Horton Plains National Park
Encyclopedia
Horton Plains National Park is a protected area
in the central highlands of Sri Lanka
and is covered by montane grassland and cloud forest
. This plateau at an altitude of 2100–2300 m (6,889.8–7,545.9 ft) is rich in biodiversity
and many species found here are endemic to the region. This region was designated a national park
in 1988. It is also a popular tourist destination and is situated 32 kilometres (19.9 mi) from Nuwara Eliya
.
The Horton Plains are the headwaters
of three major Sri Lankan rivers, the Mahaweli, Kelani
, and Walawe. In Sinhala the plains are known as Maha Eliya Plains. Stone tool
s dating back to Balangoda culture have been found here. The plains' vegetation is grasslands interspersed with montane forest, and includes many endemic woody plant
s. Large herds of Sri Lankan Sambar Deer
feature as typical mammals, and the park is also an Important Bird Area
with many species not only endemic to Sri Lanka but restricted to the Horton Plains. Forest dieback
is one of the major threats to the park and some studies suggest that it is caused by a natural phenomenon. The sheer precipice of World's End and Baker's Falls
are among the tourist attractions of the park.
(2357 metres (7,732.9 ft)), the second and the third highest of Sri Lanka, are situated to the west and north respectively. The park's elevation
ranges from 2100–2300 m (6,889.8–7,545.9 ft). The rocks found in the park belong to the Archaean age and belong to the high series of the Precambrian
era and are made up of Khondalites, Charnockite
s and granitic gneisses. The soil type
is of the red-yellow podsol
ic group and the surface layer is covered with decayed organic matter.
The mean annual rainfall is greater than 2000 millimetres (78.7 in). Frequent cloudy cover limits the amount of sunlight that is available to plants. The mean annual temperature is 13 °C (55.4 °F) but the temperature varies considerably during the course of a day, reaching as high as 27 °C (80.6 °F) during the day time, and dipping as low as 5 °C (41 °F) at night. During the southwest Monsoon
season, the wind speed sometimes reaches gale force
. Although some rain falls throughout the year, a dry season occurs from January-March. The ground frost
is common in February. Mist
can persist in the most of the day during the wet season. Many pools and waterfalls can be seen in the park, and Horton Plains is considered the most important watershed
in Sri Lanka. The Horton Plains are the headwaters
of important rivers such as the Mahaweli, Kelani
, and Walawe. The plains also feeds Belihul Oya, Agra Oya, Kiriketi Oya, Uma Oya, and Bogawantalawa Oya. Due to its high elevation, fog
and cloud deposit a considerable amount of moisture
on the land. Slow moving streams, swamp
s, and waterfalls are the important wetland habitats of the park.
the park was renamed after Sir Robert Wilmot-Horton, the British governor of Ceylon from 1831 to 1837, who travelled to the area to meet the Ratemahatmaya of Sabaragamuwa in 1836. Stone tool
s dating back to Balangoda culture have been found here. The local population who resided in the lowlands ascended the mountains to mine gems, extract iron ore, construct irrigation
al canal
and fell trees for timber. A 6 metres (19.7 ft) pollen core
extracted from a mire revealed that in the late quaternary
period the area had a semi-arid climate and a species-restricted plant community.
Sir Joseph Dalton Hooker
had advised the British Government
"to leave all Montane Forests above 5000 ft. undisturbed" and an administrative order to this effect had been issued in 1873 that prevented clearing and felling of forests in the region. Horton Plains was designated as a wildlife sanctuary
on 5 December 1969, and because of its biodiversity value, was elevated to a national park
on 18 March 1988. The Peak Wilderness Sanctuary which lies in west is contiguous with the park. The land area covered by Horton Plains is 3160 hectare. Horton Plains contains the most extensive area of cloud forest still existing in Sri Lanka. On July 2010, the Central Highlands of Sri Lanka
which incorporates Horton Plains National Park, Peak Wilderness Sanctuary and Knuckles Mountain Range
was inscribed on the World Heritage List.
The vegetation of the park is classified into two distinctive groups, 2000 hectare of wet patana (Sinhalese for "montane grassland
s") and 1160 hectare of subtropical montane evergreen forests. Nearly 750 species of plants belonging to 20 families have been recorded from the park. The forest canopy reaches the height of 20 metres (65.6 ft) and features Calophyllum walkeri
, forming communities with varieties of Myrtaceae
species such as Syzygium rotundifolium
, and S. sclerophyllum, and Lauraceae
members including Litsea
, Cinnamomum
, and Actinodaphne speciosa. The undergrowth
layer is characterised by Strobilanthes
spp. The thickness of the Strobilanthes vegetation hinders the development of a herb layer. Dwarf bamboo species such Indocalamus
and Ochlandra
also found in the undergrowth layer. Rhodomyrtus tomentosa
bushes specially grow in forest margin and near the mountain peaks. Species such as Gordonia
and Rhododendron arboreum
have spread to Sri Lanka, along the Western Ghats
of South India
from the Himalayas
and are now common. Nearly 54 woody plant
species have been recorded from the park, of which 27 (50%) are endemic to Sri Lanka.
Frequent fire and grazing
characterises Plagioclimax communities
of the grassland flora. Grasslands are dominated by Arundinella villosa and Chrysopogon zeylanicus. Waterlogged swamp
s or slow moving streams are found in low lying areas, and macrophyte
s such as Aponogeton jacobsenii, sedge
species Isolopis fluitans and Utricularia spp. are found near the slow moving streams. The bamboo
Chimonobambusa densifolia thrive along the banks of the streams, and near the swampy areas grass species such as Juncus prismatocarpus, Garnotia mutica, Eriocaulon
spp. and Exacum trinervium are common. Tussock grasses
such as Chrysopogon zeylanicus and Cymbopogon confertiflorus are found in the wet hollows. Herbaceous flora
of the grasslands include temperate species including Ranunculus
, Pedicularis, Senecio
, Gentiana and Alchemilla
and also tropical species such as Eriocaulon
and Ipsea speciosa (a rare endemic daffodil orchid). The most widespread boreal
herbaceous plants of the park are Viola, Lobelia
, Gaultheria
, Fragaria, and Plantago
.
Tree trunks and branches are ornamented with many species of fern
s, Lycopodium
, lichen
s, and orchids. Old man's beard (Usnea barbata) hanging from branches adds to the beauty of the forests. About 16 of the orchid species being endemic. Other notable plants include shrubs such as Rhodomyrtus tomentosa
, Gaultheria fragrantissima, herbs, Exacum trinervium, E. walkeri, Drosera indica
, and tree fern
s Cyathea
spp. Anzia
, a foliose lichen genus belonging to Parmeliaceae
family, which had not been recorded in Sri Lanka previously, was discovered here in 2007. There are conflicting views on how the grasslands of the park came into being, whether man-made or natural. It is now believed that the grasslands on the dry slopes were created by forest clearance and fires while grasslands in low lying areas were naturally created by wet conditions, frost
and soil erosion
.
The vertebrate fauna of the region includes 24 species of mammals, 87 species of birds, nine species of reptiles and eight species of amphibians. The Sri Lankan Elephant
disappeared from the region in the 1940s at the latest. At present, the largest and the most commonly seen mammal is the Sambar Deer
. Some research findings estimate the population of Sambar Deer to be around 1500 to 2000, possibly more than the carrying capacity of the plains. Other mammal species found in the park include Kelaart's Long-clawed Shrew
s, Toque Macaque
s, Purple-faced Langur
s, Rusty-spotted Cat
, Sri Lankan Leopards, Wild boars, Stripe-necked Mongooses, Sri Lankan Spotted Chevrotain
s, Indian Muntjac
s, and Grizzled giant squirrel
s. Fishing Cat
s and European Otter
s visit the wetlands of the park to prey on aquatic animals. A subspecies of Red Slender Loris
, the Horton Plains Slender Loris (Loris tardigradus nycticeboides formerly sometimes considered as Loris lydekkerianus nycticeboides) is found only in highlands of Sri Lanka and is considered one of the world's most endangered primates. In July 2010 a group of researchers from the Zoological Society of London
was able to photograph the mammal for the first time.
