A Review on the Floral Composition of Kanneliya - Dediyagala - Nakiyadeniya (KDN) Forest Complex in Sri Lanka

Kanneliya - Dediyagala - Nakiyadeniya (KDN) forest complex is an international biosphere reserve belongs to the lower wet bio-climatic zone. The area is significant for exceptional plant endemicity. Due to the selective logging, exotic species like Alstonia macrophylla and Swetinia macrophylla have become pioneers of the forest area. This study is a literature-based review on the plant species in KDN forest complex with the objective to assess the floristic richness of KDN forest complex. Available studies from 1985 up to 2017 reported various information on the floral composition, diversity and abundance, ecological sensitivity and conservation providing a more distinct view on KDN forest complex. Calculating Important Value Index for plant families, most studies have identified Kanneliya as the core area among the three reserves than Dediyagala and Nakiyadeniya. The topography of the Kanneliya forest reserve area made it as the core area while Nakiyadeniya also reported for high floristic richness. The floristic richness recorded from Dediyagala forest reserve is lower, compared to other two reserves. Kanneliya also identified as a prominent lower wet zone forest for moss flora where species belonging to13 families and 21 genera recorded. This shows the necessity of conservation of plant species in KDN forest complex.