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Papers by Nishanthi Perera

Research paper thumbnail of M ARINE AND COASTAL ECOSYSTEMS AND HUMAN WELL-BEING M ARINE AND COASTAL ECOSYSTEMS AND HUMAN WELL-BEING Synthesis A synthesis report based on the findings of the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment Synthesis editorial team Synthesis team Extended writing team

A synthesis report based on the findings of the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment The production of... more A synthesis report based on the findings of the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment The production of this report has been made possible by the support of the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs-Development Cooperation

Research paper thumbnail of The International Coral Reef Action Network is a

This report was conceived of and sponsored by:

Research paper thumbnail of Co-existence of Coral Reef Conservation and Tourism at Pigeon Island National Park

Proceedings of International Forestry and Environment Symposium, 2015

Pigeon Islands National Park (PINP) is one of the three Marine National Parks in Sri Lanka with c... more Pigeon Islands National Park (PINP) is one of the three Marine National Parks in Sri Lanka with coral reefs being the major habitat protected. A study was undertaken at PINP with the objective of understanding the challenges encountered and opportunities available for managing the park addressing both coral reef conservation and increasing tourism potential. Field visits, formal and informal group discussions, expert opinions, web based information and literature surveys were the methodology utilized. Despise the impose of an entrance fee in May 2011, 146,375 tourists visited the 471 ha park within 40 month period. PINP earned LKR 37,000 ha-1 in 2013 indicating that one hectare of coral reefs can earn more revenue than larger terrestrial parks with charismatic species such as elephants. Foreign tourist arrivals had increased from 11.9% in 2011 to 25.13% by 2014. Visitor reviews indicates that their experience was either excellent (46%) or very good (30%) due to abundance of marine life, while12% had either a poor or a terrible visitor experience at the site owing to overcrowding, reef damage and high price. With only 21% of live coral cover in 2013, it is evident that the reef is being degraded, indicating that a Protected Area which emphasizes on collecting user-fee revenues can lose sight of its primary conservation objectives and is not undertaking sustainable tourism. Park management effectiveness is not at desirable level (43%), mainly due to non-implementation of a scientifically based management plan. A continuous monitoring programme to check the health of the reef is need, while the introduction of a multi-tiered user fee structures can enhance the economic reruns. Incorporating PINP into wider Seascape/landscape management through utilizing Special Area Management approach with relevant stakeholder participation needed to be promoted.

Research paper thumbnail of Co-existence of Coral Reef Conservation and Tourism at Pigeon Island National Park

Of the five categories of protected areas (PA) coming under the purview of Department of Wildlife... more Of the five categories of protected areas (PA) coming under the purview of Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWLC), tourism is actively promoted as a source of revenue generator only within national parks (NP). Of the 22 NPs, Hikkaduwa and the Pigeon islands (PINP) are marine NPs with coral reefs being the major attraction. A study was undertaken at PINP with the objective of understanding the opportunities available and challenges encountered in the co-existence of coral reef conservation and increasing tourism potential. Field visits, focused group discussions, expert opinions, web based information and literature surveys were the methodology utilised. The growth of tourism in the east coast has resulted in an increasing number of visitors to PINP despise the impose of an entrance fee system in May 2011. Within a 40 month period, a total of 146,375 tourists visited the 470 ha park indicating that one hectare of healthy coral reef can earn more revenue than the larger terrestria...

Research paper thumbnail of Colombo, Sri Lanka: Enhancing Urban Resilience and Livability by Leveraging Natural and Ecological Assets

The Hidden Wealth of Cities: Creating, Financing, and Managing Public Spaces

Research paper thumbnail of Co-existence of Coral Reef Conservation and Tourism at Pigeon Island National Park

Journal of Tropical Forestry and Environment, Nov 22, 2016

Of the five categories of protected areas (PA) coming under the purview of Department of Wildlife... more Of the five categories of protected areas (PA) coming under the purview of Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWLC), tourism is actively promoted as a source of revenue generator only within national parks (NP). Of the 22 NPs, Hikkaduwa and the Pigeon islands (PINP) are marine NPs with coral reefs being the major attraction. A study was undertaken at PINP with the objective of understanding the opportunities available and challenges encountered in the coexistence of coral reef conservation and increasing tourism potential. Field visits, focused group discussions, expert opinions, web based information and literature surveys were the methodology utilised.

