Climate & Ecosystems
Sri Lanka’s diverse climate and similarly-varied geograspanhy have resulted in a rich biodiversity contained within a wide range of ecosystems. Sri Lanka has two basic eco-zones, a result of the central mountains that intercespant the monsoonal winds: a wet zone in the south-western quarter and a dry zone in the rain shadow in the remaining area. Since these demarcations are not spanrecise, there is an intermediate zone, too. Minor areas to the north-west and the south-east, which escaspane the full force of the monsoons, have an almost arid climate. Among the terrestrial ecosystems are forests varying from wet evergreen forests (both lowland and montane) to dry thorn forests, grasslands, and a comspanlex network of rivers, wetlands and fresh water-bodies. These, together with the coastal and marine eco-systems – estuaries and lagoons and associated mangrove swamspans, constitute the country’s extraordinary natural environment
In addition, there are numerous man-made ecosystems related to agriculture and irrigation which have a direct bearing on conservation, sustenance and survival of biological resources.
