Forestry and Environmental Science Society (2026)

21/02/2026

CORAL BLEACHING

Coral reefs are among Earth's most diverse and valuable ecosystems. They are critical habitats that provide food and shelter for a variety of marine organisms and also play an important role in protecting coastal areas from erosion. Unfortunately, corals throughout the world are experiencing a serious environmental threat called coral bleaching.

Coral bleaching is defined as the process by which corals lose their symbiotic association with a group of microscopic algae called zooxanthellae. These algae, which live within the tissues of corals, give corals their vibrant color and serve as a source of nutrition through photosynthesis. When corals are stressed, they expel their zooxanthellae, resulting in the characteristic white or bleached appearance of corals.

Factors Contributing to Coral Bleaching
Increased sea surface temperature, resulting from global climate change, is the primary factor causing coral bleaching. Even a slight increase in temperature will cause stress to corals. Other potential causes include:
1.Ocean acidification
2.Pollution from agricultural runoff and sewage
3.Increased exposure to sunlight
4.Sedimentation and coastal development

What is Impact of Coral Bleaching on Marine Ecosystems?

Bleached corals have a much greater susceptibility to diseases than healthy, living corals. Should they suffer from ongoing stresses, bleached corals may ultimately die. This will result in significant effects on thousands of marine species that rely on coral reefs for either a habitat or food, which in turn will reduce the number and variety of species in the ocean ecosystem, as well as upset the entire marine food chain. Humans are affected by the loss of coral due to the following impacts: The way that coral reefs benefit many fisheries, tourism and protecting coastal communities; therefore, without coral and dying corals, Fish numbers will decrease considerably & The discontinued production of coral causes huge losses of revenue for places that depend on the income from tourism (e.g. hotels, restaurants, etc.) and also leads to more coastal erosion and storm damage from the elimination of the natural barrier created by the Coral Reefs.

In order to prevent Coral from bleaches and dying, one needs to stop its underlying problems. The primary means to stop coral bleaching include the following feelings: Lower CO2 emissions; regulate our coastlines; create protected places through marine reserves; and regulate our fishing habits for sustainability.

08/02/2026

Anavilundava Wetland Adventure! 🦆🌿

Our 1st year students concluded last semester with an amazing field visit to Anavilundava Wetland with Dr. Sandali Dissanayake for Wildlife Ecology.
Birdwatching, learning about wetland ecosystems, and even joining a small cleanup effort to protect this beautiful habitat – it was hands-on conservation in action!
observed and unforgettable memories made. ✨

07/02/2026

DARK EXTINICTION: Loss Of Life Before Science Discover
I am just unfolding a darker reality ,Uncountable species are vanishing from ecosystems before science discover them ………………………………………………………………………..
The Unseen Majority

In a Sri Lankan rainforest a species’ final stage of life plays out in your imagination and brings with it behaviors we have never seen. As in the Amazon the earth does it’s digging with the help of the dozers go a bit more and some with it goes the chance of a fungus which may be a cure for what ails us. No pictures. Not a single research paper. No conservation efforts at the last minute. Just quiet. To date we have put to paper 1.5 million species. Science says we are missing 8 to 15 million. We don’t have four or five. For the most part they are what is in between what is above and below the soil, fungi which create underground inter connected systems and beetles which sort out the leaf litter as their primary work instead of the grand old elephant or the bright parrot. They may be easy to ignore but that doesn’t reduce their importance or reality.

The Issue We Can't See:

We are at a point where we are destroying ecosystems faster than we are able to study them which is keeping ecologists up at night. In a single rainforest tree you will find hundreds of insect species, dozens of fungal species, and an incalculable amount of microorganisms some of which are found only on this planet. When that tree falls to make way for agriculture we lose more then just the wood. We may also be eliminating entire lineages that took millions of years to evolve. Also ironic is the fact that we are probably overestimating the number of extinctions. What we are aware of is but a drop in the bucket. Official records do not even report the silent extinctions that take place in the soil and in shadows, in canopies and coral.

Why It Matters :

You may think that which we are unaware of the beetles’ presence how can we possibly notice their absence? But what we fail to see is that ecosystems don’t function in that way. Each and every one, no matter how small, has a role to play. The unknown beetle may pollinate plants which in turn feed the creatures we care for.

That which is mysterious that microbe may in fact be very important to soil health. Dig far enough into the issue and the whole structure will come apart.

Also what is lost for us. Aspirin came from willow bark. Penicillin from mold. Cancer meds from sea creatures. How many cures are we losing in the forest before we even look to find?

But what of the issue that we have a right to wipe out species which we haven’t even come across yet. Does ignorance play a role?

The Uncomfortable Truth :

Traditional conservation practices also fail to address this issue. How do we put forth laws for species that we don’t even have names for? We can’t even get images of them to bring to the world’s attention their existence. Some biologists are going in and documenting life as fast as they can with DNA. Some say we should just protect the ecosystems which the known and unknown life forms live in.

