Plant Species Diversity and Structure in Homegarden Agroforestry Systems of Bulen District, North-Western Ethiopia

Abstract

Homegarden agroforestry system mostly constitutes complex multi-strata than other agroforestry systems. The aim of this study was to investigate the structure, composition and diversity of plant species growing in homegarden agroforestry system in Bulen district, North-West Ethiopia. The study was conducted in five kebeles of the district, which were randomly selected. Systematic random sampling procedure was employed to select households from each kebele. Thus, 138 households from each site were selected proportionally. The result from the surveyed 138 households indicated that 110 (80%) were practicing homegarden agroforestry system. The determination of vertical and horizontal structure of the vegetation was conducted for 110 homegardens. All woody species and herbaceous species were counted and recorded in 5m x 5m and 1mx1m quadrants, respectively. Furthermore, a total of 22 plant species belonging to 15 families were recorded in sampled homegardens in which about 3-5 different species of plants per quadrant were recorded. A higher Shannon diversity index of plant species in the study area were (H'=2.44) while the lower Shannon diversity index were (H'=2.21). The studied homegarden agroforestry system had complex structure both vertically and horizontally, which in turn provide economical benefit and ecological service to the households.