Along with Ohiya
, Pattipola and Ambewela
, Horton Plains forms one of the Important Bird Area
s (IBAs) in Sri Lanka. Together with the adjacent Peak Wilderness Sanctuary, Horton Plains contains 21 bird species which occur only on Sri Lanka. Four, Sri Lanka Blue Magpie
, Dull-blue Flycatcher
, Sri Lanka White-eye
, and Sri Lanka Wood-pigeon
, occur only in Horton plains, while other endemic species include Sri Lanka Spurfowl
, Sri Lanka Junglefowl
, Yellow-fronted Barbet
, Orange-billed Babbler
, Sri Lanka Bush-warbler, and Sri Lanka Whistling-thrush. Many birds migrate
here in winter including swiftlets
, and Alpine Swift
. Crested Serpent-eagle, Mountain Hawk-eagle, Black-winged Kite
, and Peregrine Falcon
are among the birds of prey
found in Horton Plains. Harriers
are among the migratory raptors. This is a key wildlife area. All six highland endemic birds are found here, including Dull-blue Flycatcher
, Sri Lanka White-eye
, Sri Lanka Wood-pigeon
, and Sri Lanka Bush-warbler. Yellow-eared Bulbul
and Black-throated Munia
are widespread throughout the highlands.
Sri Lanka is considered a herpetological paradise in the world. Possibly about 15 amphibian species inhabit the park. Among them are Microhyla zeylanica
, Ramanella palmata
, Fejervarya greenii
, Rana gracilis
, Philautus alto
, Philautus femoralis, Philautus frankenbergi
, Philautus microtympanum
, Philautus schmarda
, and Polypedates eques
. De Silva has observed six endemic reptiles from the plains. They are Calotes nigrilabris, Rhino Horn Lizard
, Cophotis ceylanica, Lankascincus taprobanensis, Common rough-sided snake, and Rat snake
. Two fish species found in the park, common carp
and rainbow trout
; both are introduced species
. Horton Plains is also home to many endemic crustacean
s including Caridina singhalensis and Perbrinckia
species. The endemic freshwater shrimp Caridina singhalensis is found only in streams that have a temperature of less than 15 degrees C and is now restricted to only a stretch of 10 km of one stream.
. As a result, Horton Plains and Peak Wilderness became isolated from other forest and grassland areas. Potatoes were cultivated in the grasslands but planting ceased in 1977. After being declared a National Park, these areas were reinstated as grasslands. Tourism-related issues such as plant removal, littering, fires
and noise pollution are major conservation issues. Gem mining, timber logging
, the collection of plants for ornamental and medicinal
purposes, encroachment, poaching
and vehicle traffic are the other threats. The spread of invasive
alien species such as Gorse (Ulex europaeus), bracken
s, and Pennisetum
spp. threaten the native flora. The introduced rainbow trout may have affected endemic species of fish, amphibia and crustaceans.
Some Sambar deer have died due to eating polythene litter that blocked their food passages, and visitors are banned from bringing polythene into the park. Sambar have benefited from the introduced Pennisetum grass species.
A recent threat, first reported in 1978, is forest dieback
. In some areas, especially in the peripheral region, this has been severe with nearly a 50% in vegetation. Water deficiency has been attributed as the main cause of dieback as drought
s are becoming more frequent. Regrowth of forest is hindered by frost which is increasingly severe. The forest dieback has affected 22 species of plants with Calophyllum walkeri
being the most affected. A study has suggested that low Calcium causes soil acidification
and increased toxicity caused by metallic elements such as Aluminium may be causing the dieback. Leaching
of nutrients and the resulting imbalance in soil micronutrient
s may also be contributing to the dieback.
-Boralanda
roads, and there are railway stations at Ohiya
and Ambewela
. World's End is a sheer precipice
with a 870 m (2,854 ft) drop. It is situated at the southern boundary of the park. Another cliff known as the Lesser World's End of 270 m (886 ft) is located not far from World's End. Baker's Falls
, a waterfall formed by Belihul Oya, a tributary of the Walawe River is named after Sir Samuel Baker
, a hunter and explorer who attempted to establish a European agricultural settlement at Nuwara Eliya
. The falls are 20 metres (65.6 ft) high. Slab Rock Falls is another well known waterfall in the plains.
Protected areas of Sri Lanka
Protected areas of Sri Lanka are administrated by Department of Forest Conservation and Department of Wildlife Conservation of Sri Lanka.There are 501 protected areas in Sri Lanka. The protected areas falls under supervision Department of Forest Conservation include forests defined in National...
in the central highlands of Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is a country off the southern coast of the Indian subcontinent. Known until 1972 as Ceylon , Sri Lanka is an island surrounded by the Indian Ocean, the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait, and lies in the vicinity of India and the...
and is covered by montane grassland and cloud forest
Cloud forest
A cloud forest, also called a fog forest, is a generally tropical or subtropical evergreen montane moist forest characterized by a persistent, frequent or seasonal low-level cloud cover, usually at the canopy level. Cloud forests often exhibit an abundance of mosses covering the ground and...
. This plateau at an altitude of 2100–2300 m (6,889.8–7,545.9 ft) is rich in biodiversity
Biodiversity
Biodiversity is the degree of variation of life forms within a given ecosystem, biome, or an entire planet. Biodiversity is a measure of the health of ecosystems. Biodiversity is in part a function of climate. In terrestrial habitats, tropical regions are typically rich whereas polar regions...
and many species found here are endemic to the region. This region was designated a national park
National park
A national park is a reserve of natural, semi-natural, or developed land that a sovereign state declares or owns. Although individual nations designate their own national parks differently A national park is a reserve of natural, semi-natural, or developed land that a sovereign state declares or...
in 1988. It is also a popular tourist destination and is situated 32 kilometres (19.9 mi) from Nuwara Eliya
Nuwara Eliya
Nuwara Eliya , meaning "city on the plain " or "city of light", is a town in the central highlands of Sri Lanka with a picturesque landscape and temperate climate. It is located at an altitude of 1,868 m and is considered to be the most important location for Tea production in Sri Lanka...
.
The Horton Plains are the headwaters
Source (river or stream)
The source or headwaters of a river or stream is the place from which the water in the river or stream originates.-Definition:There is no universally agreed upon definition for determining a stream's source...
of three major Sri Lankan rivers, the Mahaweli, Kelani
Kelani River
The Kelani River is a river in Sri Lanka. Ranking as the fourth longest river in the country, it stretches from the Sri Pada Mountain Range to Colombo. It covers approximately 80% of the water supply to Colombo. In addition to that, the river is used for transport, fisheries, sewage disposal,...
