Work

Assessment of Plant Species Diversity and Benefits of Agroforestry Homegardens in Umuahia North Local Government Area, Abia State, Nigeria

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: A field survey was conducted to assess plant species diversity of homegarden agroforestry system and its benefits to household in Umuahia North Local Government Area, Abia State, Nigeria. A multi stage sampling technique was used to select eighty households for data collection. Descriptive statistics such as mean, percentage, frequency distribution and table were used to analyze the data. A total of 72 plant species (40 woody and 32 herbaceous), belonging to 38 families were recorded. Fabaceae and Rutaceae were the most diverse among the woody species while in the herbaceous species, Solanaceae and Poaceae were the dominant families. Food production (89%) was the main benefit derived from the homegardens. Other benefits were shade (69%), medicinal and financial (68%), erosion control (24%) and beautification (43%). The result further revealed that homegarden practices pose some challenges. It was documented that 85% of the homegarden farmers have never been visited by extension agents. Agroforestry homegardens are hotspots for local plant species conservation. Some species recorded in the studied homegardens are in IUCN Red list as either vulnerable or near threatened. Adequate government initiative is vital to promote the development of the homegarden agroforestry system.

Source: Egyptian Academic Journal of Biological Sciences, H. Botany/Egyptian Academic Journal of Biological Sciences, H. Botany

DOI: 10.21608/eajbsh.2025.424259

Authors: Koyejo, A. O.,, Adetunji, S. A., Koyejo, O. A., Nwachukwu J. Q., Okpara, I. G.

Institution: Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria

Language: English

Topic: African Botany and Ecology Studies

Subfield: Forestry

Field: Agricultural and Biological Sciences

Domain: Life Sciences

SDGs: Life on land, Zero hunger

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $100