Phytosociological attributes and ecosystem services of homegardens of Maheshkhali island of Bangladesh

Abstract

Homegardens with diverse plants have the potential to generate ecosystem services. We investigated phytosociological attributes and ecosystem services, and thereof economic benefits, and how attributes of homegardens and socioeconomic characteristics of the households influencing the economic benefits and regulating services of homegardens of Maheshkhali Island in South-Western Bangladesh. We randomly surveyed and interviewed a total of 239 homegardens and respective households located in the hillside (67), beachside (69), and inland (103) of Maheshkhali island, and conducted three focus group discussions. Tree species diversity and tree individuals per household were significantly higher in the hillside and inland in comparison to beachside. We found 56 tree species which have a wide range of regulating services. About 31-37%, 31-46%, 31-39%, and 37-42% of tree species across the three locations provide shade, coastal protection, soil improvement, and conservation services, respectively, with more species on the beachside for coastal protection. The responses of regulating services were significantly affected by respondents’ age and gender. About 40-44% of tree species provide multiple provisioning services. These services of homegardens contributed to the household economy (income, utilization, and sale of tree biomass fuels, fruits, timber, and bamboo) and avoided CO2 emissions, which were higher in inland and hillside than the beachside, where households were relatively poor. These sale revenues and utilization values increased with the increasing size of landholdings and homegardens, tree and bamboo individuals, and species diversity, contributed to increasing income. The attributes of homegardens were also positively correlated with the harvesting of biomass fuels and avoided emissions, and had a positive contribution to total energy supply. Having a wide range of economic and ecological values, it is important to ensure the sustainability of homegardens. Authorities (e.g., Local government councils, forest department) may provide incentives such as technical advice and material support for the conservation of homegardens.