Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Table 11.3 Species diversity identified by plant type
Plant type
Total number of
different species
identified within
plant types
Number species identified within plant type
(% of total species identified)
Men
Women
Fruit trees
31
16
(40)
27
(22)
Non-fruit trees
13
7
(18)
10
(8)
Vegetable plants
9
0
(0)
9
(7)
Medicinal/spice
11
6
(15)
11
(9)
Ornamental plants
66
11
(28)
66
(54)
Total number of species
identified
130
40
(31)
123
(95)
trees and only 8 per cent non-fruit trees. Overall, women identified 123 out of
the 130 species identified, being 95 per cent of the total species diversity of the
patios.
While there was a gender difference in the plants and trees identified, the
ecological composition of the patios was similar. The majority of the patios
were dominated by a canopy of large fruit trees, interspersed with the
occasional non-fruit tree, with an understory covered with ornamental plants.
The gender difference, therefore, was not in the composition of patios but in
the identification of plants and trees. What the participants identified
illustrates gendered differences in human-environment relations.
The results suggest that women consider ornamental plants and fruit trees
to be the most important plants in the patios, both in number and species
diversity. Their benefits for the household were numerous, despite the fact
that neither provide any significant income. Women commented that having
plants creates an aesthetically pleasing space, and a more homely and
comfortable environment. Both women and men explained that plants and
trees are also important in the creation of private spaces, as most of the
everyday activities (e.g. cooking, bathing) in San Augusto take place outside
on patios. In addition, they provide a way to conceal the haphazard
construction of the houses. 9 Therefore, ornamental plants offer a quick way to
produce liveable home spaces, as they are easy to grow and propagate rapidly.
Moreover, ornamentals are, in most cases, the only plants that flourish under
the shaded canopy of fruit trees that dominates patios because food crops are
di cult to grow under such conditions. For this reason, very few vegetables
were present in patios.
Fruit trees were another important species in patios for both women and
men, and were planted for cultural, environmental and livelihood reasons.
Search WWH ::




Custom Search