Integrated Farming Systems at Different Scales 425The components on the homestead are also selected according to the necessity of
providing material for cottage industry and sideline handicraft production. For
example, in the subtropical provinces of southern China, bamboo is planted
around the family dwellings to provide material for weaving different bamboo
products. The implementation of biogas production is also an important aspect in
making up for the shortage of rural energy. It also strengthens the chain of nutrient
cycling within the system.
Major types of homestead garden
Due to the vast area of territory and great variety of physical, economic and social
conditions, different types of homestead gardens have been formulated. These can
be divided into five categories, based on the components, structure and the way of
management.
Cultivation–breeding
This is the most popular type of homestead garden in China. The animals include
chickens, ducks, fish, hares, oxen, horses, pigs, sheep, bees, birds, earthworms,
dogs, martens, scorpions and coypu. The relationship between different compo-
nents may be true predators, grazers, parasitoids and parasites. But most interac-
tions between them are through the influence of physical environmental factors.
Courtyard with dominance of woody species
With the aim of producing wood, fuel materials, fruit and attaining protection,
this type is relatively simple in composition and management. The tree plantation
is at the centre of the ecosystem. In fact, because of the usage of forest, there are
several different forms:
Figure 18.1 A typical homestead garden ecosystem