ECOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF HOMEGARDEN AGROFORESTRY SYSTEM IN AMPHOE MUANG, CHANGWAT NONTHABURI

Abstract

The study on "Ecological Characteristics of Homcgarden Agroforestry System" was carried out at Amphoe Muang. Changwat Nonthaburi from Dccember 1992 to November 1993. The study was classified into three aspects, namely, structural characteristic of the plant comm munity, litterfall production and decomposition ratc of litter. In addition, soil samples were also collected to analyse it fertility. The results showed that the arca of homcgarden was abour 4.31 rai (0.69 ha). The plant community consisted mainly of fruit trees with the density of 6,877 trees/hectarc, totally 58 specics The trees werc ranging from 10.51-15.5 cm., in DBH and 7.00-13.50 m. in height. The continuous canopy was divided into four layers. In terms of ccological aspect, Durio zibethinus and Erythrin Subumbrans were dominant with I.V.I about 56% and 539 respectively, followed by Areca catechu Cocos nudiflora. Eugenia malacce ensts and so on. 'The Shannon-Wiener index was 4.0 as nearly some mixed deciduous and dry cvergreen forests. The anmual litterfall production was about 5 68 ton/hectard/year which could be converted to amount of Ca. N, K. Mg, and P return to the soils about 106. 883, 81 923 75 083, 26.324 and 8.042 kg/hectare/year. The decomposition ratc of litter was about 2.036 ton/hectare/year.