Abstract
The evaluation of the forest restoration scenario is of great importance, with floristic composition and diversity being among the most used ecological variables as indicators. This research aimed to identify the current situation, in terms of species composition and diversity, of two riparian forests under restoration based on a reference ecosystem, the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. Twenty permanent plots (250 m²) were located in areas under restoration process (AR1 and AR2) and in a forest fragment of the region which served as a reference ecosystem (ER). We sampled, identified and classified all tree individuals with CBH ≥ 15.0 cm in each plot. Aiming to understand species richness and diversity, besides the traditional indexes (Shannon and Simpson), we also estimated the effective numbers of Hill’s diversity (qD = 0, 1 and 2) considering rarefaction (P ≤ 0.05); and to detect floristic similarities among the study areas we performed a Principal Coordinate Analysis (PCoA). We found dissimilarity among ARs and ER, and the presence of exotic species, indicating that, as recommended, such reference should have been taken into account during the planning of the restoration action. Considering the effective numbers of species (qD) we found differences between the areas, species richness and diversity was higher in ER > AR2 > AR1. We also show that among the restoration areas, with the same age and submitted to the same conditions, AR2 has features that allow us to conclude that this area has a bigger chance of success in the restoration process. However, aiming environmental sustainability, we suggest that some corrective actions should be taken in order to favour the reestablishment of ecological processes in these areas.
Highlights
Tropical forests globally account for about two-thirds of the species, being irreplaceable for maintaining biodiversity, providing ecosystem services, and mitigating climate change (Gardner et al, 2010)
Considering that the evaluation the forest restoration actions is of great importance, the goal of this study was to identify the current situation, in terms of species composition and diversity, of two riparian forests under restoration based on a reference ecosystem, at the Brazilian Atlantic Forest
Considering the composition and diversity data evaluated from the indicators presented above, we showed that there is no similarity between the restoration areas and the landscape reference ecosystem, as suggested by SER (2004) and researchers working in this field
Summary
Tropical forests globally account for about two-thirds of the species, being irreplaceable for maintaining biodiversity, providing ecosystem services, and mitigating climate change (Gardner et al, 2010). Riparian forests are among the most threatened ecosystems and play an important role in maintaining the ecological balance of water bodies, since they act as filters, ecological corridors and protect the soil against erosive processes (Ávila et al, 2011; Martins, 2014). For Brazilian Atlantic Forest, mainly in the riparian areas, restoration by planting seedlings has increased in the last decades, due to legal laws requirements, providing a growing opportunity for the study of successional trajectories (Rodrigues et al, 2009; Castro et al, 2012). According to Suganuma and Durigan (2014), forest restoration by planting trees usually accelerates the succession process, trajectories towards reference ecosystems are rarely evaluated. It is important to carry out studies that evaluate the actions made and to identify whether such environments are becoming jas.ccsenet.org
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