However still we see the break up of habitats at the same rate. Rainforests are turned into palm oil and cattle farms. Wetlands are covered over for development. Climate change is the new force which is reconfiguring biomes. The silent extinctions are speeding up.

What We're Inheriting :

As a person that studies environmental issues, also as someone who is trying to wrap my head around the very changing state of our planet, this is a issue we must pay attention to. We are in the midst of what some are terming a sixth mass extinction which is at par with the die off of the dinosaurs’ -- we are the cause and we have the power to stop it.

The world’s silent extinctions put us at a crossroads to rethink conservation. We do not put forth issues of pandas and tigers as the be all and end all. What we are to see is that life in all of its odd, often very small, frequently underground forms has value which we are unable to fully determine.

These nameless species will not have feature coverage. They will not go viral on social media. Their die out will be quiet. Also the loss is noticed within ecosystems. Scientists in the future will see gaps which we do not attribute to anything. We will have a lesser richness and diversity of life on the planet.

We will not know what we are losing in exact terms. As each chapter of the Earth’s history comes to a close forever, it is the destroyers which get to see it.

But the fact is we see that it is happening that much is clear. What we should be asking ourselves is will we, as concerned as we say to be with the invisible, the unnamed, the unknown change our ways before it’s too late?

04/02/2026

As we mark 78 years of independence, we honor the courage of our ancestors, the resilience of our people, and the beauty of our land.

🇱🇰 May Sri Lanka continue to shine with unity, culture, and pride—today and always.

Happy Independence Day!

03/02/2026

"A New Chapter begins with vision, hope, and endless possibilities." 🌿

We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Dr. Chaamila Pathirana on your well-deserved appointment as Head of the Department of Forestry and Environmental Science, University of Sri Jayewardenepura.

This remarkable achievement stands as a true reflection of your dedication, leadership, and lasting contributions to academia. May this milestone open new avenues for innovation, growth, and new horizons.

Wishing you strength, wisdom, and continued success ahead madam! 🌿🎓🌳

03/02/2026

"Leadership is not just a title, but a legacy built through dedication, wisdom, and compassion." 🌿

We extend our heartfelt farewell to Prof. Daham Jayawardana as you conclude your tenure as Head of the Department of Forestry and Environmental Science, University of Sri Jayewardenepura.

This remarkable journey stands as a true reflection of your visionary leadership, unwavering dedication, and lasting contributions to our department and the entire Forestry & Environmental Science Society family.

Thank you very much Sir. We wish you all the very best in your future endeavors! 🌿🙏🌳

01/02/2026

"The Forestry and environmental science Society wishes everyone a blessed Duruthu Full Moon Poya Day, commemorating Lord Buddha's first visit to Sri Lanka. As stewards of our forests, we honor the sacred bond between our natural heritage and spiritual traditions. May this day bring peace and mindfulness to all. 🙏🌿"

28/01/2026

The striking temperature variations between Colombo—the city's downtown district—and the rest of the islands either unity or on either side of the continent have become a defining feature of the climate system in Sri Lanka.

The Urban Heat Island Effect is the primary factor causing these substantial differences; it results from the following urban-based human activities that create higher concentrations of heat and increase the overall temperature:

Heat Created by Man: The concentration of vehicles, businesses, manufacturing facilities, and the air conditioning systems utilized by residents generate vast amounts of anthropogenic heat.

Surface Properties Modify: The problem associated with urbanization through the conversion of vegetated regions to impermeable surfaces that are of low albedo (concrete, asphalt, etc.) and have a thermal mass or ability to "hold" heat. They retain solar heating throughout the day and then release or emit heat after sunset. The reduction in the overall amount of green cover and bodies of water available for toning down excess heat results in decreased evapotranspiration rates.

Urban Canyon Effect: Dense-building geometry creates an extended and thick horizontal layer of buildings that captures or entraps solar heat, prevents or hinders breezes from cooling buildings, and increases the amount of surface area that can absorb or reradiate heat, creating thermal islands within cities.
Radiative Cooling Impairment: An Urban Dimensions/Design and Chemical Pollution Context inhibit a City's Sky View Factor, limiting the city's ability to radiate heat collected throughout the day to the night sky, as more open areas without pollution, cities have greater sky view factors, and thus greater conductivity for radiating heat.

Air Pollution: The increased aerosol and air pollutants in urban areas due to the emissions created from urban activities will change the local chemistry of the air and result in greater heat trapping, or an altered radiative balance.

Reduction in Vegetative Cover (Vegetation): As urbanization has taken place, Colombo generally has a lower percent of vegetative cover compared to other areas of Sri Lanka. Lower tree cover, reduced amount of permeable green spaces combined with lower density and availability of natural cooling (Shade and Evapotranspiration) are the primary causes of the increased urban heat island Effect.