Research paper thumbnail of Species composition and population dynamics of the phytoplankton community in Kotmale Reservoir

Journal of the National Science Foundation of Sri Lanka, 2012

The present worlr was carried out in the Kotmale reservoirfrom April 1994 to April 1096 with tlle... more The present worlr was carried out in the Kotmale reservoirfrom April 1994 to April 1096 with tlle objectiveof studying thespeciescomposition and t h e seasorlal, spatial and cliurnill distributionofpliytoplankton. Thephytoplankton of t h e t.eservoir was composed of four major families: Chlorophyceae, Cyanopliyceae, H~~cillnriophyceile and Dinophyceae. Chlorophyceae dominated thc phytoplanliton, with Stnrrrnsh.~~ni species forming the mqjor component. ,, I h e results show seasonal v;i~.i;ition in the major phytoplanlcton types of ttie ~~eservoirthatcorrelates with the water level. Iluringthe wetmonths,Stn~~.rostrum species dominated the phytoplankton while in the dry months &ficl.~sy.~tis nerz~gir~osa became prominent especially in the upstream region of t h e reservoir. This periotlic occurrence of M. aeruginosn bloom was a prominent feature of t h e impo~uidment. Although the filamentous diatom, iVie1osir.a species and t h e dinoflagellate, Peridil~i~~lli. C~N C~L L I~ formed a n important p a r t of t h e plankton community, no contrasting periodicity was observed a s in M. a e r~~g i n o s a. A clear ve~tical and cliurnal migl.ation pattern was observecl among the n~iljol phytopli~nkton types. Micr~c~vstis showed a downwartl movement during noon, while P. ciiic:t~o,, was very abundant in the surface clul-ing early morning. The phytoplankton Ib~~rns a major part of the food consumccl by the fish i n t h e Kotmale reservoirantl the I~no'\~leclgegai~~ecl througli thisinvestigation will help to iml)t.ove the commercial fishery of the impoundnient.

Research paper thumbnail of M ARINE AND COASTAL ECOSYSTEMS AND HUMAN WELL-BEING M ARINE AND COASTAL ECOSYSTEMS AND HUMAN WELL-BEING Synthesis A synthesis report based on the findings of the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment Synthesis editorial team Synthesis team Extended writing team

A synthesis report based on the findings of the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment The production of... more A synthesis report based on the findings of the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment The production of this report has been made possible by the support of the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs-Development Cooperation

Research paper thumbnail of The International Coral Reef Action Network is a

This report was conceived of and sponsored by:

Research paper thumbnail of Co-existence of Coral Reef Conservation and Tourism at Pigeon Island National Park

Proceedings of International Forestry and Environment Symposium, 2015

Pigeon Islands National Park (PINP) is one of the three Marine National Parks in Sri Lanka with c... more Pigeon Islands National Park (PINP) is one of the three Marine National Parks in Sri Lanka with coral reefs being the major habitat protected. A study was undertaken at PINP with the objective of understanding the challenges encountered and opportunities available for managing the park addressing both coral reef conservation and increasing tourism potential. Field visits, formal and informal group discussions, expert opinions, web based information and literature surveys were the methodology utilized. Despise the impose of an entrance fee in May 2011, 146,375 tourists visited the 471 ha park within 40 month period. PINP earned LKR 37,000 ha-1 in 2013 indicating that one hectare of coral reefs can earn more revenue than larger terrestrial parks with charismatic species such as elephants. Foreign tourist arrivals had increased from 11.9% in 2011 to 25.13% by 2014. Visitor reviews indicates that their experience was either excellent (46%) or very good (30%) due to abundance of marine life, while12% had either a poor or a terrible visitor experience at the site owing to overcrowding, reef damage and high price. With only 21% of live coral cover in 2013, it is evident that the reef is being degraded, indicating that a Protected Area which emphasizes on collecting user-fee revenues can lose sight of its primary conservation objectives and is not undertaking sustainable tourism. Park management effectiveness is not at desirable level (43%), mainly due to non-implementation of a scientifically based management plan. A continuous monitoring programme to check the health of the reef is need, while the introduction of a multi-tiered user fee structures can enhance the economic reruns. Incorporating PINP into wider Seascape/landscape management through utilizing Special Area Management approach with relevant stakeholder participation needed to be promoted.

