in Sri Lanka - Ministry of Environment

The rapids of the Mahaweli river at Gannoruwa-Hallolluwa area, Kandy - a site for many threatenedaquatics, before being disturbed by the constructionsof the a mini-hydropower plant. Note the members ofthe family Podostemaceae on the rock surface closeto water.The rapids of the Mahaweli river at Gannoruwa-Hallolluwa area, Kandy – after being disturbed by theconstruction of the mini-hydropower plant.Ludwigia sedioides and Echinodorus spp., invadingnatural water bodies in the lowlandsNative Nymphaea nouchali Burm. f. – at present isthreatened by an exotic water lilyenable the conservation of vulnerable species in the habitat, (5) As a solution for the loss ofvulnerable endemic ornamental aquatic plants due to over-exploitation, mass propagation ofplants in demand must be encouraged, and (6) Monitoring of aquatic plant propagation units,and introduction of a code of conduct for aquatic plant nurseries will reduce the risk of plantpropagules entering local water bodies.Research gaps and research needs:A considerable amount of research has been conducted on the wetlands of Sri Lanka over theyears, covering many aspects. However, a few areas that need focus are,- Detailed taxonomic studies on wetland plants with their correct identification need to becompleted. This will also answer several other questions and gaps:o Probable location of aquatic plants listed under CR(PE) and CR categorieso Descriptions of poorly known aquatic plants specieso Completion of aquatic plant species list for each wetland site in the islando Early detection of any potential threats from alien specieso Taxonomic revision of aquatic taxa with ambiguities194