, and Walawe. In Sinhala the plains are known as Maha Eliya Plains. Stone tool
Stone tool
A stone tool is, in the most general sense, any tool made either partially or entirely out of stone. Although stone tool-dependent societies and cultures still exist today, most stone tools are associated with prehistoric, particularly Stone Age cultures that have become extinct...
s dating back to Balangoda culture have been found here. The plains' vegetation is grasslands interspersed with montane forest, and includes many endemic woody plant
Woody plant
A woody plant is a plant that uses wood as its structural tissue. These are typically perennial plants whose stems and larger roots are reinforced with wood produced adjacent to the vascular tissues. The main stem, larger branches, and roots of these plants are usually covered by a layer of...
s. Large herds of Sri Lankan Sambar Deer
Sri lankan Sambar Deer
Sri Lankan Sambar Deer is a sub-species of Sambar Deer that lives in Sri Lanka. This subspecies is one of the largest Sambar Deer species with the largest antlers both in size and in body proportions. Large males weight up to 270-280 kg. Sri Lankan Sambar occurs in lowland dry forest, montane forest...
feature as typical mammals, and the park is also an Important Bird Area
Important Bird Area
An Important Bird Area is an area recognized as being globally important habitat for the conservation of bird populations. Currently there are about 10,000 IBAs worldwide. The program was developed and sites are identified by BirdLife International...
with many species not only endemic to Sri Lanka but restricted to the Horton Plains. Forest dieback
Forest dieback
Forest dieback is a condition in trees or woody plants in which peripheral parts are killed, either by parasites or due to conditions like acid rain and drought....
is one of the major threats to the park and some studies suggest that it is caused by a natural phenomenon. The sheer precipice of World's End and Baker's Falls
Baker's Falls
Baker's Falls is a famous waterfall in Sri Lanka. It is situated in Horton Plains National Park on a tributary of the Belihul Oya. The height of the Baker's waterfalls is . The falls were named after Sir Samuel Baker, who was a famous explorer. Many Rhododendron and Fern bushes can be seen around...
are among the tourist attractions of the park.
Physical features
Horton Plains is located on the southern plateau of the central highlands of Sri Lanka. The peaks of Kirigalpoththa (2389 metres (7,837.9 ft)) and Thotupola KandaThotupola Kanda
Thotupola Kanda, also sometimes referred as the Thotupola Peak or Thotupola Mountain, is the third highest mountain is Sri Lanka situated in Nuwara Eliya district above mean sea level. Mountain is placed within the Horton Plains National Park...
(2357 metres (7,732.9 ft)), the second and the third highest of Sri Lanka, are situated to the west and north respectively. The park's elevation
Elevation
The elevation of a geographic location is its height above a fixed reference point, most commonly a reference geoid, a mathematical model of the Earth's sea level as an equipotential gravitational surface ....
ranges from 2100–2300 m (6,889.8–7,545.9 ft). The rocks found in the park belong to the Archaean age and belong to the high series of the Precambrian
Precambrian
The Precambrian is the name which describes the large span of time in Earth's history before the current Phanerozoic Eon, and is a Supereon divided into several eons of the geologic time scale...
era and are made up of Khondalites, Charnockite
Charnockite
Charnockite is applied to any orthopyroxene-bearing granite, composed mainly of quartz, perthite or antiperthite and orthopyroxene , as an end-member of the charnockite series.-Charnockite series:...
s and granitic gneisses. The soil type
Soil type
In terms of soil texture, soil type usually refers to the different sizes of mineral particles in a particular sample. Soil is made up in part of finely ground rock particles, grouped according to size as sand, silt and clay...
is of the red-yellow podsol
Podsol
In soil science, podzols are the typical soils of coniferous, or boreal forests. They are also the typical soils of eucalypt forests and heathlands in southern Australia...
ic group and the surface layer is covered with decayed organic matter.
The mean annual rainfall is greater than 2000 millimetres (78.7 in). Frequent cloudy cover limits the amount of sunlight that is available to plants. The mean annual temperature is 13 °C (55.4 °F) but the temperature varies considerably during the course of a day, reaching as high as 27 °C (80.6 °F) during the day time, and dipping as low as 5 °C (41 °F) at night. During the southwest Monsoon
Monsoon
Monsoon is traditionally defined as a seasonal reversing wind accompanied by corresponding changes in precipitation, but is now used to describe seasonal changes in atmospheric circulation and precipitation associated with the asymmetric heating of land and sea...
season, the wind speed sometimes reaches gale force
Beaufort scale
The Beaufort Scale is an empirical measure that relates wind speed to observed conditions at sea or on land. Its full name is the Beaufort Wind Force Scale.-History:...
. Although some rain falls throughout the year, a dry season occurs from January-March. The ground frost
Frost
Frost is the solid deposition of water vapor from saturated air. It is formed when solid surfaces are cooled to below the dew point of the adjacent air as well as below the freezing point of water. Frost crystals' size differ depending on time and water vapour available. Frost is also usually...
is common in February. Mist
Mist
Mist is a phenomenon of small droplets suspended in air. It can occur as part of natural weather or volcanic activity, and is common in cold air above warmer water, in exhaled air in the cold, and in a steam room of a sauna. It can also be created artificially with aerosol canisters if the...
can persist in the most of the day during the wet season. Many pools and waterfalls can be seen in the park, and Horton Plains is considered the most important watershed
Drainage basin
A drainage basin is an extent or an area of land where surface water from rain and melting snow or ice converges to a single point, usually the exit of the basin, where the waters join another waterbody, such as a river, lake, reservoir, estuary, wetland, sea, or ocean...
in Sri Lanka. The Horton Plains are the headwaters
Source (river or stream)
The source or headwaters of a river or stream is the place from which the water in the river or stream originates.-Definition:There is no universally agreed upon definition for determining a stream's source...
of important rivers such as the Mahaweli, Kelani
Kelani River
The Kelani River is a river in Sri Lanka. Ranking as the fourth longest river in the country, it stretches from the Sri Pada Mountain Range to Colombo. It covers approximately 80% of the water supply to Colombo. In addition to that, the river is used for transport, fisheries, sewage disposal,...
, and Walawe. The plains also feeds Belihul Oya, Agra Oya, Kiriketi Oya, Uma Oya, and Bogawantalawa Oya. Due to its high elevation, fog
Fog
Fog is a collection of water droplets or ice crystals suspended in the air at or near the Earth's surface. While fog is a type of stratus cloud, the term "fog" is typically distinguished from the more generic term "cloud" in that fog is low-lying, and the moisture in the fog is often generated...
and cloud deposit a considerable amount of moisture
Moisture
Humidity is the amount of moisture the air can hold before it rains. Moisture refers to the presence of a liquid, especially water, often in trace amounts...
on the land. Slow moving streams, swamp
Swamp
A swamp is a wetland with some flooding of large areas of land by shallow bodies of water. A swamp generally has a large number of hammocks, or dry-land protrusions, covered by aquatic vegetation, or vegetation that tolerates periodical inundation. The two main types of swamp are "true" or swamp...
s, and waterfalls are the important wetland habitats of the park.
History
The original name of the national park is මහ එළිය තැන්න (Maha Eliya Thenna). But in the British periodthe park was renamed after Sir Robert Wilmot-Horton, the British governor of Ceylon from 1831 to 1837, who travelled to the area to meet the Ratemahatmaya of Sabaragamuwa in 1836. Stone tool
Stone tool
A stone tool is, in the most general sense, any tool made either partially or entirely out of stone. Although stone tool-dependent societies and cultures still exist today, most stone tools are associated with prehistoric, particularly Stone Age cultures that have become extinct...
s dating back to Balangoda culture have been found here. The local population who resided in the lowlands ascended the mountains to mine gems, extract iron ore, construct irrigation
Irrigation
Irrigation may be defined as the science of artificial application of water to the land or soil. It is used to assist in the growing of agricultural crops, maintenance of landscapes, and revegetation of disturbed soils in dry areas and during periods of inadequate rainfall...
al canal
Canal
Canals are man-made channels for water. There are two types of canal:#Waterways: navigable transportation canals used for carrying ships and boats shipping goods and conveying people, further subdivided into two kinds:...
and fell trees for timber. A 6 metres (19.7 ft) pollen core
Pollen core
A pollen core is a core sample of a medium containing a stratigraphic sequence of pollen. Analysis of the type and frequency of the pollen in each layer is used to study changes in climate or land use using regional vegetation as a proxy...
extracted from a mire revealed that in the late quaternary
Quaternary
The Quaternary Period is the most recent of the three periods of the Cenozoic Era in the geologic time scale of the ICS. It follows the Neogene Period, spanning 2.588 ± 0.005 million years ago to the present...
period the area had a semi-arid climate and a species-restricted plant community.
