University of Sri Jayewardenepura: Journals & Proceedings
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Ayurveda Perspective of Environmental Sustainability for the Economic Crisis–A Review
Get PDFAyurveda, the science of life is a comprehensive system of health care of great antiquity, based on experiential knowledge and grown with perpetual expansion. Ayurveda treatment combines products of plant derivatives as well as animal, metal, and mineral, diet, exercise, and lifestyle. According to WHO 88% of all countries are estimated to use traditional medicine, such as herbal medicines, acupuncture, yoga and indigenous therapies. U.S. Environmental protection Agency defines, Environmental sustainability is the responsibility to conserve natural resources and protect global ecosystems to support health and well-being, now and in the future. The objective of this study has been aimed to review on Ayurveda system of medicine for environmental sustainability. The study was carried out as a review study and data was collected from Ayurveda authentic texts, previously published research papers and journal articles. As per findings, Ayurveda provides clear guidelines for lifestyle and nutrition, all of which fit within the framework of Dharma (Moral principles) which promotes responsibility for the whole society. According to Ayurveda, lifestyle helps to protect a healthy environment and support nature. It also means the natural care of sustainable food sources and agriculture preserves not only life but also responsible and safe ways of nutrition, careful approach and planning to preserve and guarantee the abundance of all medicinal plants in nature. Sustainable food aims to avoid damaging or wasting natural resources. The major four elements of environmental sustainability which are air and water management and risk reduction have been described in Ayurveda authentic texts. As adaptations the concepts such as the knowledge of Ritucharya (regimen for various seasons) and Dina Charya (daily regimen) in Ayurveda, are the key to survival, thus essential to maintain a healthy life which helps to free from lifestyle diseases in humans and leads to maintaining good relationship with their environment. The predictive approach of Ayurveda based on the constitutional knowledge about human being shall assist to solving a serious challenge of the modern life. Modern drug-based medicine is becoming increasingly inaccessible to the majority of the world‘s poor. The neglect of environmental, spiritual and psychological factors behind health and disease does not allow a simple, abstemious lifestyle. Ayurveda offers a sound, millenary natural alternative to the prevailing medical system on its way to individual well-being, improving health economy and social-economic development.
Keywords: Ayurveda perspective, Economic crisis, Environmental sustainability 
Genus Landoltia (Araceae): A Newly Recorded Aquatic Genus from Sri Lanka
Get PDFMembers of the genus Lemna, commonly known as duckweeds, have the capacity to produce huge biomass with a broad range of potential applications and are popular as ornamentals in the aquatic plant industry. However, the species identity of the Lemna that occur in Sri Lanka is questionable as various literature recognize different species as occurring in Sri Lanka. There has been no detailed taxonomic study carried out on the genus Lemna in the recent past. The conservation and sustainable utilization of biodiversity solely rely on the correct identification of the species. Hence, the present study was carried out to identify the species diversity of Lemna occurring in Sri Lanka. Fieldwork was carried out from October 2022 to August 2023, covering the wet, intermediate, and dry zones of the country as the genus Lemna is recorded to occur in these zones. Qualitative and quantitative vegetative characters were recorded in the field and in the laboratory by the naked eye or by using a Stereo microscope. The quantitative data included the number of roots, root length, frond length and width, and number of veins while the qualitative data included the shape of the root tip, the presence of prophyllum, frond shape, the presence of papilla, frond symmetry and the nature of frond surface. Morphological data were subjected to Hierarchical Cluster Analysis, using the PAST software. Based on the results, four distinct clusters were recognised, of which three clusters resembled morphological characters of Lemna species. However, a distinct cluster that separated at a distance of 0.56 resembled morphological characters different to Lemna, viz., the presence of a prophylum, turiens and multiple roots, characters considered as absent in the genus Lemna. The literature survey reveals that these characters are unique to the genus Landoltia, Hence the study confirmed the presence of a new genus Landoltia for the first time in Sri Lanka. The results of the present study would be useful in initiating further studies on the identification of the species. Due to the minute nature of these plants, molecular studies are recommended for confirmation of their species identity.
