Funday Times

Wet Patans
Wet patans a type of grassland found in the Central Mountains at elevations above 1,500 m, where average rainfall is more than 2,500 mm per annum. Wet Patanas are found in Horton Plains National Park, on the Eastern slopes of Totapelalla, up to the Hakgala Valley and in Nuwara Eliya.

Characterized by different species of grasses and herbs, the only tree species found in Wet Patanas is Maha Ratmal (Rhododendron zeylanicum), which has a dwarfed and gnarled characteristic, and is identifiable readily by its large, showers of flowers. Rodents and shrews are abundant in this vegetation type. There is high degree of endemism for these groups in Wet Patanas.

Grasslands, in general, minimize soil erosion from steep slopes and provide catchment protection. Only around 65,000 ha of Patanas remain, and are threatened heavily as a consequence of illegal burning and clearing for agriculture.

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