Abstract:
Comparison of Environmental Change on Urban and Rural Homegarden as an Agroforestry. This study cover the urban homegarden (Nonthaburi) and rural homegarden (Khon Kaen, Chiang Rai, Nakhon Si Thammarat and Rayong). It was emphasized details as: 1) The secondary collection data from government sections where the sample plots were placed 2) Structural characteristic of th eplant community analyzed quantitatively, i.e. size area, number of trees, number pf species, height, DBH, crown cover, layer of trees, type of homegarden, I.V.I, diversity of the plant community, horizontal and vertical distribution of tree stand by comparison betwwen urban and rural homegarden 3) Classification the species of tree follow utilization and comparison among homegardens and 4) Data of the sample plots. farmers, vision of farmers about the purpose useful of the sample plots in homegarden area and the problem which farmers need helping. Furthermore, comparison between homegarden with forestry homegarden in Thailand and homegarden in other countries. The results showed that the existing environemnt of homegarden in Thailand as an Agroforestry has always changed which was depend on economy and society. The homegarden area was similar forest and become the green area that was invaded by city. In the past, the homegarden has practiced by members to members in families. Now, there was the changed practice were done by old famers only. The results shown that the average of homegarden area in Thailand was about 2.64 rai (0.42 hectare). The plant community consisted mainly of fruit and trees with the density of 1,275 trees.hectare, totally 38 species. The trees were ranging from 14.50-16.50 cm., in DBH an d7.00-12.00 m. in height. The continuous canopy was divided 3-4 layers in terms of ecological Cocos nucifera, Areca catechu were dominate with I.V.I, followed by Mangifera indica, Dimocarpus longan, Ergthrina subumbrans and Toxicodendron succedanea and so on. The Shannon-Weaver index was 3.044-4.255 as high as some Moist evergreen of tropical rain forest, Dry evergreen forest, Homegarden, Mixed deciduous forest and Deciduous Dipterocarp forest respectively. The Cocos nucifera has the most useful by using parts of wood, fruit, leaf and so on. The homegarden had been practiced and oversaw in many years. Maintaining by using organic and in-organic, fertilizer, herbicide, groun cover growth, plant rotate growth, mutipurpose and mutilayer tree. The homegarden practice meet problems as waste water, flood, water arid, weeds, labour shortage, yield certification and finance supporting, extension of knowledge and technology. These mentioned problems, the farmers need helping a lot.