The UHI is a direct result of Urbanization. As such, the UHI modifies the local energy balance and changes the characteristics of energy consumption and energy demand, impacts on Public Health and the Urban Ecology, and all other parts of the Urban Environment as a consequence of Urbanization.

Therefore, future mitigation of the UHI must include the use of science to inform the determination of future Urban Climate Mitigation Strategies, i.e., the Future Urban Climate Policy.
Promotion of green infrastructure (green roofs, urban parks, tree canopies); the use of high-albedo (cool) construction materials; the provision of increased public transportation options and thus reduced vehicular emissions and heat; and the incorporation of climate responsive urban design. Additional city specific modeling can provide values to assist with planning at a city level. Therefore, the analysis of UHI in Colombo represents an evidence-based approach for planners and policy makers in Sri Lanka and similar tropical coastal cities worldwide.

27/01/2026

The International Forestry and Environment Symposium 2026 was successfully held on January 23–24 at Waters Edge, Battaramulla, marking 30 years of excellence as South Asia’s longest-running and most prestigious forestry symposium.

Organized by the Department of Forestry and Environmental Science, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, the symposium brought together global experts, researchers, and practitioners to explore the theme “Sustainability in Action.” The event fostered meaningful dialogue, knowledge exchange, and impactful collaborations toward a more sustainable future.

21/01/2026

Urban forestry means planning trees right inside cities. Cities grow fast and bring heat, dirty air, and no space for nature. Trees fight back. They cool down streets and make life better for everyone living there.

Think of it this way. Urban forestry joins tree work with city plans. A single park tree or whole green belt does the job. These trees catch rainwater to stop floods. They clean bad air people breathe every day. Most of all, they give city folks a break from stress. No more gray walls everywhere. Build on bad land after? Plant trees to fix it fast. It starts small. One tree shades a bus stop. Next thing you know, a row lines the street. Over time, these spots link up into real forests right where people live and work. Workers pick species that fit tough ones for pollution zones, flowering types for parks. They check roots won't crack pipes. Prune branches off power lines. All this takes know how from forest experts turned city team players.

Benefits hit hard. Shade drops hot city temps by five to ten degrees easy. Trees pull carbon from air and hold it tight tons per tree over years. Roots grab soil so no landslides in rain. Wildlife finds homes again, birds nesting in branches, bugs in bark. People walk more, play safe, even pick free fruit sometimes from mango or jak trees. Power bills drop too no need for fans all day in shaded homes. Real power comes from strong communities that care. Kids learn in schoolyards under leaves. Elders rest on benches by green plots. Property values climb when streets look alive. Hospitals see fewer breathing problems. That's money saved on health care and fixes. Studies show green cities cut crime too folks watch out for each other in pretty spots.

Take Colombo. Sidewalks bake under sun. Plant mahogany rows? Temps fall, walkers stay out longer. Air gets cleaner, lungs thank you. Floods hit less when roots soak puddles. It's not just nice it's smart spending.

Sri Lanka faces big trouble. Colombo and Kandy lost thick tree lands. Plantations down 34 percent. Scrub areas gone 26 percent since 1972. Builders grab steep hills over 60 degrees. Valleys flood easy now like Kandy's bowl shape traps water fast. Rules say no build there, but work goes on. Money talks louder than laws sometimes. National plans push more forests overall. Cities lack tough rules though. Roads eat green spots under big 2017-2050 growth push. Think wide highways carving through woods. Garbage dumps sprout where trees stood. Heat climbs, people sweat more. Monkeys raid kitchens for lost habitat. Rain turns streets into rivers without roots to hold ground. Rich folks get air cons. Poor ones suffer open markets turned ovens. Gap widens. Deforestation feeds vicious cycle less trees mean worse climate, which kills more trees.

Experts track this. Satellite maps show green shrink year by year. Colombo's canopy dropped fast with apartments popping up. Kandy's hills bare now, slopes slide in wet seasons. Government knows. Forest Department pushes back, but urban arms lag. Private plots turn condo forests overnight. No replant orders stick. Public yells for green, votes green sometimes, but daily grind forgets.

Change starts now. Clean Sri Lanka kicked off first urban forest by Kelani Bridge March 2025. Public land turns green. App tracks every tree's growth folks scan QR codes, see height stats, report issues. Phase two hit Thotalanga September 2025. Ministers, mayor, school kids dig in together. Firms like S-lon help plant thousands. Not show real dirt under nails work. Colombo greening project adds more, targets traffic-choked roads. Kandy calls all to plant their own pick a spot, dig, watch it grow. These moves crush pollution and heat from city rush.