Keywords: Conservation, Landoltia, Lemna, Morphometric analyses, Species diversit
Improvement Needs to Promote Scientific Agricultural Practices in Agroforestry Home Gardens with Special Reference to Weligama, Sri Lanka
Get PDFAgroforestry home gardens are production models with high diversity. It has become a hotspot in scientific research because only few studies have attempted to review scientific agroforestry practices. Therefore, the present study attempts to find out improvement needs to promote scientific practices in agroforestry home gardens with special reference to Weligama Divisional Secretariat (DS), Sri Lanka. Currently ongoing “Haritha Dayak” home gardening development project conducted by Ministry of Agriculture in this area. Three Grama Niladari (GN) divisions were selected through reconnaissance survey conducted with agriculture instructors based on the availability of the highest number of agroforestry home gardens. The primary data were collected from randomly selected 30 households from each GN division (n=90) by personal interviews through the use of a structured questionnaire. Their concern on improvement needs to promote scientific agriculture practices was measured by 5-point Likert scale ranging from 1to 5 where 1=Not concern, 5=highly concern. Descriptive and Wilcoxon signed rank test analysis were used to analysis data. The results revealed that majority of households have highly concern on market opportunities (40%), access to off farm employment (36.7%) and contribution to household economy (48.9%). Households pay moderate concern on access to quality agricultural inputs (43.3%) and opportunity to improve scientific knowledge (42%) and not concern (42.2%) about research and development on scientific agricultural practices of agroforestry home gardens. Access to market, access to off-farm employment, contribution to household economic/Production objective are significant (p<0.01) with highly concern. There is significant (p><0.01) difference between availability of research and development on scientific basis of agroforestry home garden and not concern. There is no significant (p>0.01) difference between access to agriculture input and moderate concern. This study promotes the need for strong national policy and more research which emphasis scientific agricultural practices in agroforestry home gardens.
Keywords: Home garden, Scientific practices, Strategies, Marke
Quantitative Analysis of Forest Cover Dynamics: A Comparative Study of Nordic and South Asian Countries
Get PDFThis comprehensive study delves into a thorough comparative analysis of the changes in forest cover across Nordic and South Asian countries spanning a 26-year period from 1990 to 2019. This analytical approach enables the discernment of significant patterns and extraction of meaningful insights crucial for understanding the complex interplay of environmental, socio-economic, and policy factors in shaping forest dynamics in Sri Lanka and other South Asian countries. The research relies on meticulously gathered secondary data from reputable sources such as the World Bank and FAO. The data is then systematically organized and subjected to comprehensive analysis using various graphical representations, facilitating the identification of significant patterns and the extraction of meaningful insights. During the study period, the Nordic region exhibited a remarkable trend, with all countries experiencing substantial increases in forest land cover. Iceland, in particular, stood out with an astonishing 168% change in forest coverage from 1990 to 2019. Denmark and Finland maintained relatively stable forest coverage percentages of 13% and 2%, respectively, over the same period. In contrast, South Asian countries like Bangladesh and Sri Lanka showed negative trends in forest coverage, with respective decreases of 2% and 8% from 1990 to 2019. Conversely, Bhutan and India displayed substantial growth in forest cover, marking impressive increases of 8% and 10%, respectively, over the same timeframe. Interestingly, all Nordic countries consistently demonstrated a net annual gain in forest cover, except during a brief interlude from 2000 to 2004. In contrast, all South Asian countries, except India and Bhutan, experienced net annual forest losses throughout the study period. Notable variations in net annual gains were observed, such as Denmark and Finland recording net annual losses of forest cover during the period from 2000 to 2004. Furthermore, Bhutan and India consistently exhibited net annual gains in forest cover throughout the entire study period. India, in particular, demonstrated the highest net annual gain of forest cover from 2000 to 2004 with a value of 3,710.41 km2 /year, maintaining substantial gains from 2015 to 2019 at 2,131.20 km2 /year. Bhutan exhibited a net annual gain in forest cover, with an average annual gain of 79 km2 /year from 1990 to 2014, and a reduced net annual gain of 16 km2 /year from 2015 to 2019. Conversely, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka consistently witnessed net annual losses of forest cover, though with varying rates of decline. Sri Lanka displayed fluctuations in net forest cover, with rates ranging from 24 km2 /year to 118.40 km2 /year during the periods from 2005 to 2009 and from 2000 to 2004, respectively. Nepal recorded the highest average value of net annual loss of forest cover amounting to 422.40 km2 /year during the period from 2000 to 2004.This research serves as a valuable resource for shaping effective environmental policies and fostering collaboration for sustainable development.
