Abstract:
Homegarden agroforestry practice involves integration of various woody perennials,
herbaceous crops and/or livestock on the same unit of land. Studying plant species
diversity and structure in homegardens is important to understand their social and
ecological benefits and safeguard them from overexploitation and degradation. Yet, in
Gombora District, Hadiya Zone, no inventory and documentation of the existing plant
species composition, diversity, and Their Socioeconomic Benefits in homegarden
agroforestry practice have been conducted. The current study was designed to investigate
the composition, diversity, and structure of plant species in homegardens agroforestry
practice of the study area using purposive and systematic random sampling methods in
three agroecologies. All woody and herbaceous plant species were identified and
recorded, counted, and measured in a 10 x 10m and 2 x 2m plots, respectively.
Socioeconomic data were collected from a total of 130 Households by using semi
structured questionnaires. A total of 51 plant species, belonging to 30 families were
recorded with Rosaceae and Rutaceae families dominating the homegardens each
containing 5 and 4 species, respectively. It was found that enset, vegetables, fruit trees
and cereal crops were typical features of most of the homegardens and most woody
species were found relatively away from the homes. The upper layer was dominated by
woody plants species and the bottom layer was dominated by vegetables and spices. A
significantly (P<0.05) higher Shannon diversity and species richness was recorded in
homegardens in the midland agroecology and rich households. Species richness and
abundance were significantly (P<0.05) higher in homegardens of rich households than
medium and poor wealth categories. This finding showed that wealth status and
agroecology have an effect in determining plant species diversity, richness, and
abundance in homegarden agroforestry practice. Poor farmers should be encouraged and
supported through incentives and extension services to diversify their homegarden
