This paper reports a study of paddy vegetation in central Laos. Plants were inventoried and vegetation types classified. Relationships between vegetation and agricultural practices were identified. A total of 184 wild herbaceous species and 17 cultivated species were recorded in two villages. Of the wild species, 19 were used by local people, four were rare species, and three were major weeds. Paddy vegetation was arranged in order of water regime from shorter to longer hydroperiod by DCA. The factors contributing to high species diversity were: (1) the presence of species unique to different paddy types; (2) the presence of remnant species from original vegetation; and (3) the impact of agricultural practices. Thus, at this study site, multiple plant species coexisted in paddy fields under various agricultural practices, and some species were essential sources of food or were used in other ways to support the subsistence livelihoods of local residents.
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1 April 2006
Plant Diversity in Paddy Fields in Relation to Agricultural Practices in Savannakhet Province, Laos
Yasuyuki Kosaka,
Shinya Takeda,
Saysana Sithirajvongsa,
Khamleck Xaydala
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Economic Botany
Vol. 60 • No. 1
April 2006
Vol. 60 • No. 1
April 2006
agriculture
beneficial species
harmful species
human-managed ecosystem
Laos
rare species
rice cultivation