Sir Joseph Dalton Hooker
Joseph Dalton Hooker
Sir Joseph Dalton Hooker OM, GCSI, CB, MD, FRS was one of the greatest British botanists and explorers of the 19th century. Hooker was a founder of geographical botany, and Charles Darwin's closest friend...
had advised the British Government
British Ceylon
British Ceylon refers to British rule prior to 1948 of the island territory now known as Sri Lanka.-From the Dutch to the British:Before the beginning of the Dutch governance, the island of Ceylon was divided between the Portuguese Empire and the Kingdom of Kandy, who were in the midst of a war for...
"to leave all Montane Forests above 5000 ft. undisturbed" and an administrative order to this effect had been issued in 1873 that prevented clearing and felling of forests in the region. Horton Plains was designated as a wildlife sanctuary
Wildlife refuge
A wildlife refuge, also called a wildlife sanctuary, may be a naturally occurring sanctuary, such as an island, that provides protection for species from hunting, predation or competition, or it may refer to a protected area, a geographic territory within which wildlife is protected...
on 5 December 1969, and because of its biodiversity value, was elevated to a national park
National park
A national park is a reserve of natural, semi-natural, or developed land that a sovereign state declares or owns. Although individual nations designate their own national parks differently A national park is a reserve of natural, semi-natural, or developed land that a sovereign state declares or...
on 18 March 1988. The Peak Wilderness Sanctuary which lies in west is contiguous with the park. The land area covered by Horton Plains is 3160 hectare. Horton Plains contains the most extensive area of cloud forest still existing in Sri Lanka. On July 2010, the Central Highlands of Sri Lanka
Central Highlands of Sri Lanka
Central Highlands of Sri Lanka is the newest World Heritage Site in Sri Lanka. On 31 July 2010, the World Heritage Committee holding its 34th session in Brasília inscribed Central Highlands of Sri Lanka and Papahānaumokuākea of Hawaii as new World Heritage Sites. The site comprises the Peak...
which incorporates Horton Plains National Park, Peak Wilderness Sanctuary and Knuckles Mountain Range
Knuckles Mountain Range
The Knuckles Mountain Range lies in central Sri Lanka, north-east of the city of Kandy. The range takes its name from a series of recumbent folds and peaks in the west of the massif which resemble the knuckles of clenched fist when viewed from certain locations in the Kandy District...
was inscribed on the World Heritage List.
Flora
Grassland
Grasslands are areas where the vegetation is dominated by grasses and other herbaceous plants . However, sedge and rush families can also be found. Grasslands occur naturally on all continents except Antarctica...
s") and 1160 hectare of subtropical montane evergreen forests. Nearly 750 species of plants belonging to 20 families have been recorded from the park. The forest canopy reaches the height of 20 metres (65.6 ft) and features Calophyllum walkeri
Calophyllum walkeri
Calophyllum walkeri is a species of flowering plant in the Calophyllaceae family.It is found only in Sri Lanka. It is Reddish brown with dark streaks and is a strong, durable wood. It is used for beams, rafters, posts & door frames. It weighs about 46 lbs per cubic foot. It can be found in hill...
, forming communities with varieties of Myrtaceae
Myrtaceae
The Myrtaceae or Myrtle family are a family of dicotyledon plants, placed within the order Myrtales. Myrtle, clove, guava, feijoa, allspice, and eucalyptus belong here. All species are woody, with essential oils, and flower parts in multiples of four or five...
species such as Syzygium rotundifolium
Syzygium rotundifolium
Syzygium rotundifolium is a species of plant in the Myrtaceae family. It is endemic to Sri Lanka.-Source:* World Conservation Monitoring Centre 1998. . Downloaded on 23 August 2007....
, and S. sclerophyllum, and Lauraceae
Lauraceae
The Lauraceae or Laurel family comprises a group of flowering plants included in the order Laurales. The family contains about 55 genera and over 3500, perhaps as many as 4000, species world-wide, mostly from warm or tropical regions, especially Southeast Asia and South America...
members including Litsea
Litsea
Litsea is a genus of evergreen or deciduous trees or shrubs belonging to the Laurel family, Lauraceae. The genus includes 200 to 400 species in tropical and subtropical areas of both hemispheres.-Overview:Trees or shrubs, dioecious...
, Cinnamomum
Cinnamomum
Cinnamomum is a genus of evergreen aromatic trees and shrubs belonging to the Laurel family, Lauraceae. The species of Cinnamomum have aromatic oils in their leaves and bark. The genus contains over 300 species, distributed in tropical and subtropical regions of North America, Central America,...
, and Actinodaphne speciosa. The undergrowth
Undergrowth
Undergrowth usually refers to the vegetation in a forest, which can obstruct passage through the forest. The height of undergrowth is usually considered to be 0.3 – 3 m . Undergrowth can also refer all vegetation in a forest, which isn't in the canopy....
layer is characterised by Strobilanthes
Strobilanthes
Strobilanthes is a genus of about 250 species of flowering plants in the family Acanthaceae, mostly native to tropical Asia, but with a few species extending north into temperate regions of Asia.Selected species...
spp. The thickness of the Strobilanthes vegetation hinders the development of a herb layer. Dwarf bamboo species such Indocalamus
Indocalamus
Indocalamus is a genus of bamboo.-Taxonomy:This genus sometimes comprises Gelidocalamus and Ferrocalamus. The genus excludes Monocladus ....
and Ochlandra
Ochlandra
Ochlandra is a genus of bamboo . The genus comprises nine species, of which eight are endemic to the Western Ghats ....
also found in the undergrowth layer. Rhodomyrtus tomentosa
Rhodomyrtus tomentosa
Rhodomyrtus tomentosa is a flowering plant in the family Myrtaceae, native to southern and southeastern Asia, from India, east to southern China, Taiwan and the Philippines, and south to Malaysia and Sulawesi...
bushes specially grow in forest margin and near the mountain peaks. Species such as Gordonia
Gordonia
Gordonia is a genus of flowering plants in the family Theaceae, related to Franklinia, Camellia and Stewartia. Of the roughly 40 species, all but two are native to southeast Asia in southern China, Taiwan and Indochina. The remaining species, G...
and Rhododendron arboreum
Rhododendron arboreum
Rhododendron arboreum is an evergreen shrub or small tree with a showy display of bright red flowers. It is found in Bhutan, China, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand. Rhododendron arboreum is also the national flower of Nepal.-Description:Its name means "tending to be woody or growing in a...
have spread to Sri Lanka, along the Western Ghats
Western Ghats
The Western Ghats, Western Ghauts or the Sahyādri is a mountain range along the western side of India. It runs north to south along the western edge of the Deccan Plateau, and separates the plateau from a narrow coastal plain along the Arabian Sea. The Western Ghats block rainfall to the Deccan...
of South India
South India
South India is the area encompassing India's states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu as well as the union territories of Lakshadweep and Pondicherry, occupying 19.31% of India's area...
from the Himalayas
Himalayas
The Himalaya Range or Himalaya Mountains Sanskrit: Devanagari: हिमालय, literally "abode of snow"), usually called the Himalayas or Himalaya for short, is a mountain range in Asia, separating the Indian subcontinent from the Tibetan Plateau...
and are now common. Nearly 54 woody plant
Woody plant
A woody plant is a plant that uses wood as its structural tissue. These are typically perennial plants whose stems and larger roots are reinforced with wood produced adjacent to the vascular tissues. The main stem, larger branches, and roots of these plants are usually covered by a layer of...
species have been recorded from the park, of which 27 (50%) are endemic to Sri Lanka.
