A baseline study of Kandyan Forest Gardens of Sri Lanka: Structure, composition and utilization (Ajith H. Perera1, R.M.Neville Rajapakse Dept. of Crop Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka Available online 25 June 2003)

Kandyan Forest Gardens (KFGs) are an ancient agroforestry system popular in the wet hills and lowlands of Sri Lanka. We studied 50 units of KFGs taken randomly from the Central Province of Sri Lanka, to extract basic quantitative information and typify this land use practice.

A typical KFG is at least one generation old, small (0.1–0.4 ha), and very rich in plant species (46 species per unit). It is also tree-based (23 species, 500–1500 trees per unit), and resemble undisturbed natural forest in physiognomy (four canopy layers, > 70% canopy cover, non-regular horizontal distribution). We identified 12 species which are the ‘base’ species assemblage in KFGs. Low-intensity management does not include ‘improved’ plant varieties, agro-chemicals or high inputs. But the cash income is high, even without including indirect sources (e.g., food, spices, medicine, construction and fuel wood) indicating self-sustenance in the long term. Many other aspects of composition and utilization are also quantified in detail.

We feel strongly that any ‘improvements’ to KFGs must be considered within the existing framework of physiognomy, use and management. This is because all benefits (ecological, economical and social) commonly linked to KFGs appear to depend on the unique nature of their physiognomy, utilization and management style.