An Ecosystem Services Approach to Sustainable Livelihoods in the Homegardens of Kandy, Sri Lanka

Homegardens in Kandy, Sri Lanka, offer significant socio-ecological benefits that extend beyond economic gains, including resilience to shocks, food security, and biodiversity conservation. A study analyzing 31 households over a decade found that livelihood strategies centered around these agroforestry systems provide broader advantages at household, national, and global scales compared to commercial simplification or abandonment of cultivation. These gardens also serve cultural and aesthetic preferences, despite challenges like wild animal incursions and regulatory pressures. The research highlights overlooked feedbacks between ecosystem drivers and interventions, emphasizing the need for an ecosystem services approach to avoid unintended consequences and leverage stakeholder synergies.

Landreth, N., & Saito, O. (2014). An Ecosystem Services Approach to Sustainable Livelihoods in the Homegardens of Kandy, Sri Lanka. Australian Geographer, 45(3), 355–373. https://doi.org/10.1080/00049182.2014.930003