Changing pattern of species composition and species utilization in homegardens of Kerala, India

Authors and Affiliation: Chandrashekara UM and Baiju EC, Kerala Forest Research Institute Sub Centre, Chandakunnu P.O., Nilambur 679 342, Kerala, India

Journal: Tropical Ecology 51(2): 221-233, 2010

Abstract: Tropical homegardens are traditional agroforestry systems with complex structure and multiple functions. These multi-species production systems are regarded as the model systems for designing sustainable agroecosystems. However, with the advent of market economy, mixed species tropical homegardens are being transformed into single species dominant homegardens. The objective of this study was to analyze the impact of homegarden transformation on species diversity and also changing pattern of usage of species wealth by farmers in Kerala. The plant diversity index values ranged from 1.02 to 2.97 with significantly (P < 0.05) greater value in old mixed-species homegardens (OMSHG) followed by new mixedspecies homegardens (NMSHG), old single species dominant homegardens (OSSHG) and new single-species homegardens (NSSHG). About 65 % - 83 % of total number of naturally growing species in mixed species homegardens and 20 % - 30 % in single species dominant homegardens are managed. The ratio between actual usage of species and the potential uses of species in each homegarden was calculated. The value obtained for naturally growing species was significantly greater (P < 0.05) in the old homegardens than in new homegardens. We conclude that the knowledge base on the properties and potential uses of naturally growing species in homegardens is depleting due to transformation of homegardens into single species dominant systems.