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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