Frequent fire and grazing
Grazing
Grazing generally describes a type of feeding, in which a herbivore feeds on plants , and also on other multicellular autotrophs...
characterises Plagioclimax communities
Plagio climax community
A Plagio climax community is an area or habitat in which the influences of the human race, have prevented the ecosystem from developing further...
of the grassland flora. Grasslands are dominated by Arundinella villosa and Chrysopogon zeylanicus. Waterlogged swamp
Swamp
A swamp is a wetland with some flooding of large areas of land by shallow bodies of water. A swamp generally has a large number of hammocks, or dry-land protrusions, covered by aquatic vegetation, or vegetation that tolerates periodical inundation. The two main types of swamp are "true" or swamp...
s or slow moving streams are found in low lying areas, and macrophyte
Macrophyte
A macrophyte is an aquatic plant that grows in or near water and is either emergent, submergent, or floating. In lakes macrophytes provide cover for fish and substrate for aquatic invertebrates, produce oxygen, and act as food for some fish and wildlife....
s such as Aponogeton jacobsenii, sedge
Cyperaceae
Cyperaceae are a family of monocotyledonous graminoid flowering plants known as sedges, which superficially resemble grasses or rushes. The family is large, with some 5,500 species described in about 109 genera. These species are widely distributed, with the centers of diversity for the group...
species Isolopis fluitans and Utricularia spp. are found near the slow moving streams. The bamboo
Bamboo
Bamboo is a group of perennial evergreens in the true grass family Poaceae, subfamily Bambusoideae, tribe Bambuseae. Giant bamboos are the largest members of the grass family....
Chimonobambusa densifolia thrive along the banks of the streams, and near the swampy areas grass species such as Juncus prismatocarpus, Garnotia mutica, Eriocaulon
Eriocaulon
Eriocaulon is a genus of about 400 species of monocotyledonous flowering plants in the family Eriocaulaceae. The genus is widely distributed, with the centers of diversity for the group occurring in tropical regions, particularly southern Asia and the Americas. A few species extend to temperate...
spp. and Exacum trinervium are common. Tussock grasses
Tussock (grass)
Tussock grasses or bunch grasses are found as native plants in natural ecosystems, as forage in pastures, and as ornamental grasses in gardens....
such as Chrysopogon zeylanicus and Cymbopogon confertiflorus are found in the wet hollows. Herbaceous flora
Herbaceous plant
A herbaceous plant is a plant that has leaves and stems that die down at the end of the growing season to the soil level. They have no persistent woody stem above ground...
of the grasslands include temperate species including Ranunculus
Ranunculus
Ranunculus is a large genus of about 600 species of plants in the Ranunculaceae. Members of the genus include the buttercups, spearworts, water crowfoots and the lesser celandine....
, Pedicularis, Senecio
Senecio
Senecio is a genus of the daisy family that includes ragworts and groundsels. The flower heads are normally rayed, completely yellow, and the heads are borne in branched clusters...
, Gentiana and Alchemilla
Alchemilla
Alchemilla is a genus of herbaceous perennial plants in the Rosaceae, and a popular garden herb with the common name Lady's mantle. There are about 300 species, the majority native to cool temperate and subarctic regions of Europe and Asia, with a few species native to the mountains of Africa,...
and also tropical species such as Eriocaulon
Eriocaulon
Eriocaulon is a genus of about 400 species of monocotyledonous flowering plants in the family Eriocaulaceae. The genus is widely distributed, with the centers of diversity for the group occurring in tropical regions, particularly southern Asia and the Americas. A few species extend to temperate...
and Ipsea speciosa (a rare endemic daffodil orchid). The most widespread boreal
Taiga
Taiga , also known as the boreal forest, is a biome characterized by coniferous forests.Taiga is the world's largest terrestrial biome. In North America it covers most of inland Canada and Alaska as well as parts of the extreme northern continental United States and is known as the Northwoods...
herbaceous plants of the park are Viola, Lobelia
Lobelia
Lobelia is a genus of flowering plant comprising 360–400 species, with a subcosmopolitan distribution primarily in tropical to warm temperate regions of the world, a few species extending into cooler temperate regions...
, Gaultheria
Gaultheria
Gaultheria is a genus of about 170-180 species of shrubs in the family Ericaceae. The name memorializes Jean François Gauthier of Quebec, a mis-spelt honour bestowed by the Scandinavian Pehr Kalm in 1748. These plants are native to Asia, North and South America, and Australasia...
, Fragaria, and Plantago
Plantago
Plantago is a genus of about 200 species of small, inconspicuous plants commonly called plantains. They share this name with the very dissimilar plantain, a kind of banana. Most are herbaceous plants, though a few are subshrubs growing to 60 cm tall. The leaves are sessile, but have a narrow...
.
Tree trunks and branches are ornamented with many species of fern
Fern
A fern is any one of a group of about 12,000 species of plants belonging to the botanical group known as Pteridophyta. Unlike mosses, they have xylem and phloem . They have stems, leaves, and roots like other vascular plants...
s, Lycopodium
Lycopodium
Lycopodium is a genus of clubmosses, also known as ground pines or creeping cedar, in the family Lycopodiaceae, a family of fern-allies...
, lichen
Lichen
Lichens are composite organisms consisting of a symbiotic organism composed of a fungus with a photosynthetic partner , usually either a green alga or cyanobacterium...
s, and orchids. Old man's beard (Usnea barbata) hanging from branches adds to the beauty of the forests. About 16 of the orchid species being endemic. Other notable plants include shrubs such as Rhodomyrtus tomentosa
Rhodomyrtus tomentosa
Rhodomyrtus tomentosa is a flowering plant in the family Myrtaceae, native to southern and southeastern Asia, from India, east to southern China, Taiwan and the Philippines, and south to Malaysia and Sulawesi...
, Gaultheria fragrantissima, herbs, Exacum trinervium, E. walkeri, Drosera indica
Drosera indica
Drosera indica is an insectivorous plant, a sundew native to tropical countries throughout the world, from Australia and Asia to Africa, but absent from the neotropics. Together with D. hartmeyerorum it makes up the section Arachnopus....
, and tree fern
Cyatheales
The order Cyatheales is a taxonomic division of the fern subclass, Cyatheatae, which includes the tree ferns. No clear morphological features characterize all of the Cyatheales, but DNA sequence data indicates that the order is monophyletic. Some species in the Cyatheales have tree-like growth...
s Cyathea
Cyathea
Cyathea is a genus of tree ferns, the type genus of the fern order Cyatheales. They are mostly terrestrial ferns, usually with a single tall stem. Rarely, the trunk may be branched or creeping. Many species also develop a fibrous mass of roots at the base of the trunk. The genus has a pantropical...
spp. Anzia
Anzia
Anzia is a genus of lichenised ascomycetes in the large family Parmeliaceae. It is a genus of roughly 45 currently accepted species. It was formerly included in the monogeneric family Anziaceae, but this has since been subsumed into the Parmeliaceae....
, a foliose lichen genus belonging to Parmeliaceae
Parmeliaceae
The Parmeliaceae is a large and diverse family of Lecanoromycetes. With over 2000 species in roughly 87 genera, it is currently regarded as the largest family of lichen forming fungi...
family, which had not been recorded in Sri Lanka previously, was discovered here in 2007. There are conflicting views on how the grasslands of the park came into being, whether man-made or natural. It is now believed that the grasslands on the dry slopes were created by forest clearance and fires while grasslands in low lying areas were naturally created by wet conditions, frost
Frost
Frost is the solid deposition of water vapor from saturated air. It is formed when solid surfaces are cooled to below the dew point of the adjacent air as well as below the freezing point of water. Frost crystals' size differ depending on time and water vapour available. Frost is also usually...
and soil erosion
Erosion
Erosion is when materials are removed from the surface and changed into something else. It only works by hydraulic actions and transport of solids in the natural environment, and leads to the deposition of these materials elsewhere...