Research paper thumbnail of Co-existence of Coral Reef Conservation and Tourism at Pigeon Island National Park

Of the five categories of protected areas (PA) coming under the purview of Department of Wildlife... more Of the five categories of protected areas (PA) coming under the purview of Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWLC), tourism is actively promoted as a source of revenue generator only within national parks (NP). Of the 22 NPs, Hikkaduwa and the Pigeon islands (PINP) are marine NPs with coral reefs being the major attraction. A study was undertaken at PINP with the objective of understanding the opportunities available and challenges encountered in the co-existence of coral reef conservation and increasing tourism potential. Field visits, focused group discussions, expert opinions, web based information and literature surveys were the methodology utilised. The growth of tourism in the east coast has resulted in an increasing number of visitors to PINP despise the impose of an entrance fee system in May 2011. Within a 40 month period, a total of 146,375 tourists visited the 470 ha park indicating that one hectare of healthy coral reef can earn more revenue than the larger terrestria...

Research paper thumbnail of Colombo, Sri Lanka: Enhancing Urban Resilience and Livability by Leveraging Natural and Ecological Assets

The Hidden Wealth of Cities: Creating, Financing, and Managing Public Spaces

Research paper thumbnail of Co-existence of Coral Reef Conservation and Tourism at Pigeon Island National Park

Journal of Tropical Forestry and Environment, Nov 22, 2016

Of the five categories of protected areas (PA) coming under the purview of Department of Wildlife... more Of the five categories of protected areas (PA) coming under the purview of Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWLC), tourism is actively promoted as a source of revenue generator only within national parks (NP). Of the 22 NPs, Hikkaduwa and the Pigeon islands (PINP) are marine NPs with coral reefs being the major attraction. A study was undertaken at PINP with the objective of understanding the opportunities available and challenges encountered in the coexistence of coral reef conservation and increasing tourism potential. Field visits, focused group discussions, expert opinions, web based information and literature surveys were the methodology utilised.

Research paper thumbnail of Species composition and population dynamics of the phytoplankton community in Kotmale Reservoir

Journal of the National Science Foundation of Sri Lanka, 2012

The present worlr was carried out in the Kotmale reservoirfrom April 1994 to April 1096 with tlle... more The present worlr was carried out in the Kotmale reservoirfrom April 1994 to April 1096 with tlle objectiveof studying thespeciescomposition and t h e seasorlal, spatial and cliurnill distributionofpliytoplankton. Thephytoplankton of t h e t.eservoir was composed of four major families: Chlorophyceae, Cyanopliyceae, H~~cillnriophyceile and Dinophyceae. Chlorophyceae dominated thc phytoplanliton, with Stnrrrnsh.~~ni species forming the mqjor component. ,, I h e results show seasonal v;i~.i;ition in the major phytoplanlcton types of ttie ~~eservoirthatcorrelates with the water level. Iluringthe wetmonths,Stn~~.rostrum species dominated the phytoplankton while in the dry months &ficl.~sy.~tis nerz~gir~osa became prominent especially in the upstream region of t h e reservoir. This periotlic occurrence of M. aeruginosn bloom was a prominent feature of t h e impo~uidment. Although the filamentous diatom, iVie1osir.a species and t h e dinoflagellate, Peridil~i~~lli. C~N C~L L I~ formed a n important p a r t of t h e plankton community, no contrasting periodicity was observed a s in M. a e r~~g i n o s a. A clear ve~tical and cliurnal migl.ation pattern was observecl among the n~iljol phytopli~nkton types. Micr~c~vstis showed a downwartl movement during noon, while P. ciiic:t~o,, was very abundant in the surface clul-ing early morning. The phytoplankton Ib~~rns a major part of the food consumccl by the fish i n t h e Kotmale reservoirantl the I~no'\~leclgegai~~ecl througli thisinvestigation will help to iml)t.ove the commercial fishery of the impoundnient.