Abstract:
The use of lagoon ecosystems is a prevalent environmental problem in today's
world. As the biomass production of lagoons has increased, the lagoon
ecosystem is gradually being destroyed with human use. As the population
grows, the damage is escalating. Over-consumption of natural resources
globally and due to the degradation, those scarce resources are now being
ecologically charged a value. The main objective of this study is to identify
the ecological services of the Puttalam Lagoon (PL). Puttalam Divisional
Secretariat Division selected as the study area for this research. Primary data
collected through questionnaires and interviews from thirty randomly selected
persons in five Grama Niladhari Divisions in the boundary of the PL. Also,
the data verified through the observation. To analyze the data, both
quantitative and descriptive methods were used. MS excel software is used to
analyze quantitative data and tables, charts, and maps that were used to
interpret the data. According to the above analysis, the ecological services
provided by the lagoon environment were categorized as production services,
environmental phenomena protection services, cultural services, and services
to other ecosystems. These services have been a great help to the daily life of
the people living in the area. But it was also proved by the observation that
there was a misuse of resources in terms of the way it was used. It is necessary
to study the nature of these services to preserve the ecosystem in the lagoon.
When obtaining services from the lagoon, it is time to consider future
generations and ensure that they do not harm the lagoon's environment.
Enforcing the existing rules in this regard is strategic. Further, residents should
be properly educated and encouraged to protect the lagoon.
