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<p>Homegardens (HG) in the Darjeeling Himalayas represent indigenous and sustainable agroforestry systems that spatially integrate diverse crops, trees, and livestock through traditional knowledge. These multifunctional landscapes play a vital role in conserving biodiversity, enhancing food security, and sustaining rural livelihoods. The present study examined the influence of altitude and vertical stratification on the structure, species composition, and socio-economic attributes of 150 HG (n = 50 per altitudinal class: Low, 100–800&#xa0;m&#xa0;asl; Mid, 800–1600&#xa0;m&#xa0;asl; High, &gt; 1600&#xa0;m&#xa0;asl). HG size ranged from 0.01 to 0.28&#xa0;ha (mean = 0.07 ± 0.04&#xa0;ha) with 3–5 vertical strata. Most HG (67%) were over 50&#xa0;years old, and 22% exceeded a century in age, reflecting their deep-rooted traditional significance. Agriculture formed the primary livelihood (60%) of HG owners, complemented by livestock rearing (cows, goats, pigs, and poultry), which contributed to income and nutrition. The majority (85%) reported HG-based income ranging from US$ 67–135 per month. Results indicated that HG age, stratification, and species richness varied with altitude; however, stratification complexity emerged as the key determinant of species richness, while altitude and its interaction effects were not significant. Livestock numbers differed across altitudes, with Low-altitude HG (5.1 ± 3.6) maintaining significantly more animals than High-altitude HG (4.3 ± 4.3), whereas Mid-altitude HG (4.7 ± 4.1) showed intermediate values. Overall, the findings highlight the ecological importance of vertical stratification and the resilience of traditional HG systems that continue to sustain biodiversity and livelihoods across the altitudinal gradients of the Darjeeling Himalayas.</p>

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Altitudinal influence on homegarden composition and livelihood contributions in the Darjeeling Himalayas

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年11月4日

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  • Biplov Ch. Sarkar,
  • N. N. Shahina,
  • Gopal Shukla,
  • Arun Jyoti Nath,
  • Sumit Chakravarty

摘要

Homegardens (HG) in the Darjeeling Himalayas represent indigenous and sustainable agroforestry systems that spatially integrate diverse crops, trees, and livestock through traditional knowledge. These multifunctional landscapes play a vital role in conserving biodiversity, enhancing food security, and sustaining rural livelihoods. The present study examined the influence of altitude and vertical stratification on the structure, species composition, and socio-economic attributes of 150 HG (n = 50 per altitudinal class: Low, 100–800 m asl; Mid, 800–1600 m asl; High, > 1600 m asl). HG size ranged from 0.01 to 0.28 ha (mean = 0.07 ± 0.04 ha) with 3–5 vertical strata. Most HG (67%) were over 50 years old, and 22% exceeded a century in age, reflecting their deep-rooted traditional significance. Agriculture formed the primary livelihood (60%) of HG owners, complemented by livestock rearing (cows, goats, pigs, and poultry), which contributed to income and nutrition. The majority (85%) reported HG-based income ranging from US$ 67–135 per month. Results indicated that HG age, stratification, and species richness varied with altitude; however, stratification complexity emerged as the key determinant of species richness, while altitude and its interaction effects were not significant. Livestock numbers differed across altitudes, with Low-altitude HG (5.1 ± 3.6) maintaining significantly more animals than High-altitude HG (4.3 ± 4.3), whereas Mid-altitude HG (4.7 ± 4.1) showed intermediate values. Overall, the findings highlight the ecological importance of vertical stratification and the resilience of traditional HG systems that continue to sustain biodiversity and livelihoods across the altitudinal gradients of the Darjeeling Himalayas.