Floral Diversity Status in Urban Coastal Wetland &Associated Coastal Ecosystems of Crow Island Mattakkuliya, Sri Lanka

Colombo is the capital of Sri Lanka and the only wetland city in South Asia under the Ramsar Convention. Crow Island Beach Park and associated coastal area belong to the Colombo urban coastal wetland ecosystems. Crow Island wetland contributes diverse habitats for numerous flora and fauna species. The present study was conducted to assess the status of floral diversity in the Crow Island Beach Park and associated coastal ecosystem during the months of August to October 2021. Study area is divided in to three sites (A, B, C). Line transects method and field observations were used in the study. This coastal wetland consists of mosaic of five major vegetation types: Herbaceous, tree, shrub, creeper, grass and other than that marine algae namely Chaetomorpha antennina, Rhizoclonium africanum, Ulva compressa belonging to chlorophyta (green algae) and Grateloupia lithophila belonging to rhodophyta (red algae) were found in the study area. A total number of 102 flora species belonging to 50 families were recorded from the study area. There were two true mangrove species and 16 mangrove associated species in the study sites. Out of the 102 plant species 46 were recognized and documented as plants with medicinal values. Shannon-Wiener diversity indexes for mangrove and mangrove associated species were recorded as 2.378, 2.304 and 1.676 in site A, B and C respectively. Simpson’s diversity index for mangrove and mangrove associated species was recorded as 0.889, 0.874 and 0.735 respectively in site A, B and C and Jaccard index of similarity between three study sites showed high values ranging from 41% to 69% for mangrove and mangrove associated species.

Lycopene Concentration and Physico-Chemical Properties of Tropical Fruits

In this study, the lycopene concentration and physico-chemical properties of tropical fruits in ripe for immediate consumption was evaluated. Chonto tomatoes had greater lycopene contents than Milano or Long Life Milano tomatoes, 107 as against 89 and 58 μg/(g fresh weight), respectively

Effect of niobium alloying level on the oxidation behavior of titanium aluminides at 850°C

This work addresses the alloying of titanium aluminides used in aircraft engine applications and automobiles. The oxidation resistance behavior of two titanium aluminides of α2 ＋ γ （Ti3Al ＋ TiAl） and orthorhombic Ti2NbAl, recognized as candidates for high-temperature applications, was investigated by exposure of the alloys for 100 h in air. Thus, oxidation resistance was expressed as the mass gain rate, whereas surface aspects were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy in conjunction with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and the type of oxidation products was analyzed by X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy. The orthorhombic Ti2NbAl alloy was embrittled, and pores and microcracks were formed as a result of oxygen diffusion through the external oxide layer formed during thermal oxidation for 100 h.

Deliberative Democracy Establishment in Environmental Policies： alternatives for the Environmental Conflict Resolution

The environmental problems can not be addressed in all their depth and complexity, and the most viable solutions can be made only by direct and continuous reference to the large issues of the development of the society as a whole. Environment and economic development are indissoluble, the first is where we all live, and development is what we all do to improve our fate in this environment. A main cause is the attitude of economic operators towards the environment, an attitude according to which profit should be pursued immediately, while nature protection is left for later. Ecological crisis is a new phenomenon, but derived from anthropological crisis. This reflects, at a global level, man＇s inner crisis. Every man in part, and not people or humanity in general, is responsible for this crisis. Individual responsibility is not a question of quality, but a question of quantity. The ecological crisis is linked to the personal and social life of man as a whole. The convenience, lack of respect for things, irrational waste, lack of measure, irresponsibility, injustice, exploitation, winning dirty money, eudemonism, which manifest on all aspects of life and human activity, are factors that provoke it. And, unfortunately, they maintain it.