Diversity of plant species in arecanut agroforests of south Meghalaya, north-east India

Abstract

In south Meghalaya, farmers maintain a variety of economically important plant species in arecanut agroforestry systems. We investigated plant species composition of arecanut agroforests of south Meghalaya and encountered 160 plants, which included 83 tree species, 22 shrub species, 41 herb species and 14 climber species. The study reveals that arecanut agroforests provide cash income, medicine, timber, fuelwood and edibles for household consumption as well as for sale. We conclude that these agroforestry systems serve as home for many economically important plant species, harbour rich biodiversity and mimic the natural forests both in structural composition as well as ecological and economic functions.

Keywords

agroforests / arecanut / diversity / South Meghalaya / War Khasi

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