Forest Reserves in Urban Landscape: Case of Udawattakele and Dunumadalawa Forest Patches in Kandy, Sri Lanka

Abstract

Urban forests play a significant role in urban space since their provision of ecosystem services. The study focuses on two urban forests in Kandy City, Sri Lanka: Udawattakele and Dunumadalawa. The aims are to identify the current status of the ecosystem services and the main challenges in maintaining two urban forest patches. We used field surveys, observations, and interviews to identify changes in forests and services. Reduction of forest and species changes were studied using Google maps and image analysis. The city's forest cover decreased from 64 to 48.9% in 20 years. As a result, the water level in Kandy Lake decreased, followed by the rapid development of the urban heat island effect, species degradation, and spread of diseases. Unbalanced increment of fauna species negatively influenced food supply level. Urban forests impact local weather by reduction of land surface temperature, air pollution, and air purification. Moreover, examined forest patches help to supply purified water to Kandy City. The decrease in urban forest patches makes the city more vulnerable. Thus, re-plantation, proper boundary demarcation, and adopting appropriate management strategies represent current city needs.