Climate variability and homestead production resources in central terrace ecosystem of bangladesh

Abstract

Abstract : A study was conducted to examine the impact of climate variability on homestead production system in the central terrace ecosystem of Bangladesh. The study was conducted through household survey by interviewing 90 farm households.Analyses of climatic parameters indicate that rainfall during monsoon has increased by 8.6 %, while it decreased by 19.4 % in dry season in last 10 years. Both maximum and minimum temperatures showed increasing trend. Changing in climatic parameters, adversely affected the homestead production systems in central terrace ecosystem. A total of 42 tree species and 29 vegetable species were identified in the studied homesteads, among them Tamarindus indica, Punica granatum, Annona squamosa, Bombax ceibawere reported to be endangered tree species in different degrees. During the last ten years, planting of Citrus reticulata has been increased due to its acid tolerant capability and high income, whi 1 eTamarindus indica, Aegle marmelos, Annona squamosa, Phoenix sylvestris, Manilkara achras were decreased. Among the forest species, Swietenia macrophylla and Acacia auriculiformis were found increased; while Gmelina arborea, Lagerstroemia speciosa, Albizia sp were decreased compared to past decade. The production of livestock feed and fodder declined drastically, which eventually reduced livestock population.