Plant Composition and Species Use in Agroforestry Homegardens in the Eastern Amazon, Brazil

Daniela Pauletto (), Lucieta Guerreiro Martorano, Lucas Sérgio de Sousa Lopes, Michelliny Pinheiro de Matos Bentes, Thiago Almeida Vieira, Thiago Gomes de Sousa Oliveira, Verena Santos de Sousa, Ádria Fernandes da Silva, Pricila da Silva Ferreira de Lima, Aldeize Santos Tribuzy and Iandra Victória Pinto Guimarães
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Daniela Pauletto: Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biodiversidade e Biotecnologia, Cidade Universitária Prof. José da Silveira Netto (Campus Guamá), Instituto de Ciências Biológicas (ICB), Belém 66075-110, Brazil
Lucieta Guerreiro Martorano: Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biodiversidade e Biotecnologia, Cidade Universitária Prof. José da Silveira Netto (Campus Guamá), Instituto de Ciências Biológicas (ICB), Belém 66075-110, Brazil
Lucas Sérgio de Sousa Lopes: Departamento de Engenharia Florestal, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa 36570-900, Brazil
Michelliny Pinheiro de Matos Bentes: Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biodiversidade e Biotecnologia, Cidade Universitária Prof. José da Silveira Netto (Campus Guamá), Instituto de Ciências Biológicas (ICB), Belém 66075-110, Brazil
Thiago Almeida Vieira: Instituto de Biodiversidade e Florestas, Universidade Federal do Oeste do Pará, Santarém 68045-000, Brazil
Thiago Gomes de Sousa Oliveira: Departamento de Engenharia e Gestão Ambiental, Universidade Estadual de Ponta Grossa, Ponta Grossa 84010-330, Brazil
Verena Santos de Sousa: Departamento de Engenharia Florestal, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Curitiba 80060-000, Brazil
Ádria Fernandes da Silva: Mestrado Profissional em Gestão de Áreas Protegidas na Amazônia, Instituto Nacional de Pesquisa da Amazônia, Manaus 69067-375, Brazil
Pricila da Silva Ferreira de Lima: Instituto de Biodiversidade e Florestas, Universidade Federal do Oeste do Pará, Santarém 68045-000, Brazil
Aldeize Santos Tribuzy: Núcleo de Apoio a Pesquisa no Pará (NAPPA), Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia (INPA), Santarém 68010-630, Brazil
Iandra Victória Pinto Guimarães: Instituto de Biodiversidade e Florestas, Universidade Federal do Oeste do Pará, Santarém 68045-000, Brazil

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 15, issue 14, 1-18

Abstract: Agroforestry home gardens are integrated arrangements of common vegetable plants near residences, resembling tropical forests. They cultivate multiple species to meet families’ basic needs, including food, medicine, and family activities. This study aimed to assess the composition and use of plant species in agroforestry home gardens in three municipalities in the western region of Pará. The study analyzed 119 home gardens in Belterra, Mojuí dos Campos, and Santarém in Pará, Brazilian Amazonia. These home gardens span peri-urban, urban, floodplain, indigenous, and tourist land zones. Data were collected through questionnaires and visits, surveying 5323 plants from 188 species and 62 plant families. The findings revealed that 80.5% of plants concentrated in just 18.6% of the species, with no significant difference in species per home garden across zones. Notably, food species, particularly fruit-bearing plants, dominated these home gardens. This indicates a potential emphasis on incentive programs and public policies. Most home gardens contained up to 17 plant species, while less than half included medicinal plants. Native and exotic species were equally represented, with native plants valued for shading benefits. Agroforestry home gardens are vital for conserving and cultivating food species. Their specific purposes influence species distribution and selection, showcasing their socioeconomic and environmental significance. Thus, recognizing and investing in these land-use systems is crucial to maintain and enhance regional benefits.

Keywords: agrobiodiversity; agroecosystems; polyculture; homegardens (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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