AN APPROACH OF RAPID ASSESSMENT OF WETLAND ECOSYSTEM SERVICES IN KOTTE MARSHLAND, SRI LANKA

Freshwater marshlands are a more productive ecosystem that, influenced by anthropogenic activities, causes degradation and loss of wetlands. Kotte marshland has been located in the urban administrative area of the capital city in Sri Lanka, which is threatened by rapid development and population growth. This study aims to explore wetland ecosystem services and the loss of marshes in the Kotte marshland area from 2004 to 2021. Google Earth Pro and Open Street Map were used to identify the loss of marshes. Observation and discussion were used to implement the rapid assessment of the ecosystem services approach to wetlands. Numerical values were assigned to the evaluation sheets of the marshland ecosystem services to achieve the findings. 21 of the 37 ecosystem services listed in the evaluation method were registered a positive contribution to the surrounding environment in the Kotte wetland. However, no negative assistance ecosystem services were found in the Kotte marsh. The decline of the marshland reduces the quality and quantity of the ecosystem services in this area. As an urban wetland, the protection of the Kotte marshland is essential to avoid impacts such as air pollution, flood hazard, local climate regulation and habitat loss. Thus, this finding can be helpful to developing ecosystem services regulations to protect the wetland environment in the future. Finally, this study contributes to Ramsar strategic plan goal 1, which focuses on addressing wetland loss and degradation drivers to achieve the sustainable development goals.