International Journal of Horticulture and Floriculture

ISSN 2756-3790

International Journal of Horticulture and Floriculture ISSN 2167-0455 Vol. 7 (3), pp. 001-015, March, 2019. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Floristic composition and canopy structure of home-gardens in São Luís city, Maranhão State, Brazil

1F. K. Akinnifesi1,3*, G. Sileshi1, Joselene da Costa3, E. G. de Moura3, Rosele F. da Silva3, O. C. Ajayi1, J. F. P. Linhares3,4, A. I. Akinnifesi2, Maria de Araujo3 and M. A. I. Rodrigues3

1World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF), P. O. Box 30798, Lilongwe, Malawi.

2Chancellor College, University of Malawi, Zomba, Malawi.

3Universidade Estadual do Maranhão, São Luis, Brazil.

4Universidade Federal de Maranhão (UFMA), São Luis, Brazil.

Accepted 14 January, 2019

Abstract

Tropical home-gardens are widely recognized as a repository of biodiversity of domesticated and wild plant, and animal species that need to be developed to meet livelihood needs and for purpose of their conservation. Despite being the oldest form of agroforestry, this system is still poorly studied and understood. This study investigates the pattern of indigenous and exotic flora in the home-gardens managed by urban dwellers in São Luis city, Maranhão, Brazil. Forty home-gardens were randomly selected from ten locations and studied for their species richness and diversity, floristic distribution and canopy structure. The species were categorized as exotic and indigenous to Brazil. The home-gardens were species-rich, with 186 plant species in total. Of the species recorded, 62% produced edible fruit and nut trees, 17% were food crops, 7.5% were condiments, 7.5% were of medicinal value and 6.4% were timber species. Nearly 60% of all species were indigenous. Differences in species composition determined differences in vertical canopy structure. The floristic composition and high abundance of indigenous and exotic species managed or retained in the home-gardens demonstrates high degree of biodiversity conserved by urban dwellers in São Luís.

Key words: Homegardens, canopy structure, floristic composition, São Luis.

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G. Sileshi on Google Scholar G. Sileshi on Pubmed F. K. Akinnifesi* on Google Scholar F. K. Akinnifesi* on Pubmed J. F. P. Linhares on Google Scholar J. F. P. Linhares on Pubmed Rosele F. da Silva on Google Scholar Rosele F. da Silva on Pubmed Joselene da Costa on Google Scholar Joselene da Costa on Pubmed Maria de Araujo and M. A. I. Rodrigues on Google Scholar Maria de Araujo and M. A. I. Rodrigues on Pubmed E. G. de Moura on Google Scholar E. G. de Moura on Pubmed A. I. Akinnifesi on Google Scholar A. I. Akinnifesi on Pubmed O. C. Ajayi on Google Scholar O. C. Ajayi on Pubmed