Abstract
Invasive forage grasses, especially the Urochloa genus, impact reforestation worldwide. The aim of this study was to evaluate management influence on phytosociology of the herbaceous layer, defined as the layer of herbs, sub-shrubs, shrubs and vines, in two agroforestry systems (AFS) (Simple and Biodiverse) in succession to a reforestation of guanandi (Calophyllum brasiliense), compared to monoculture of this specie taken as control. The experiment was conducted in Pindamonhanga (SP), Brazil, from 2011 to 2014, in a randomized block design with eight replications and 144.0 m² plots. In Simple SAF area, food crops were grown alongside C. brasiliense rows: sweet cassava (Manihot esculenta) in rotation with arrowroot (Maranta arundinacea), pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan), banana shrub (Musa sp.), and juçara palm (Euterpe edulis). In Biodiverse AFS, fourteen native tree species were also planted alongside the food crops. Altogether 41 non-stratified species, 38 genera and 24 botanical families were identified; the most abundant families were: Asteraceae, Poaceae e Cyperaceae. The similarity between the areas diverged after three years of management, with the predominance of Commelina benghalensis and M. arundinacea in the AFS areas and Urochloa decumbens in the monocultive, mainly, due to the shadow gradient established for the three systems.
Highlights
Inadequate agricultural systems can contribute to soil degradation, resulting in productivity loss and other environmental problems
The greatest richness of species of herbaceous plants was found in Simple agroforestry systems (AFS) (35 species) followed by Biodiverse AFS (34 species), which were greater than monoculture (25 species); in general, eudicotyledons class prevailed
Grasses are C4 plants adapted to full sun that occupy open areas, which can reduce the diversity of herbaceous (RIBEIRO et al, 2005) and woody species from natural regeneration and they can increase the vulnerability of those areas to fire (CABIN et al, 2002; CORTINES; VALCARCEL, 2009; MOORE et al, 2011; FLORY et al, 2015; MANTOANI; TOREZAN, 2016)
Summary
Inadequate agricultural systems can contribute to soil degradation, resulting in productivity loss and other environmental problems. The impacts on the landscape resulted in 82.0% of this remaining natural forest coverage dispersed in small fragmented remnants with 20 hectares or less until 2005 (KRONKA et al, 2005), which is considered too small for biodiversity protection and highly vulnerable to invasive grasses. In Brazil, approximately 200 genera and more than 1,350 species of Poaceae have been described (LONDE; SILVA, 2014). Infestation of non-native forage grasses, mainly of the genus Urochloa is one of the most important biological barriers for the restoration in tropical forests areas (GARCÍA-ORTH; MARTÍNEZ-RAMOS, 2011; MANTOANI; TOREZAN, 2016). D. Webster is an exotic grass that has adapted to the tropical environment throughout Latin America as it is quite tolerant to high levels of aluminum prevalent in acidic soils (SEIFFERT, 1980). Forage grasses can increase fire intensity and native species suppression (CABIN et al, 2002, FLORY et al, 2015)
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