.
Fauna
Sri Lankan Elephant
The Sri Lankan Elephant is one of three recognized subspecies of the Asian Elephant, and native to Sri Lanka. Since 1986, Elephas maximus has been listed as endangered by IUCN as the population has declined by at least 50% over the last three generations, estimated to be 60–75 years...
disappeared from the region in the 1940s at the latest. At present, the largest and the most commonly seen mammal is the Sambar Deer
Sri lankan Sambar Deer
Sri Lankan Sambar Deer is a sub-species of Sambar Deer that lives in Sri Lanka. This subspecies is one of the largest Sambar Deer species with the largest antlers both in size and in body proportions. Large males weight up to 270-280 kg. Sri Lankan Sambar occurs in lowland dry forest, montane forest...
. Some research findings estimate the population of Sambar Deer to be around 1500 to 2000, possibly more than the carrying capacity of the plains. Other mammal species found in the park include Kelaart's Long-clawed Shrew
Kelaart's Long-clawed Shrew
Kelaart's Long-clawed Shrew is a species of mammal in the family Soricidae. It is monotypic within the genus Feroculus. It is endemic to Sri Lanka and southern India. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forests, subtropical or tropical dry lowland grassland, and swamps...
s, Toque Macaque
Toque Macaque
The toque macaque is a reddish-brown coloured Old World monkey endemic to both Sri Lanka, where it is locally known as the 'Rilewa' or 'Rilawa'...
s, Purple-faced Langur
Purple-faced Langur
The purple-faced langur , or purple-faced leaf monkey, is a species of Old World monkey endemic to Sri Lanka.This is a long-tailed arboreal species, mainly brown with a dark facemask and paler lower face...
s, Rusty-spotted Cat
Rusty-spotted Cat
The Rusty-spotted Cat is the cat family's smallest member and found only in India and Sri Lanka. It has been listed as Vulnerable by IUCN in 2002 as the total effective population size is below 10,000 mature individuals, with a declining trend due to habitat loss, and no subpopulation containing...
, Sri Lankan Leopards, Wild boars, Stripe-necked Mongooses, Sri Lankan Spotted Chevrotain
Sri Lankan Spotted Chevrotain
The Sri Lankan Spotted Chevrotain or White-spotted Chevrotain is a species of even-toed ungulate in the Tragulidae family...
s, Indian Muntjac
Indian Muntjac
The Common Muntjac , also called the Red Muntjac, Indian Muntjac or Barking deer is the most numerous muntjac deer species. It has soft, short, brownish or greyish hair, sometimes with creamy markings. This species is omnivorous, feeding on fruits, shoots, seeds, birds' eggs as well as small...
s, and Grizzled giant squirrel
Grizzled Giant Squirrel
The grizzled giant squirrel is a large tree squirrel in the genus Ratufa found in the highlands of the Central and Uva provinces of Sri Lanka, and in patches of riparian forest along the Kaveri River and in the hill forests in the Tamil Nadu and Kerala states of southern India...
s. Fishing Cat
Fishing Cat
The Fishing Cat is a medium-sized wild cat of South and Southeast Asia. In 2008, the IUCN classified the fishing cat as endangered since they are concentrated primarily in wetland habitats, which are increasingly being settled, degraded and converted...
s and European Otter
European Otter
The European Otter , also known as the Eurasian otter, Eurasian river otter, common otter and Old World otter, is a European and Asian member of the Lutrinae or otter subfamily, and is typical of freshwater otters....
s visit the wetlands of the park to prey on aquatic animals. A subspecies of Red Slender Loris
Red Slender Loris
The red slender loris is a small, nocturnal prosimian native to the rainforests of Sri Lanka. This is #6 of the 10 focal species and #22 of the 100 EDGE mammal species worldwide considered the most Evolutionarily Distinct and Globally Endangered. Two subspecies have been identified, L. t....
, the Horton Plains Slender Loris (Loris tardigradus nycticeboides formerly sometimes considered as Loris lydekkerianus nycticeboides) is found only in highlands of Sri Lanka and is considered one of the world's most endangered primates. In July 2010 a group of researchers from the Zoological Society of London
Zoological Society of London
The Zoological Society of London is a charity devoted to the worldwide conservation of animals and their habitats...
was able to photograph the mammal for the first time.
Along with Ohiya
Ohiya
Ohiya is a rural village located in Badulla District of Uva Province, Sri Lanka. It is much closer to the Horton Plains National Park. The picturesque Colombo -Badulla Railyway runs through Ohiya...
, Pattipola and Ambewela
Ambewela
Ambewela is a small town, or a hill station, located in the Nuwara Eliya District of Sri Lanka. The area is also sometimes called "Little New Zealand". The town is situated approximately south-east of the district capital Nuwara Eliya...
, Horton Plains forms one of the Important Bird Area
Important Bird Area
An Important Bird Area is an area recognized as being globally important habitat for the conservation of bird populations. Currently there are about 10,000 IBAs worldwide. The program was developed and sites are identified by BirdLife International...
s (IBAs) in Sri Lanka. Together with the adjacent Peak Wilderness Sanctuary, Horton Plains contains 21 bird species which occur only on Sri Lanka. Four, Sri Lanka Blue Magpie
Sri Lanka Blue Magpie
The Sri Lanka Blue Magpie or Ceylon Magpie is a member of the crow family living in the hill forests of Sri Lanka, where it is endemic....
, Dull-blue Flycatcher
Dull-blue Flycatcher
The Dull-blue Flycatcher , Eumyias sordida, is a small passerine bird in the flycatcher family Muscicapidae.This species is an endemic resident breeder in the hills of central Sri Lanka....
, Sri Lanka White-eye
Sri Lanka White-eye
The Sri Lanka White-eye, Zosterops ceylonensis, is a small passerine bird in the white-eye family. It is a resident breeder in forests, gardens and plantations which is endemic to Sri Lanka, mainly in the highlands.-Description:...
, and Sri Lanka Wood-pigeon
Sri Lanka Wood-pigeon
The Sri Lanka Wood Pigeon is a pigeon which is an endemic resident breeding bird in the mountains of Sri Lanka.This species nests in damp evergeen woodlands in the central highlands, building a stick nest in a tree and laying a single white egg...
, occur only in Horton plains, while other endemic species include Sri Lanka Spurfowl
Sri Lanka Spurfowl
The Sri Lanka Spurfowl, Galloperdix bicalcarata, is a member of the pheasant family which is endemic to the dense rainforests of Sri Lanka....
, Sri Lanka Junglefowl
Sri Lanka Junglefowl
The Sri Lankan Junglefowl , also known during the colonial era as the Ceylon Junglefowl, is a member of the pheasant family which is endemic to Sri Lanka, where it is the national bird. It is closely related to the Red Junglefowl , the wild junglefowl from which the chicken was domesticated...
, Yellow-fronted Barbet
Yellow-fronted Barbet
Yellow-fronted Barbet is an Asian barbet which is an endemic resident breeder in Sri Lanka. Barbets and toucans are a group of near passerine birds with a worldwide tropical distribution...
, Orange-billed Babbler
Orange-billed Babbler
The Orange-billed Babbler, Turdoides rufescens, also known as Ceylon Rufous Babbler or Sri Lankan Rufous Babbler is an Old World babbler. The Old World babblers are a large family of Old World passerine birds characterised by soft fluffy plumage...
