Enhancing on-farm species diversity through agroforestry practices: A study of Kitgum and Rakai districts of Uganda

John Baptist Semazzi; Simon Peter Musinguzi; Tom Lutalo; Patience Bibohere Rwamigisa; Priscilla Nyadoi

doi:10.5281/zenodo.20096127

Authors

John Baptist Semazzi Department of Agriculture Production, Faculty of Agriculture, Uganda Martyrs University, P.O. Box 5498, Kampala, Uganda
Simon Peter Musinguzi Department of Agriculture Production, Faculty of Agriculture, Uganda Martyrs University, P.O. Box 5498, Kampala, Uganda
Tom Lutalo Department of Data and Biostatistics, Directorate of Research, Uganda Virus Research Institute, P.O. Box 49, Entebbe, Uganda
Patience Bibohere Rwamigisa Department of Agricultural Extension and Skills Management, Directorate of Agricultural Extension Services, Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, P.O. Box 102, Entebbe, Uganda
Priscilla Nyadoi Directorate of Graduate Studies, Research, and Enterprise, Uganda Martyrs University, P.O. Box 5498, Kampala, Uganda

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.20096127

Keywords:

environmental benefits, socioecological factors, Pragmatism, Biodiversity

Abstract

Agroforestry Practices are key to enhancing biodiversity and ecosystem services. This study investigated the effect of agroforestry practices on on-farm species diversity in Kitgum and Rakai districts of Uganda. We examined the socioecological factors influencing adoption, environmental benefits, and impacts on species diversity. Findings highlight climate and environmental gains, including rain enhancement and soil fertility, linked to agroforestry adoption. Results show that agroforestry practices support on-farm species richness, with nuances by district and practice. Given the absence of significant ANOVA results, differences in species richness may be more closely related to contextual factors than to the different types of agroforestry practices. While both districts demonstrated baseline species richness, the implementation of alley cropping in Kitgum was associated with higher numerical biodiversity scores.

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