Homegarden agroecosystems managed by Salar people on Qinghai-Tibet Plateau

Zhu, Mingjing; Luo, Binsheng; Ben, La; Chen, Ruijie; Liu, Fenggui; Long, Chunlin

doi:10.1186/s13002-021-00448-x

Cited by 9 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 36 publications

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“…Sixty households (homegardens) were randomly selected in each village by lottery, and appropriate fine-tuning was conducted with the help of local guides. We collected the data using semi-structured face-to-face interviews with homegarden households [ 13 ]. Since some Baiku Yao in the study area could not speak fluent Mandarin, assistance was obtained from local guides during the fieldwork.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Changes in homegardens in relocation villages, a case study in the Baiku Yao area in Southern China

Nong

et al. 2023

J Ethnobiology Ethnomedicine

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Background Baiku Yao is an ancient branch of the Yao people in China who have the custom of maintaining homegardens. The local government has relocated some villagers to improve their livelihood. To study the characteristics of Baiku Yao homegardens and the impact of relocation, we conducted an ethnobotanical study on homegardens in the relocated villages of Huaili and Yaozhai and in the ancient villages of Yaoshan and Duonu from January 2019 to May 2022. Method Data on homegarden plants were collected through semi-structured interviews with homegarden households. A total of 4 villages (i.e., two relocated and two ancient villages) were selected for detailed investigation. In each village, 60 homegardens were chosen randomly. In addition, the RFC index and Jaccard value were used to analyze and evaluate the homegarden plants we recorded. Result The study recorded a total of 213 species of homegarden plants with approximately 11 functions. Baiku Yao homegardens are small in size but rich in species and functions, and their utilization efficiency is extremely high. The Jaccard value shows that the homegarden plants in Huaili and Yaozhai have the highest similarity. Neighborhood sharing and market purchasing are the two most important sources of local homegarden plants. Additionally, medicine and food are the two most important uses of homegarden plants. Ornamental plants also play a significant part, especially in relocated villages. The comparisons indicate that the diversity of homegarden plants in the investigated ancient villages is better preserved than in relocated villages. Due to frequent exchanges between the villages and the outside world, Yaoshan Village, as an older relocated village, maintains a good traditional culture in its homegardens. As a newly relocated village, Duonu Community has developed a complicated homegarden system with only much less plant diversity. The development of local tourism has also impacted the composition of homegarden plants. The study found that plants such as Zea mays, Morus alba, and Capsicum annuum are closely related to local life and livelihood. Conclusion The traditional knowledge of homegarden plants in investigated ancient villiages maintained good diversity and has been affected much less by the modernization and tourism industry development compared to the relocated villages. The composition of homegarden plants is closely connected to the local livelihood. In the future development of Baiku Yao communities, protecting homegarden plant diversity and functional diversity is crucial.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Changes in homegardens in relocation villages, a case study in the Baiku Yao area in Southern China

Nong

et al. 2023

J Ethnobiology Ethnomedicine

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“…These homegardens provide a high diversity of cultivated plants for self-sufficiency and social values underpinning and contributing to cultural diversity [13][14][15]. Furthermore, homegardens are more sustainable and adapted to local demands because of the planting of traditional varieties and the use of traditional management practices [16][17][18]. Diversity in homegardens can be affected by the interactions among spatial, environmental, demographic, social, economic, and cultural factors to influence agricultural practices [19,20].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

In situ conservation of traditional vegetable diversity in Wa homegardens in southwestern Yunnan, China

