluvil, which is in Ampara district caused a serious coastal erosion scenario. This study examines the coastal microtopography in relation to hig...

Coastal habitats are dynamic ecosystems that are critically important to stabilize and conserve coastal lands, provide vegetation bioshield mass and provide better ecological services. In Sri Lanka, diverse coastal habitats are vulnerable to natural and/or anthropogenic disturbances such as, tsunami, climate change, Sea Level Rise (SLR), land-use/c...

Coastal GIS models of Sri Lanka to pinpoint tsunami impacts: Lessons in Kite Aerial Photography

Tropical lowland wet zone forests hold the greatest plant diversity promise high plant carbon stocks. This study examines plant and soil carbon stocks of "Indikada Mukalana" Forest reserve, Waga, Sri Lanka. Five representative sampling sites (20m ×20m) in the forest were used for floristic survey and soil core sampling. Chemical and physical proper...

High-resolution aerial photographs coupled with infra-red images are useful for creating terrain models and vegetation mapping. Kite Aerial Photography (KAP) is very reliable for acquiring low altitude aerial images for low-cost and high spatial resolution. This study examined post-tsunami relief in different coastal ecosystems (i.e. mangrove, coas...

This study examines the land-use changes along the south-east coast of Sri Lanka before and after the 2004 Tsunami to spot vulnerable areas for future monitoring efforts. A time-series vegetation change: (i) immediately after Tsunami between 2004-2005, (ii) pre-Tsunami & long-term between 2004 -2016 and (iii) post-Tsunami & long-term between 2005-2...

Patrick’s Point State Park has experienced a tremendous growth of English Ivy that has causing a damage to park resources. The goal of this study was to accurately map English Ivy habitats, estimate coverage, and survey English Ivy colonization effects on tree trunks. The results showed that the English Ivy growth has decreased from 8.0 acres to 6....

The Quaternary period of the geographic history of the earth includes two geologic epochs viz., the Pleistocene and the Holocene. Both epochs divided the faunal stages and human cultural phases based on climate and sea level changes that took place during these periods. The Quaternary ice age began roughly about 2.58 MYO with cool and dry climate c...