Dig deeper on Clean Sri Lanka. Started under President's push for clean islands. First site near bridge fixed waste dump scar. Now trees stand tall, birds return. App pulls youth in gamifies care. Thotalanga phase plants natives like kumbuk, strong against drought. Ministers shovel first dirt, but locals own it. Schools adopt plots, kids water weekly. S-lon stocks saplings, trains planters. Early wins show air quality ticks up nearby. Flood drains faster. People picnic there now.

Other spots join. Colombo's old canal banks get tree walls. Greening Colombo ties with global funds. Kandy hillsides replant under city plan to 2030. "Plant your own" fairs draw crowds families claim trees, names on plaques. Universities study it SJP tracks growth data. Private malls add rooftop woods.

Why it works? Community buy in. Not top-down force. People see trees as theirs. Fight litter near "their" plot. Report cut branches quick. Data from apps feeds city tweaks plant windbreaks here, fruit there. Scales up. One forest sparks ten.

Sri Lanka must act strong. Lock trees into city rules from day one. Hills need protection most no build permits without green offsets. Enforcement fails with sprawl now. Fines too low, bribes slip through. Train urban forest teams proper hire locals, pay fair. Link budgets roads fund trees too. Tech helps: drones map canopy yearly, flag losses fast. Partner abroad FAO guides species picks.

Challenges linger. Monsoon snaps young trunks. Pests hit stressed trees. Vandals carve initials. Fix with tough stock, guards early, education long. Money short? Crowdfund plaques, tax breaks for planters.

But these projects prove it works. Grassroots fire spreads. Clean Sri Lanka proves scale. From bridge to island wide. Colombo cools, Kandy breathes, Jaffna joins next maybe.

Cities turn tough and alive. People breathe free. Streets invite walks, not dread. Kids climb safe branches. Elders chat under shade. Economy wins tourists snap green selfies, firms lure talent to leafy offices. Health soars, hospitals empty. Disaster bills shrink.

Future holds if we push. Urban forestry not add on core plan. Sri Lanka sits on edge. Act now, win green edge. Let sprawl win, lose lungs forever. Choice clear. Hands in dirt today build tomorrows that endure.

A.D.N.Abeyrathna
2nd Year

15/01/2026

"Happy Pongal to our entire community! As we celebrate this harvest festival together, may our society be blessed with prosperity, unity, and gratitude for nature's abundance. Let's honor our farmers and celebrate the bonds that bring us together. 🌾✨"

11/01/2026

Chemical contamination of the ground water

Thousands of people use groundwater as a source of their drinking water, however, the quality of this essential supply is being affected by ever-increasing amounts of chemical pollutants. Because groundwater is located below the Earth's surface, contamination may go unnoticed for a long time, until it has caused significant damage either to human health or to the environment. Agricultural operations are a significant contributor to this problem, by using fertilizers and pesticides that are eventually degraded by leaching through the soil into the groundwater supply. In addition to agriculture, the source of contaminating groundwater includes: salt used on winter roadways, septic systems that are not properly maintained or used, mining, used motor vehicles, improperly managed solid waste landfills, leaking underground storage tanks for gasoline, industrial waste, and older corroded plumbing systems. These activities collectively introduce organic and inorganic chemicals to groundwater sources.

Contaminated groundwater sources can create significant hazards to your health. The use of water containing disease-causing bacteria and viruses from human waste may lead to minor
symptoms or extreme conditions like hepatitis and dysentery. Ingestion of water containing toxic materials presents an immediate risk of being poisoned, but prolonged exposure presents the greatest risk and has been linked to conditions like liver and kidney disorders, nervous system issues, birth defects in babies, "blue-baby" syndrome related to nitrate contamination, as well as cancers. The most common inorganic pollutants include heavy metals (i.e., arsenic, lead, mercury, cadmium), nitrates, sulphates, chlorides, fluoride, and dissolved solids. Examples of organic pollutants that pose a threat to the nervous, reproductive, and digestive systems, as well as wildlife and aquatic ecosystems, include, but are not limited to, pesticides, petroleum-based solvents, plastics, and industrial chemicals.

The physical characteristics of groundwater often provide insight into how much it has been polluted. The amount of turbidity, colour, pH, taste and smell indicate if the water is of low quality, or is contaminated. For example, cloudy water may show there are suspended particles or microorganisms present; and colour may show the presence of dissolved metals or organic matter. In addition, having a low or high pH can mean that water may corrode pipes or impact treatment effects negatively. Water with an unacceptable taste or smell cannot be used at all. Given the slow and difficult nature of reversing groundwater pollution, the best solution is to prevent it. The protection of groundwater and safe drinking water generation for future generations can be achieved by responsible use of chemicals; proper handling of waste; regular monitoring; and responsible farming/industrial practices

Tharani Tharushika

Forestry and Environmental Science Society

21/02/2026

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03/02/2026

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