Structure and floristics of Bangladesh homegardens

Abstract

A vegetation survey of traditional homegardens in four regions (South western, North western, Eastern and Central northern) in Bangladesh was conducted with reference to marginal (> 0.002–0.08 ha), small (> 0.08–0.14 ha), medium (> 0.14–0.20 ha) and large (> 0.20 ha) farm categories. Eighty homegardens (five from each farm category in each of the four regions) were assessed in terms of perennial species. The floristic data were ordinated (DECORANA) with respect to homegarden categories based on size and region.

Most species were planted in the border of the homegardens irrespective of farm size and region. Food and fruit producing species dominated near the living quarter and working areas and small plots of annual vegetables and crops separated this part of the garden from more distant parts favoured for timber species. Six vertical strata were recognised with higher plant density and species richness recorded in the lower three. In total ninety two perennial species were recorded for the set of 80 homegardens surveyed. From gardens in the South western region 67 species were recorded. Corresponding figures were 56 for the Central northern region, 54 for the Eastern region and 46 for the North western region. Within regions there were significant differences in species richness associated with farm size, and within each homegarden size category there were significant differences among regions. Diversity was highest among food and fruit producing species, followed by the timber species. The ordination showed a distinction between the North western and the other regions due to a combination of lower species richness in the North western region homegardens and several species exclusive to the region. Floristic differences led to less marked but nevertheless important differences among the other regions, also.