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Retrospective study on changes in Dondra lagoon (2006–2017) resulting from tsunami impact and post-tsunami development

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Abstract

Spatio-temporal changes during the last twelve year period (2006–2017) and their impacts on ecological and socio-economic status of Dondra lagoon, southern coast of Sri Lanka were studied as many lagoons in southern Sri Lanka are being seriously affected due to anthropogenic pressure in the recent past. The changes of Dondra lagoon and its immediate surroundings were studied in conjunction with a GIS-coupled ecological survey and a questionnaire survey. The lagoon water surface area has decreased by about 0.92 ha (~8%) and the mangrove cover has increased by about 1.38 ha (~11%) over this period. The salinity of the lagoon has also reduced, forming a ‘low saline’ (3 psu) regime. About 40% of the lost water surface has scarified for a newly formed land mass (~0.4 ha) within the proximal part of the lagoon. The bridge, broken by the tsunami of 2004, has newly been constructed twice during the reporting period. The construction most likely led to impair the inflow and outflow through the lagoon mouth. Several development projects were launched in the immediate periphery of the lagoon stimulated soil erosion causing heavy siltation in the lagoon. The above changes in the morphometry of the lagoon is a cumulative effect of two factors; impaired inflow and outflow through the lagoon mouth, and the increase of the sediment input to the lagoon. If the ongoing processes are sustained, the lagoon will change into a different landscape. Therefore, early intervention to restore the lagoon hydrology is highly recommended if the lagoon ecosystem is to be protected.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to thank Prof. E.P.S. Chandana, Department of Zoology, University of Ruhuna, for his assistance in conducting this research and also to Prof. Mark Huxham, Department of Biological Sciences, Edinburgh Napier University, UK for language improvement.

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Author notes

  1. Yattowita Withanage Praveen Amarasinghe, Chamod Harshana Liyanage, Hitihami Mudiyanselage Shashini Amalka Thathsarani Gunathilake, Jayasinghe Arachchige Iraj Kaushan Jayasingha, Madhuka Jayasingha and Wisnaha Kadawarage Lahiru Priyankara contributed equally to this work.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, University of Ruhuna, Matara, Sri Lanka

    Sanduni Kanishka Madarasinghe, Chamod Harshana Liyanage & Wisnaha Kadawarage Lahiru Priyankara

  2. Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, University of Ruhuna, Matara, Sri Lanka

    Yattowita Withanage Praveen Amarasinghe, Hitihami Mudiyanselage Shashini Amalka Thathsarani Gunathilake, Jayasinghe Arachchige Iraj Kaushan Jayasingha, Madhuka Jayasingha, Kodikara Arachchilage Sunanda Kodikara & Loku Pullukuttige Jayatissa

  3. Laboratory of Plant Biology and Nature Management, Ecology and Biodiversity, Vrije Universiteit Brussels – VUB, Pleinlaan 2, B-1050, Brussels, Belgium

    Nico Koedam & Farid Dahdouh-Guebas

  4. Laboratory of Systems Ecology and Resource Management, Department of Organism Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Université Libre de Bruxelles – ULB, Av. F.D. Roosevelt 50, CPi 264/1, B-1050, Brussels, Belgium

    Farid Dahdouh-Guebas

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  1. Sanduni Kanishka Madarasinghe
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Correspondence to Sanduni Kanishka Madarasinghe.

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Annex 01

Annex 01

This is a questionnaire survey related to a research project carried out by University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka. We expect your maximum contribution for this and we ensure to keep your information confidential.

Name:

Age:

Gender:

Address:

Approximate distance to the lagoon from home:

Since when you are living in this area?

What are the uses you and your family obtain from the lagoon:

Did Tsunami affected this area in 2004?

Have you observed any change to the lagoon area within last 10 year period?

What are they?

What do you think are the reasons for above mentioned changes?

Special comments:

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Madarasinghe, S.K., Amarasinghe, Y.W.P., Liyanage, C.H. et al. Retrospective study on changes in Dondra lagoon (2006–2017) resulting from tsunami impact and post-tsunami development. J Coast Conserv 24, 58 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11852-020-00777-1

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