Gastrodia gunatillekeorum, a new species in the family Orchidaceae, is described and illustrated from a tropical lowland rainforests of Sri Lanka. It is morphologically close to G. spatulata which is endemic to Indonesia owing to the white flower front with yellowish-orange colour on the inner wall of perianth tube and free part of perianth tube reflexed backwards. However, these two species can be very well differentiated on the basis of spathulate to linear petals which are shorter than sepals, fused only at the base and present inside the perianth tube; labellum elongate-elliptic and column broadest in the middle part in G. spatulata, whereas petals as long as sepals with apical 1/3rd part free (rest fused with sepals) and reflexed backwards, labellum rhomboid in shape, column broadest towards the apex in G. gunatillekeorum. Taxonomic account, line drawing, color photographs and conservation assessment are provided for the new species.

The present study was carried out in the recently established Warathenna-Hakkinda EPA in the Kandy District, Sri Lanka to investigate the avifaunal diversity and conservation threats. Sampling was conducted in two main habitat types: river islands and riverine forests. Both point count (10 m radius) and line transect (200 m long) methods were utilized and maximum of 30 minutes was used to sample the birds in each point. Food habit, niche type, endemism, abundance, and diversity indices (Shannon & Margalef) were calculated to compare the two habitats in this area. A total of 74 bird species belonging to 61 genera and 35 families were encountered from the study site. Among these, seven species are endemic: Sri Lanka Grey Hornbill, Sri Lanka Green Pigeon, Sri Lanka Wood Pigeon, Sri Lanka Hanging Parrot, Crimson-fronted Barbet, Yellow-fronted Barbet, and Sri Lanka Hill Mynah; while six were migratory: Green Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper, Indian Pitta, Asian Brown Flycatcher, Yellow Wagtail, and Grey Wagtail and the rest were non-endemic natives. Most of them were canopy and sub canopy dwellers associated with riverine forests and islands. According to the National Red List of Sri Lanka, three species, the Sri Lanka Wood Pigeon, Sri Lanka Hill Mynah, and Alpine Swift, are listed as threatened. Ardeidae, Alcedinidae, Columbidae, Accipitridae, and Apodidae were the most species rich families in this habitat. Out of the sampled species, 31% and 25% of the birds were carnivores and insectivores, respectively, while 5% were nectarivores. According to the avifauna, the riverine forests are more diverse (Shannon index H’= 2.55; Margalef’s index M= 10.92) than the river islands (H’= 2.29; M= 5.07) in this landscape. The variety of habitats along the Mahaweli River at Warathenna appears to aid in sustaining a rich bird community and this Environmental Protection Area will help create a safe haven for the birds.

We evaluated the composition, structure, and dieback of a montane forest in relation to soils and physiography of an important biogeographic region that has been sparsely studied. Our objectives were to (1) describe the forest composition and structure; (2) assess the current extent of dieback; and (3) relate tree composition, structure, and dieback proneness to edaphic and physiographic measures. We enumerated all live and dead standing plants ≥3 cm dbh, in thirty 20 × 15 m2 overstory plots. We measured all regeneration ≤1 m height in subplots, sampled soils and measures of physiography, and visually rated the proportion of crown dieback, and recorded standing dead trees. Woody plants belonged to 58 species and 25 families, of which 5% were dead. The plant families Lauraceae, Myrtaceae, and Symplocaceae represented over 50% of the basal area; Rubiaceae alone represented 25% of the stems. Multiple regressions revealed measures of edaphic and physiographic factors are associated with tree species richness and diversity, structure (e.g., basal area and stem density), and tree dieback and standing dead trees. Canopy openness and measures of soil toxicity from metals (Al and Cu) on clay‐based soils showed a predictably negative relationship with tree species richness and diversity. Basal area and stem density are positively associated with aspect and slope, and predictably negatively associated with canopy openness. Lastly, dieback and standing dead trees of the dominant canopy tree species are both positively associated with south and southwest aspects. The forest is now in a period of regeneration recovery with high numbers of regenerating secondary successional species. We propose the primary underlying factors that caused the dieback of this forest was a drought during 1970–1980 compounded by accumulations of salts and metals in the soil conveyed by winds from the sea (sodium) and from an ancient period of metallurgy downwind of the forest. However, our results are only suggestive of these causative factors and further study is necessary to confirm or refute these speculative causes for dieback.

Oberonia mahaeliyensis C. Bandara, Lakkana, Ediriweera sp. nov. is described and illustrated in montane cloud forests of Sri Lanka. Complete taxonomic description, color photographs and line drawings of the species are provided in this account.