Our Science team is gathering momentum to fight more for Conservation

New members with scientific backgrounds have joined the recently constituted Science for Conservation team, and they are working on different areas relevant to different conservation aspects. The team is planning to start a biodiversity survey in the Pompa Kale forest in collaboration with the University of Peradeniya to map and designate Pompa Kale forest as an important area which requires protection from humans and developmental pressure. This study will be helpful to identify the plants, birds, fish, insects, and invertebrates within the Pompakalle forest reserve and to articulate their presence and biodiversity value, to investigate the threats to these species living there, and to find solutions and mitigatory methods to help overcome the threats and ensure their continued existence.

Our team published an abstract in the 7th international Marine debris conference with the findings from the citizen Science project we conducted by analyzing nurdle density around the coastal belt in Sri Lanka due to the MV- X Press Pearl incident. 

With the support from WNPS, the team is extending the work on analyzing the impacts of the MV X-Press Pearl by conducting a series of socio-economic surveys in the highly impacted areas extending from Moratuwa to Negombo. Initial surveys are done and now we are at data analysis stages which can be later published in a proper scientific journal.

The Sub Committee team is planning to engage school children around Colombo to expand their capacity and seek potential engagement for citizen science Projects. In the meantime, they are connecting with university clubs and societies to engage with undergraduates for conservation aspects. We are excited to start more interesting experiments in the field in future so stay tuned for more information!