Keywords: Forest cover, Nordic, South Asia, Loss/Gain of fores
Assessing Changes and Fragmentations of Forest Cover in the Northern Province, Sri Lanka
Get PDFForest cover change and fragmentation have become a global concern and are linked to the decline of the ecosystem's integrity. It also negatively affects biodiversity, forest degradation, and the spatial pattern of the landscape. Human population increase and accompanying activities like agricultural expansion, resettlement, deforestation, and infrastructural development all contribute to forest cover changes and forest fragmentation. Geospatial technologies, such as remote sensing (RS) and geographic information system (GIS), have expanded the potential for investigating, monitoring, analysing, and reporting on important biodiversity changes. This study aims to assess and quantify the extent and pattern of forest cover changes and forest cover fragmentations in the Northern Province since 1990. From 1990 to 2020, multi-temporal satellite images (Landsat: TM, ETM, OLI) and digital image processing were used to assess and spatially describe forest cover changes. Forest fragmentations were measured by number of patches, patch size coefficient of variance (PSCoV), class area, edge density, mean shape index and average weighted mean shape index using Patch Analyst in the ArcGIS environment. The study shows that large amounts of forest cover have decreased over the last 30 years in the Northern Province. The lands for agriculture, homestead, and scrub increased by 9.16%, 13.33%, and 4.4%, respectively during the last 30 years, while forest cover decreased by 24.07%. As a result, the Northern Province’s Forest is more fragmented. The total forest patches increased by 53,536 patches over the 30 years, the mean patch size (MPS) reduced from 21.75 in 1990 to 5.79 in 2020 and PSCoV decreased by roughly 85.95% from 7663.14 ha in 1990 to 1077.03 ha in 2020. Forest cover in Northern Province has not been disturbed much by three decades (1980-2009) of civil war, however, there were significant changes in forest cover after the war due to increasing resettlements in new places, development initiations, indiscriminate forest logging, land grabbing and agricultural expansion. The trend of fast deforestation and increasing forest fragmentation in the Northern Province effects on natural habitats of wildlife, biodiversity and the livelihood activities of the people. In this setting, it is critical to adopt appropriate policies to balance the environment via sustainable land use planning. The findings of this research provide a solid foundation for the necessities of sustainable development planning in Northern Province.
Keywords: Remote Sensing and GIS, Satellite images, Forest cover change, Fragmentation, Northern Provinc
Above-Ground Biomass Partitioning of Selected Fewer Common Trees with Timber Value
Get PDFInformation on the allocation of above-ground biomass between stems and branches is important in managing the structure and function of the forest ecosystem. Therefore, this study aimed to estimate the above-ground biomass partitioning between the main stem and branches of selected, less-used five tree species, which bear timber value, which are Alstonia (Alstonia scholaris), Hulanhik (Chukrasia tabularis), Hurimara (Albizia odoratissima), Lunumidella (Melia azedarach), and Ketakela (Bridelia retusa), growing in roadsides and home gardens. Data were collected from three mature trees of each species grown in Moratenne Division in Muwankanda Estate of Lalan Agri Division, Lalan Rubbers Pvt. Ltd. Breast height diameter (dbh) and stem height of the selected trees were measured after felling. Tree stems and large branches, viz., branches with a base diameter larger than 1/3rd of the stem diameter, were divided into 3-meter sections and the length and bottom, middle, and top diameters were measured for each section to estimate its volume using Newton’s formula. The final section of each component was assumed as a cone to estimate its volume. The total volume of the stem and branches were separately estimated by adding section volumes. Then, two samples representing the top and bottom sections of each component were taken to the laboratory and oven-dried at 105˚C until a constant weight was obtained. The dry weight (biomass) of each component was estimated by converting the sample dry-weight-volume ratio to its volume. The dbh measurements for the tree species Alstonia, Hulanhik, Hurimara, Lunumidella, and Ketakela ranged from 25-34 cm, 30-52 cm, 20-43 cm, 25-60 cm, and 25-46 cm, and the stem biomasses ranged from 100-230 kg, 200-900 kg, 160-220 kg, 100-400 kg, and 50-225 kg respectively. The lengths of branches of the tree species ranged from 8-13 m, 11-19 m, 8-16 m, 4- 11 m, and 10-15 m, and their branch biomasses varied between 15-55 kg, 200-900 kg, 10-35 kg, 20- 140 kg, and 70-105 kg, respectively. The findings illustrated that the stem biomasses were higher than the branch biomasses of all the species. The highest branch biomass stem biomass partitioning percentage was observed in Ketakela, and the least was in Hurimara. The findings of this study contribute to the understanding of above-ground biomass partitioning and the timber value of the selected tree species.
