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Structure, diversity and utilization of plant species in tribal homegardens of Kerala, India

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Abstract

Homegardens in traditional agroforestry systems are considered as sustainable production system with multiple functions. Indigenous knowledge of tribal communities associated with their homegardens always contributes in food security and biodiversity conservation. The present study aims at understanding the structural and floristic diversity of the homegardens, and utilization of plant species by the tribal communities in the Attappady valley of Kerala, India. Overall 104 homegardens were sampled randomly for assessing the diversity and the usage of various plant species. Data on indigenous knowledge was collected from tribal owners. Structurally, two types of homegardens were identified from the study area, which characterized by two and four layered vertical canopy strata. A total of 182 plant species belonging to 160 genera and 67 families were recorded from the sample homegardens. Comparing the diversity and distribution of plant species among the three communities, highest was found in the homegardens of Mudugas who are inhabiting the high and medium rainfall zones (Shannon diversity index 2.18) and observed its lowest value in the low rainfall zone where Irula communities live (Shannon diversity index 1.45). The homegardens of the study area has rich diversity and home for many useful plants. Considering the usage, 39% were edible, 24% were ornamental and 25% were medicinal. Hence the study indicates that the tribal homegardens are contributing considerably to food security and livelihoods of tribal communities in the Attappady valley.

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Acknowledgement

The research project was funded by Department of Science and Technology, New Delhi through DST-INSPIRE fellowship. We are thankful to Irula tribal field assistants, Pappal and Nanji, for accompanying in our field visits and express our gratitude to various tribal elders for providing necessary information. We thank the external reviewers for their valuable comments that helped to great extend in modifying the manuscript. We are also grateful to Dr. A P Thomas, Director, Advanced Centre of Environmental Studies and Sustainable Development for giving necessary support and encouragement.

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  1. Advanced Centre of Environmental Studies and Sustainable Development (ACESSD), Mahatma Gandhi University, Priyadarsini Hills, Kottayam, Kerala, 686 560, India

    M. Veena George & G. Christopher

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  1. M. Veena George
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George, M.V., Christopher, G. Structure, diversity and utilization of plant species in tribal homegardens of Kerala, India. Agroforest Syst 94, 297–307 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10457-019-00393-5

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