, Sri Lanka Bush-warbler, and Sri Lanka Whistling-thrush. Many birds migrate
Bird migration
Bird migration is the regular seasonal journey undertaken by many species of birds. Bird movements include those made in response to changes in food availability, habitat or weather. Sometimes, journeys are not termed "true migration" because they are irregular or in only one direction...
here in winter including swiftlets
Collocalia
Collocalia is a genus of swifts, containing some of the smaller species termed "swiftlets". Formerly a catch-all genus for these, a number of its erstwhile members are now normally placed in Aerodramus....
, and Alpine Swift
Alpine Swift
The Alpine Swift syn. is a species of Swift. The bird is superficially similar to a large Barn Swallow or House Martin. It is, however, completely unrelated to those passerine species, since swifts are in the order Apodiformes...
. Crested Serpent-eagle, Mountain Hawk-eagle, Black-winged Kite
Black-winged Kite
The Black-winged Kite is a small diurnal bird of prey in the family Accipitridae best known for its habit of hovering over open grasslands in the manner of the much-smaller kestrels...
, and Peregrine Falcon
Peregrine Falcon
The Peregrine Falcon , also known as the Peregrine, and historically as the Duck Hawk in North America, is a widespread bird of prey in the family Falconidae. A large, crow-sized falcon, it has a blue-gray back, barred white underparts, and a black head and "moustache"...
are among the birds of prey
Bird of prey
Birds of prey are birds that hunt for food primarily on the wing, using their keen senses, especially vision. They are defined as birds that primarily hunt vertebrates, including other birds. Their talons and beaks tend to be relatively large, powerful and adapted for tearing and/or piercing flesh....
found in Horton Plains. Harriers
Harrier (bird)
A harrier is any of the several species of diurnal hawks forming the Circinae sub-family of the Accipitridae family of birds of prey. Harriers characteristically hunt by flying low over open ground, feeding on small mammals, reptiles, or birds....
are among the migratory raptors. This is a key wildlife area. All six highland endemic birds are found here, including Dull-blue Flycatcher
Dull-blue Flycatcher
The Dull-blue Flycatcher , Eumyias sordida, is a small passerine bird in the flycatcher family Muscicapidae.This species is an endemic resident breeder in the hills of central Sri Lanka....
, Sri Lanka White-eye
Sri Lanka White-eye
The Sri Lanka White-eye, Zosterops ceylonensis, is a small passerine bird in the white-eye family. It is a resident breeder in forests, gardens and plantations which is endemic to Sri Lanka, mainly in the highlands.-Description:...
, Sri Lanka Wood-pigeon
Sri Lanka Wood-pigeon
The Sri Lanka Wood Pigeon is a pigeon which is an endemic resident breeding bird in the mountains of Sri Lanka.This species nests in damp evergeen woodlands in the central highlands, building a stick nest in a tree and laying a single white egg...
, and Sri Lanka Bush-warbler. Yellow-eared Bulbul
Yellow-eared Bulbul
The Yellow-eared Bulbul, Pycnonotus penicillatus, is a member of the bulbul family of passerine birds. It is an endemic resident breeder in the highlands of Sri Lanka....
and Black-throated Munia
Black-throated Munia
The Black-throated Munia or Jerdon's Mannikin is a small passerine bird. This estrildid finch is a resident breeding bird in the hills of southwest India, the Eastern Ghats and Sri Lanka.-Subspecies:...
are widespread throughout the highlands.
Sri Lanka is considered a herpetological paradise in the world. Possibly about 15 amphibian species inhabit the park. Among them are Microhyla zeylanica
Microhyla zeylanica
Microhyla zeylanica is a species of frog in the Microhylidae family.It is endemic to Sri Lanka.Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist montanes, subtropical or tropical high-altitude grassland, swamps, freshwater marshes, and intermittent freshwater marches.It is threatened by...
, Ramanella palmata
Ramanella palmata
Ramanella palmata is a species of frog in the Microhylidae family.It is endemic to Sri Lanka.Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist montanes.It is threatened by habitat loss.-Source:...
, Fejervarya greenii
Fejervarya greenii
Fejervarya greenii is a species of frog found in Asia....
, Rana gracilis
Hylarana gracilis
Hylarana gracilis or Gravenhorst's frog is a species of frog in the Ranidae family. It is endemic to Sri Lanka.Its natural habitats are freshwater marshes, agricultural lands, and grassland and bush forests....
, Philautus alto
Philautus alto
Philautus alto is a species of frog in the Rhacophoridae family.It is endemic to Sri Lanka.Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist montane forests.It is threatened by habitat loss.-Source:...
, Philautus femoralis, Philautus frankenbergi
Philautus frankenbergi
Philautus frankenbergi is a species of frog in the Rhacophoridae family.It is endemic to Sri Lanka.Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist montane forests.It is threatened by habitat loss.-Source:...
, Philautus microtympanum
Philautus microtympanum
Philautus microtympanum is a species of frog in the Rhacophoridae family.It is endemic to Sri Lanka.Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist montane forests.It is threatened by habitat loss.-Source:...
, Philautus schmarda
Philautus schmarda
Philautus schmarda is a species of frog in the Rhacophoridae family.It is endemic to Sri Lanka.Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests, subtropical or tropical moist montane forests, and plantations ....
, and Polypedates eques
Polypedates eques
Polypedates eques is a species of frog in the Rhacophoridae family.It is endemic to Sri Lanka.Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist montanes, subtropical or tropical high-altitude grassland, swamps, freshwater marshes, and intermittent freshwater marches.It is threatened by habitat...
. De Silva has observed six endemic reptiles from the plains. They are Calotes nigrilabris, Rhino Horn Lizard
Rhino Horn Lizard
Rhino-horned lizard , or Kagamuva Angkatussa in Sinhala, is a species of lizard in the Agamidae family. It is endemic to Sri Lanka.- See also :* Horton Plains National Park...
, Cophotis ceylanica, Lankascincus taprobanensis, Common rough-sided snake, and Rat snake
Rat snake
Rat snakes are medium to large constrictors that can be found through a great portion of the northern hemisphere. They feed primarily on rodents and birds and, with some species exceeding 3 m , they can occupy top levels of some food chains. Many species make attractive and docile pets and one,...
. Two fish species found in the park, common carp
Common carp
The Common carp is a widespread freshwater fish of eutrophic waters in lakes and large rivers in Europe and Asia. The wild populations are considered vulnerable to extinction, but the species has also been domesticated and introduced into environments worldwide, and is often considered an invasive...
and rainbow trout
Rainbow trout
The rainbow trout is a species of salmonid native to tributaries of the Pacific Ocean in Asia and North America. The steelhead is a sea run rainbow trout usually returning to freshwater to spawn after 2 to 3 years at sea. In other words, rainbow trout and steelhead trout are the same species....
; both are introduced species
Introduced species
An introduced species — or neozoon, alien, exotic, non-indigenous, or non-native species, or simply an introduction, is a species living outside its indigenous or native distributional range, and has arrived in an ecosystem or plant community by human activity, either deliberate or accidental...
. Horton Plains is also home to many endemic crustacean
Crustacean
Crustaceans form a very large group of arthropods, usually treated as a subphylum, which includes such familiar animals as crabs, lobsters, crayfish, shrimp, krill and barnacles. The 50,000 described species range in size from Stygotantulus stocki at , to the Japanese spider crab with a leg span...
s including Caridina singhalensis and Perbrinckia
Perbrinckia
Perbrinckia is a genus of freshwater crabs endemic to Sri Lanka. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests, subtropical or tropical swamps, and rivers...
species. The endemic freshwater shrimp Caridina singhalensis is found only in streams that have a temperature of less than 15 degrees C and is now restricted to only a stretch of 10 km of one stream.
