Dominance Profile, Structural Configuration and Functional Dynamics of Kerala Homegardens in Tropical India Thomas Allan1,*, Thomas Usha C2 1Department of Agricultural Extension, Kerala Agricultural University, College of Agriculture, Vellayani-695 522 2Department of Agronomy, Kerala Agricultural University, College of Agriculture, Vellayani-695522 *email: t_allan@rediffmail.com
Online published on 23 December, 2016. Abstract 208 homegardens of South Kerala was premeditated using multi-stage stratified random sampling technique. The structural configuration was identified using the measure of Shannon and Wiener diversity index, Margalef's species richness and Pileou's measure of evenness. Primarily a system with dominance was developed. Mid region in case of all districts had the highest biodiversity within and between districts. Ten major dominance was established. The study mainly implied that the effect of zonation and variance of structure implies that the match between the variation in priorities of the home and the spatial arrangement of the homegarden was strong both socio-economically and bio-physically. Increase in population, emerging nucleotide family structure and high rate of fragmented holdings year round leading to decreased land for agriculture raises the conservation status of these land-use systems and makes it necessary for a ‘homegarden policy’ in regions where they are found. Top Keywords homegarden, structure, function, biodiversity, species richness, dominance. Top |