Abstract
Based on Landsat MSS data of 1977 and 1987 together with in situ surveys, landcover and landuse maps are made for the central southern part of Sri Lanka then the change of landcover and deforestation in 10 years period is estimated. The change amounts to 16 % decrease in evergreen forests, 39 % increase in scrublands and 63 % decrease in open water areas.
Analyses of 30 yeras monthly and annual mean precipitation and air temperature data collected from the surrounding observing stations indicate a complicated distribution pattern with a fairly large variability in case of precipitation while in case of air temperature 5 years moving average of the annual air temperature indicates a steady increase. These facts well coincide with the villagers perception on the natural environments.