Keywords: Above-ground biomass, Biomass partitioning, Stem biomass, Branch biomas
Habitat Preference and Behaviour of Critically Endangered Hog Deer (Axis porcinus) in Honduwa Island Sanctuary in Southwest Sri Lanka
No full textThe hog deer (Axis porcinus) represents a globally endangered cervid species indigenous to South and Southeast Asia. The Sri Lankan hog deer population is classified as critically endangered, with its habitat restricted to the southwestern region of Sri Lanka. Despite the identified preference of hog deer for riverine, and tallgrass lands, limited research exists on habitat preferences and behavior of the local population. This study aimed to address this gap by conducting a comprehensive camera tap survey in an isolated population on an island sanctuary in the Bentota River. The study site (11.4 ha) hosts an introduced, semi-captive, population of hog deer. The camera trap survey was undertaken to evaluate the behavior, habitat preferences, and other autecological features of the hog deer population on Honduwa Island. A drone survey identified two principal habitat types; secondary forest vegetation and invasive-dominated marshy vegetation. Six camera traps were strategically placed according to a predetermined random grid layout generated by the R-software random number generator. The camera trap deployment strategy involved 11 iterations, with each iteration spanning 7 camera trap nights. Within each iteration, 3 camera traps were strategically positioned for each identified vegetation type. Following each iteration, the camera traps were systematically relocated. This sampling session spanned 448 camera trap nights in both habitats to capture data on the hog deer's presence. The recorded data were analyzed with Mann-Whitney U-tests using the R-software package. Examination of capture rates at individual camera trap locations revealed a noticeable preference towards secondary forest vegetation, with a mean capture rate of 129. In contrast, the invasive-dominated marshy vegetation exhibited a considerably lower mean capture rate of 21.4. The same camera trap images revealed that hog deer are comfortably co-occurring with species like porcupine (Hystrix indica), Indian pangolin (Manis crassicaudata), common rats (Rattus rattus), and fishing cats (Prionailurus viverrinus). In terms of population dynamics, the study population showed a female-skewed group composition with a February to April fawning season. Further, this isolated population showed dawn-dusk activity peaks the same as their mainland counterparts. The studied population showed predominantly solitary with occasional small groupings of females. In conclusion, the hog deer population in this study shows similar behavioral patterns, activity patterns, and relatively comparable habitat preferences to other natural populations outside of isolated, semicaptive, conditions.
Keywords: Hog Deer, Axis porcinus, Ecology, Camera trapping, Habitat preference
The Effect of Short-Term Exposure to Bisphenol-A and Its Analogue, Bisphenol-S on Growth, Survival and Sex Differentiation of Developing Zebrafish (Danio rerio)
No full textBisphenol A (BPA) is a commonly used industrial chemical that poses a significant threat to aquatic ecosystems due to environmental leaching. BPA is categorized as a xenoestrogen, which causes adverse impacts on the growth, development, and physiology of organisms. In response to increasing health concerns about BPA, Bisphenol S (BPS) was introduced as a safer alternative. However, the endocrine disruptive ability and environmental occurrence of BPS have raised concerns about its safety. Therefore, a comparative assessment on the biological effects of BPA and BPS is crucial in evaluating the relative safety of BPS. Hence this study was conducted to investigate the comparative effects of short-term exposure to BPA and BPS on the growth, survival, and sex differentiation of juvenile zebrafish (Danio rerio). Here, zebrafish of age 21 days post fertilization (dpf) were exposed to environmentally relevant higher concentrations of BPA (100 µg/L), BPS (100 µg/L) and treatment control (5% v/v ethanol) for 21 days, in triplicates. The length gain, weight gain, specific growth rate (SGR), survival rate and sex differentiation were determined at the end of the treatment. According to the results, the length gain, weight gain and SGR of fish under both BPA and BPS treatments were significantly higher than that of the treatment control. Of the bisphenols, BPA-treated fish showed a significantly higher weight gain and SGR than that of BPS treatment (p<0.05), while no notable difference in length increment was observed between BPA and BPS treatments. Considerably lower fish survival rates were shown under both bisphenol treatments than in the treatment control (p><0.05), while no significant difference in fish survival was observed between BPA and BPS (p>0.05). The sex ratio (male: female) of the treatment control was 1:1.14 while, statistically insignificant, yet female-biased sex ratios of 1:2.07 and 1:2.33 were observed for BPA and BPS respectively (p>0.05). In conclusion, both BPA and its analogue BPS have exerted negative effects on the growth and survival of juvenile zebrafish upon environmental exposure. Further both bisphenols and to a higher extent BPA showed increased weight gain, and SGR in zebrafish. Based on the observations, BPS cannot be recommended as a safe alternative to BPA, as both bisphenols significantly affect the growth, survival and to a lesser extent the sex differentiation of zebrafish in a comparable manner. Further cellular and physiological assessments are recommended in the zebrafish model to evaluate the relative safety of BPA substitutes.
