Conservation practices in the home garden can be as varied as those used on farmland. The first step in home garden conservation is proper planning. Home gardens may contain rare or endangered species, as well as cultivars specifically chosen for desirable traits. Therefore, home gardens are excellent locations for in situ conservation of biodiversity and genetic material. But how do you begin? Read on to learn how to make the most of the space you have in your garden. Here are some tips:
In addition to providing an ideal habitat for animals and beneficial organisms, home gardens also contribute to soil and water quality conservation and reduce soil erosion. The high concentration of plant material also provides shelter and ideal habitat for a variety of wildlife, such as birds and butterflies. According to Calvet-Mir et al., home gardens provide many important ecosystem services, including a source of fresh food and air purification. Ultimately, they provide many benefits to people.
Different functional types of home gardens exist. This diversity can affect the conservation of specific groups of agro-biodiversity, as well as wild plant species. Understanding home gardens’ multifunctionality requires a comprehensive approach to home garden conservation, incorporating socio-economic, ecological, and social factors. This approach may help us refine our understanding of how home garden conservation benefits us and our environment. It is essential to understand how we live our lives and what makes a home garden different from others.
The role of women in home gardens has been emphasized in various studies. In Sri Lanka, women have an essential role in the management of home gardens, and common sense observation suggests that this role is often overlooked. Understanding the role of women in home garden conservation may help policy makers formulate better policy instruments. However, it is still unclear how to measure women’s involvement in home gardens and develop appropriate policy instruments. The present study is a preliminary step toward this.
The UK’s conservation organisations recognise the importance of certain species and habitats, such as arable margins and woodlands. Currently, 65 Priority Habitats are recognized for conservation. A garden may be relevant for one or more of these habitats, such as Ponds, Arable Margins, Hedgerows, Traditional Orchards, Open Mosaic Habitats on Previously Developed Land. For some gardeners, this list may serve as a useful guide for plantings and other practices in the home garden.
In the past, home gardens have been considered a low-priority activity by decision makers. The first national forest policy in British India didn’t mention home gardens at all. Later, Pakistan’s national forest policy focused on other land-use issues and ignored home gardens altogether. Currently, the latest national forest policy in Bangladesh emphasizes the importance of home gardens, pledges to provide technical assistance, and encourage the development of labor-intensive cottage industries in rural areas.
Creating a home garden is not only a practical solution to the problems of forest degradation, rural energy crisis, and other environmental issues. Moreover, it offers an economic and social benefit to the rural poor. Home gardens help improve livelihoods and food security of households, and protect indigenous knowledge. If home gardens are preserved, they could also contribute to rural development and empower women. So, there are many reasons why home garden conservation should be part of general policy.
