STRUCTURE AND SPECIES DIVERSITY OF TRADITIONAL HOMEGARDENS IN BATTICALOA DISTRICT

Abstract

A homegarden is part of a household livelihood strategy and has gained prominence as a natural asset through which sustainable use of resources, for the livelihoods of the poor, may be achieved. Despite the benefits, homegardens in the Batticaloa district have not been evaluated in-depth. This study focused on the composition, structure, diversity and different systems of homegardens in the Batticaloa district. The study was conducted in three Divisional Secretariat divisions in the district where 206 samples were collected. Results of the study revealed that average number of trees per household was 6.56. Species richness, varied from 2- 56 with the mean of 12.93. Mean Shannon index was 0.66. Two different types of systems were identified viz., Single layered and Multi layered systems. Single storied system composed only of banana or cashew or coconut trees. Only 23% homegardens were classified as single layered system while the rest were multi layered system.