Changing pattern of plant species utilization in relation to altitude and their relative prevalence in homegardens of Kumaun Himalaya, India

The aim of the present study was to analyse the species utilization pattern and their relative prevalence in homegardens varying in size and altitude. Four sites were selected along an altitudinal gradient viz., very low (up to 350 m), low (350-700 m), mid (700-1500 m) and high altitudes (above 2000 m) in Kumaun Himalaya, India. At each altitude, homegardens were categorized into three size classes viz., large (above 0.007 ha), medium (0.004-0.006 ha) and small homegardens (up to 0.003 ha). Maximum species richness was recorded in large sized homegarden at all altitudes except mid altitude where maximum species was observed in medium sized homegardens. Across altitudes, maximum plant species (39) was recorded at mid altitude whereas minimum species (24) were present in high altitude homegardens. Amaryllidaceae was the most important family followed by Oxalidaceae across all the altitudes. In case of plant utilization pattern, maximum species were utilized as a medicine (44.23 %) followed by vegetables (26.66 %), fodder (18.1 %), miscellaneous (15.97 %), spices (13.97 %) and fruits (12.34 %). Among the species, A. cepa (1380) and C. annuum (1026) showed most prevalence whereas S. cumini (278) was the least prevalent species. Across the altitudinal gradient, mid altitude showed most (2341, 1330) relative prevalence whereas high altitude showed least (876, 0) relative prevalence for A. cepa and M. indica, respectively. Management practices and conventional activity could show a higher effect on species composition and their utilization pattern to improve food security and conserving plant genetic diversity in altitudes.