Home garden management practices and plant species diversity in Shager City, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia: Implications for biodiversity conservation

Home gardens are long-established traditional farming systems that fulfill diverse community needs while supporting social well-being and ecological sustainability. This study aimed to assess the level of engagement, management practices and plant species diversity in home gardens of Shager City. About 180 households were sampled systematically from six sub-cities. Survey data were collected through garden tours and interviews with households and analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Plant species diversity was analysed using Shannon-Weiner and Simpson diversity indices. The scientific names of plant species were confirmed at the National Herbarium of Addis Ababa University. About 85 % of households surveyed in Shager City practise home gardening, showing the community's strong attachment to the practice. Majorly, home gardens are positioned in the front yard due to housing design. Ground-based planting space being practised in the city is incompatible with running land scarcity. The management of home gardens is primarily carried out by female household members. The survey recorded approximately 215 species, predominantly in the ornamental use category and with a herbaceous growth form. The home gardens exhibited high species diversity, implicating their potential in maintaining urban sustainability. Ensete ventricosum was the most frequent species due to its potential for multiple uses and adaptability to varying environments. Plant species richness in the studied home gardens is associated (p < 0.005) with most socioeconomic characteristics of households. The limited economic and nutritional benefits of home gardens require targeted policy and community interventions.