Composition of homestead forests and their contribution to local livelihoods and environment: A study focused on Bandarban hill district, Bangladesh

Abstract

This study investigates the composition of homestead forests and the role they play in rural livelihoods with a focus on Chittagong Hill Tracts of Bangladesh. We also assess the potential environmental contribution of the forests to avoid carbon emissions from fossil fuels replaced with fuelwood. Methods involve randomly surveying a total of 176 homestead forests and relevant households of the study area at three different hill altitudes: low, medium and high. Results show a total of 71 tree and bamboo species of specific or multipurpose value, representing a rich reservoir of tree floral composition and diversity in the homestead forests. The study finds an even distribution of species in the forests with an evenness index of 0.91. The higher tree species diversity and tree density per homestead forest are ascribed to higher literacy, livelihood, and experience (age of respondents) of the households in mid-hills compared to the households of the other two hilly altitudes. The harvests and sales of fuelwood, timber, and bamboo in diverse mid-hill homestead forests are higher compared to the other hills, significantly contributing to the total income of the households. Data analysis also shows that there is a potential of avoiding fossil fuel emissions of 0.22 Mg CO2 e HH−1 a−1 by using fuelwood collected from the forests at the household level. The contribution of homestead forests in the hilly rural economy and their potential of environmental amelioration by avoiding emissions warrant future policy consideration and actions in a changing climate.