Hua

Hill

Xue

et al. 2021

J Ethnobiology Ethnomedicine

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Background Homegardens are in situ conservation sources of germplasm diversity for overcoming homogenous germplasm problems in industrial agricultural systems. The Wa people constitute a long-dwelling ethnic group mainly in southwestern Yunnan with a unique culture and rich knowledge of traditional vegetables. We hypothesized that traditional vegetable varieties are well conserved in Wa homegardens because Wa culture promotes the preservation of traditional vegetables. We surveyed vegetable varieties and the practices that are involved in the conservation of traditional vegetables in Wa homegardens, which could form the basis for in situ conservation. Methods The methods were used including questionnaires and semi-structured interviews. Sixty homegardens were surveyed through purposive sampling in 6 Wa villages. We documented ethnobotanical information about vegetables in homegardens. Plant species were identified according to the Flora of China. And thematic analyses were conducted for in-depth interviews to identify the conservation factors for traditional vegetables. Results Fifty-two vegetable species belonging to 16 families and 41 genera were recorded from 60 Wa homegardens. Fifty-five traditional vegetable varieties and thirty-six hybrids were recorded. Among all the villages, 23 ± 6 (average ± SD) traditional vegetable varieties per homegarden and 9 ± 3 (average ± SD) introduced varieties per homegarden were recorded. Local seeds were stored in 78% of households, with an additional 9% of households’ seed supplies coming from neighbors and relatives; the other 13% of households purchased local seeds from markets. In 83% of families, the female head was mainly responsible for the decision-making concerning traditional vegetables in homegardens; in 10% of families, the male head was responsible for decision-making, and a small percentage (2%) was determined by elderly people. Five percent of families made decisions jointly between male and female household heads. Conclusions This study demonstrated that rich traditional germplasm diversity is harbored in Wa homegardens because of the unique culture and traditional knowledge of Wa communities, which are practiced daily with homegrown food plants. Local vegetable seed conservation and sharing systems help maintain germplasm diversity in the Wa community homegardens. Wa homegardens constitute a practical solution for protecting traditional germplasm diversity and maintaining traditional lifestyles.

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“…China has a long history of traditional vegetable cultivation in homegardens, maintaining this vegetable cultivation [28,29]. Studies have shown homegardens can be a source of germplasm bank for the conservation of local varieties [30][31][32]. [35]In southwest China, homegardens are small-sized agroecosystems and provide an on-farm conservation strategy consistent with household socioeconomic characteristics [33][34][35][36].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

In-situ Conservation of Traditional Vegetable Diversity in Wa Homegardens in Southwestern Yunnan, China

Hua

Hill

Xue

et al. 2021

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Background: Homegardens are recognized as in-situ conservation sources of germplasm diversity to overcome homogenous germplasm problems in the industrial agriculture system; it is crucial to understand how smallholders manage their homegardens to maintain traditional genetic resources. Wa is a long-dwelling ethnic group living mainly in southwest Yunnan, China. Traditional vegetables in homegardens management are still central to farmers’ livelihoods in Wa villages. We surveyed traditional vegetables in Wa homegardens and analyzed the factors conserving traditional vegetables in the homegardens management. Methods: The methods used in this work included semi-structured interviews, questionnaires, and field surveys. A total of 60 households through purposive sampling in three townships, 6 villages were surveyed. We documented ethnobotanical information on local name, edible methods, edible parts of traditional vegetables maintained in Wa homegardens. Plant species cultivated in Wa homegardens were identified according to Flora of China.Results: Fifty-five traditional vegetable varieties and 36 hybrid vegetable varieties in the homegardens were recorded. Among all the villages, 23 ± 6 (average ± S.D.) traditional vegetable varieties per homegarden and 9 ± 3 (average ± S.D.) introduced vegetable varieties per homegarden were recorded. 78% of households choose to store the local seeds themselves, with a further 9% of households’ seed supplies coming from neighbors and relatives, other 13% of households choose to purchase local seeds in the markets. In 83% of families, the female head holds the main responsibility for decision making for traditional vegetables planted in homegardens; in 10% of families were male head household to take responsibility for decision-making, and a small percentage which is 2% is determined by the elderly. 5% of families will make decisions jointly between both male and female household heads.Conclusions: This study demonstrated that rich traditional germplasm diversity is harbored in the Wa homegardens because of Wa communities’ unique culture and traditional knowledge, which is practiced daily using homegrown food plants. Local vegetable seed saving and sharing systems can help maintain the germplasm diversity in the Wa community’s homegardens. Wa homegardens can be a practical solution to protect the traditional germplasm diversity and maintain a lifestyle with traditional culture.

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Homegarden agroecosystems managed by Salar people on Qinghai-Tibet Plateau

Cited by 9 publications

References 36 publications

Changes in homegardens in relocation villages, a case study in the Baiku Yao area in Southern China

Changes in homegardens in relocation villages, a case study in the Baiku Yao area in Southern China

In situ conservation of traditional vegetable diversity in Wa homegardens in southwestern Yunnan, China

In-situ Conservation of Traditional Vegetable Diversity in Wa Homegardens in Southwestern Yunnan, China

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