Basically there are 5 vegetation types

• Semi Evergreen Forests

• Sub Montane Forest

• Montane Forest

• Patana and Savanna Grasslands

• Riverine Forests

Semi Evergreen Forests
These types of forests cam be seen in the lower elevation (below 700m) in the Knuckles Mountain Range. These forests harbor many large trees for an example, phyllanthis indica, crateara religiosa, sterculia foetida, bombex can be given. The trees in these types of forests shed their leaves during the dry and windy seasons, in July-August and therefore the animal diversity in this area is very high and different kinds of birds and insects can be seen thought out the whole year.

The other important aspects about this type of vegetation are that they function as excellent catchments of river Mahaveli. They are effective in blocking or intercepting rain with little or no soil erosion and sustain streams, which plays a key role in sustaining of downstream ecosystem.
 

Sub Montane Forest

A transitional biological beet between highlands and lowlands is clearly visible in this area. This vegetation type is threatened due to the Cardamom cultivation expansion of tea and human activities. This vegetation type mostly experiences the dry wind during the year, especially during the period of May-August and this forest type also plays a key role as primary catchments and watershed area.
 

Montane Forest

This vegetation type can be seen above 1300m in Knuckles Range and can be seen areas such as Thangappuwa, Kalupahana and Gombaniya. During the year heavy mist can be seen in these types of forests. Montane forests are the most important catchments and water shed areas of the Knuckles Range. It plays a key role in providing a water supply to sustain the ecosystems and livelihoods through the year in the downstream areas. These types of the forests contribute a lot when it comes to the natural beauty in Knuckles Mountain Range.

 

Patana and Savanna Grasslands

The man created fires due to the "Hena" cultivation courses in Knuckles Region turn into savanna vegetation types. Threes, which are adapted to fire, can be seen in these forests. Savanna vegetation types can be seen only on hill slopes below corbel’s gap area and this vegetation type has a very basic and simple structure. Also isolated trees which have about 10m height scattered over vast expanse of grasslands can be seen.

Patana
This vegetation type can be seen in hills below 1000m. This vegetation type occurs due to various human activities such as agricultural expansion due to tea and chena cultivation, fire and removal of timber species.

‘Pitawala Patane’ is a unique creation of the environment and can be seen by the side of Rattota, Illukkumbura in Central Province of Sri Lanka. Pitawala Patana is the grazing land of large number of buffaloes and cattle owned by villagers in the vicinity.


Riverine Forests

These types of forests can be seen along the banks of streams such as Kaluganga and Heenganga in Knuckles Mountain Range. The advantage of these forests are they act like frontline defense against stream bank erosion due to water current and provide convenient resting sites for animals in Knuckles Mountain Range.