Threats and conservation management
Horton Plains was a part of a large system of plains and forest cover that included Agra-Bopats, Moon Plains and Elk Plains. Between 1831 and 1948, it became a Sambar deer hunting ground. Elephants and Wild Boar were also hunted to a lesser extent. During this period lower slopes were cleared initially for coffee and then for tea plantationsTea production in Sri Lanka
Tea production in Sri Lanka, formerly Ceylon, is of high importance to the Sri Lankan economy and the world market. The country is the world's fourth largest producer of tea and the industry is one of the country's main sources of foreign exchange and a significant source of income for laborers,...
. As a result, Horton Plains and Peak Wilderness became isolated from other forest and grassland areas. Potatoes were cultivated in the grasslands but planting ceased in 1977. After being declared a National Park, these areas were reinstated as grasslands. Tourism-related issues such as plant removal, littering, fires
Wildfire
A wildfire is any uncontrolled fire in combustible vegetation that occurs in the countryside or a wilderness area. Other names such as brush fire, bushfire, forest fire, desert fire, grass fire, hill fire, squirrel fire, vegetation fire, veldfire, and wilkjjofire may be used to describe the same...
and noise pollution are major conservation issues. Gem mining, timber logging
Illegal logging
Illegal logging is the harvest, transportation, purchase or sale of timber in violation of laws. The harvesting procedure itself may be illegal, including using corrupt means to gain access to forests; extraction without permission or from a protected area; the cutting of protected species; or the...
, the collection of plants for ornamental and medicinal
Herbalism
Herbalism is a traditional medicinal or folk medicine practice based on the use of plants and plant extracts. Herbalism is also known as botanical medicine, medical herbalism, herbal medicine, herbology, herblore, and phytotherapy...
purposes, encroachment, poaching
Poaching
Poaching is the illegal taking of wild plants or animals contrary to local and international conservation and wildlife management laws. Violations of hunting laws and regulations are normally punishable by law and, collectively, such violations are known as poaching.It may be illegal and in...
and vehicle traffic are the other threats. The spread of invasive
Invasive species
"Invasive species", or invasive exotics, is a nomenclature term and categorization phrase used for flora and fauna, and for specific restoration-preservation processes in native habitats, with several definitions....
alien species such as Gorse (Ulex europaeus), bracken
Bracken
Bracken are several species of large, coarse ferns of the genus Pteridium. Ferns are vascular plants that have alternating generations, large plants that produce spores and small plants that produce sex cells . Brackens are in the family Dennstaedtiaceae, which are noted for their large, highly...
s, and Pennisetum
Pennisetum
Pennisetum is a genus of grasses in the family Poaceae, native to tropical and warm temperate regions of the world. They are large annual or perennial grasses growing 1–4 m tall, and are collectively known as the pennisetums...
spp. threaten the native flora. The introduced rainbow trout may have affected endemic species of fish, amphibia and crustaceans.
Some Sambar deer have died due to eating polythene litter that blocked their food passages, and visitors are banned from bringing polythene into the park. Sambar have benefited from the introduced Pennisetum grass species.
A recent threat, first reported in 1978, is forest dieback
Forest dieback
Forest dieback is a condition in trees or woody plants in which peripheral parts are killed, either by parasites or due to conditions like acid rain and drought....
. In some areas, especially in the peripheral region, this has been severe with nearly a 50% in vegetation. Water deficiency has been attributed as the main cause of dieback as drought
Drought
A drought is an extended period of months or years when a region notes a deficiency in its water supply. Generally, this occurs when a region receives consistently below average precipitation. It can have a substantial impact on the ecosystem and agriculture of the affected region...
s are becoming more frequent. Regrowth of forest is hindered by frost which is increasingly severe. The forest dieback has affected 22 species of plants with Calophyllum walkeri
Calophyllum walkeri
Calophyllum walkeri is a species of flowering plant in the Calophyllaceae family.It is found only in Sri Lanka. It is Reddish brown with dark streaks and is a strong, durable wood. It is used for beams, rafters, posts & door frames. It weighs about 46 lbs per cubic foot. It can be found in hill...
being the most affected. A study has suggested that low Calcium causes soil acidification
Soil acidification
Soil acidification is the buildup of hydrogen cations, also called protons, reducing the soil pH. This happens when a proton donor is added to the soil. The donor can be an acid, such as nitric acid and sulfuric acid . It can also be a compound such as aluminium sulfate, which reacts in the soil to...
and increased toxicity caused by metallic elements such as Aluminium may be causing the dieback. Leaching
Leaching (pedology)
In pedology, leaching is the loss of mineral and organic solutes due to percolation. It is a mechanism of soil formation. It is distinct from the soil forming process of eluviation, which is the loss of mineral and organic colloids. Leached and elluviated materials tend to be lost from topsoil and...
of nutrients and the resulting imbalance in soil micronutrient
Micronutrient
Micronutrients are nutrients required by humans and other living things throughout life in small quantities to orchestrate a whole range of physiological functions, but which the organism itself cannot produce. For people, they include dietary trace minerals in amounts generally less than 100...
s may also be contributing to the dieback.
Tourist attractions
Horton Plains is a popular tourist destination, with World's End being the key attraction. In the six months ending in August 2009, Horton Plains National Park earned a revenue of Rs. 20.1 million ( 0.17 million). The park is accessed by the Nuwara Eliya-Ambewela-Pattipola and HaputaleHaputale
Haputale is a town in Badulla District, Sri Lanka. The elevation is 1431 m above the sea level. The area has a rich bio-diversity dense with numerous varieties of flora and fauna. The town has a cooler climate than its surroundings, due to its elevation. The Haputale pass allows views across the...
-Boralanda
Boralanda
Boralanda is a rural town in Sri Lanka. It is located in Badulla District of Uva Province, Sri Lanka.The easiest access path to the Horton Plains National Park is fallen through Boralanda via Ohiya.-Transport:...
roads, and there are railway stations at Ohiya
Ohiya
Ohiya is a rural village located in Badulla District of Uva Province, Sri Lanka. It is much closer to the Horton Plains National Park. The picturesque Colombo -Badulla Railyway runs through Ohiya...
and Ambewela
Ambewela
Ambewela is a small town, or a hill station, located in the Nuwara Eliya District of Sri Lanka. The area is also sometimes called "Little New Zealand". The town is situated approximately south-east of the district capital Nuwara Eliya...
. World's End is a sheer precipice
Cliff
In geography and geology, a cliff is a significant vertical, or near vertical, rock exposure. Cliffs are formed as erosion landforms due to the processes of erosion and weathering that produce them. Cliffs are common on coasts, in mountainous areas, escarpments and along rivers. Cliffs are usually...
with a 870 m (2,854 ft) drop. It is situated at the southern boundary of the park. Another cliff known as the Lesser World's End of 270 m (886 ft) is located not far from World's End. Baker's Falls
Baker's Falls
Baker's Falls is a famous waterfall in Sri Lanka. It is situated in Horton Plains National Park on a tributary of the Belihul Oya. The height of the Baker's waterfalls is . The falls were named after Sir Samuel Baker, who was a famous explorer. Many Rhododendron and Fern bushes can be seen around...
, a waterfall formed by Belihul Oya, a tributary of the Walawe River is named after Sir Samuel Baker
Samuel Baker
Sir Samuel White Baker, KCB, FRS, FRGS was a British explorer, officer, naturalist, big game hunter, engineer, writer and abolitionist. He also held the titles of Pasha and Major-General in the Ottoman Empire and Egypt. He served as the Governor-General of the Equatorial Nile Basin between Apr....
, a hunter and explorer who attempted to establish a European agricultural settlement at Nuwara Eliya
Nuwara Eliya
Nuwara Eliya , meaning "city on the plain " or "city of light", is a town in the central highlands of Sri Lanka with a picturesque landscape and temperate climate. It is located at an altitude of 1,868 m and is considered to be the most important location for Tea production in Sri Lanka...
. The falls are 20 metres (65.6 ft) high. Slab Rock Falls is another well known waterfall in the plains.