Keywords: BPA, BPS, Growth, Survival rate, Sex rati
Analysis and Characterization of Pericopsis mooniana Seed Oil for Potential Applications in Cosmetics and Nutritional Supplements
Get PDFPericopsis mooniana is renowned for wood applications, while its bark and leaves find uses in ayurvedic medicine. The shifting of global cosmetic and nutritional supplement industries towards plant-based oils has led to explore novel sources. No prior studies were done on P. mooniana seed oil. Therefore this study aims to characterize the seed oil of P. mooniana by determining Fatty Acids (FA) composition as their methyl esters, nonpolar constituents in unsaponifiable matter, and other physio-chemcial properties. The oil was extracted using the soxhlet extraction method. Ash and moisture contents of seeds, Acid Value (AV), Iodine Value (IV), smoke point and thermal stability of oil were also determined. Prepared fatty acid methyl esters and chemical constituents in unsaponifiable matter were identified and quantified using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry method. Results indicated a substantial oil yield of 36.71± 0.01% with moisture content of 5.60 ± 0.19%, ash content of 3.65 ± 0.38%, AV of 2.97 ± 0.40 mg KOH/g, IV of 16.02 ± 0.14 g I2/100g, smoke point of 233.6 ± 8.57°C, decomposition temperature of 409.95 ± 1.74°C and yield of unsaponifiable matter of 1.35 ± 0.01%. The dominant FAs are oleic (41.02%) and linoleic (38.12%) acids. Major unsaponifiable matter constituents are squalene (4.01 mg/g), beta.-sitosterol (2.63 mg/g), stigmasterol (1.23 mg/g), phytol (1.45 mg/g), geranylgeraniol (1.03 mg/g) and amyrin (0.95 mg/g). Based on the finding of this study, it can be concluded that P. mooniana seed oil has the potential to be utilized in both cosmetic and nutritional supplement industries
A Study of Two-Wheel Self-Balancing Robot Dynamics for Control Systems Learning
Get PDFThe two-wheeled self-balancing robot (TWSBR), utilizing an inverted pendulum arrangement, exhibits dynamic stability while being statically unstable. Due to this behavior, the TWSBR system has been used to demonstrate fundamental principles of stability, nonlinear dynamics, and control theory. In this work, a computational study of the TWSBR was carried out to develop a mathematical model using Newtonian mechanics that serves as an educational tool in control education for demonstrating the impact of different control algorithms such as Proportional (P), ProportionalDerivative (PD), and Proportional-Integral-Derivative (PID) on system stability. The comparison of P, PD, and PID controllers was undertaken to demonstrate the practical advantages of each controller in improving the robot's stability and responsiveness. The PID controller was designed and optimized using the Root-locus techniques, with a damping ratio equal to 1 which exhibits a fast-settling time with minimum overshoots. When an impulse response was applied to the PID controller in the simulation environment it demonstrated system can reach a dynamic balance within 1.2 seconds demonstrating the effectiveness of the proposed PID controller. The optimal gain parameters K value and Kp, Ki, and Kd parameter values were determined using root-locus analysis, which allowed the system to operate with great stability and minimum settling time. These findings highlight the TWSBR's educational significance as a hands-on tool for teaching practical applications of control theory, as well as providing valuable insights into the design and optimization of control systems for dynamic balance tasks. This study emphasizes the relevance of control algorithms in achieving rapid and stable dynamic behaviors, making it a valuable learning resource for both students and instructors.
Keywords: Two-wheeled self-balancing robot, Inverted pendulum, P, PD and PID controllers, Stability analysis, Control Educatio