Forest restoration by different nucleation techniques in Urochloa grassland

Antonio Aparecido Carpanezzi,Katia Christina Zuffellato-Ribas,Rosimeri De Oliveira Fragoso,Henrique Soares Koehler

doi:10.1590/s1678-3921.pab2021.v56.02119

Antonio Aparecido Carpanezzi, Katia Christina Zuffellato-Ribas + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1590/s1678-3921.pab2021.v56.02119

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Abstract

Abstract: The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of brushwood, black plastic mulch, herbicide, and artificial perch on the natural regeneration of native species in Urochloa grassland. The experiment was conducted between February 2014 and February 2016 in the Dense Ombrophilous Forest, in the municipality of Morretes, in the state of Paraná, Brazil. The treatments were: herbicide, herbicide + perch, black plastic mulch, black plastic mulch + perch, brushwood + herbicide, brushwood + herbicide + perch, and a control treatment. The evaluations were carried out at 4, 8, 12, 18, and 24 months after the installation of the experiment, by counting and identifying regenerating woody species and estimating visually the percentage of herbaceous coverage. Initially, brushwood and black plastic mulch reduced the Urochloa grasses; however, this effect was lost over time due to the rapid growth of the grasses from the edges to the center of the plots. The use of perches in the treatments does not allow a significant increase of other species because of the continued inhibiting conditions for the establishment of seedlings. The herbicide is effective in removing the grasses; however, the recruitment of woody species is only satisfactory when perches are used to attract the dispersing fauna. For a successful ecological restoration of pastures, there is a need for the local elimination of Urochloa grasses.

Highlights

The conversion of forests to pasture for livestock is common in tropical landscapes, leading to unconnected habitats and serious damage to biodiversity (Sobanski & Marques, 2014)
Forest restoration by different nucleation techniques in Urochloa grassland Abstract – The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of brushwood, black plastic mulch, herbicide, and artificial perch on the natural regeneration of native species in Urochloa grassland
The objective of this work was to evaluate the effectiveness of brushwood, black plastic mulch, herbicide, and artificial perch on the natural regeneration of native species in Urochloa grassland

Summary

Introduction

The conversion of forests to pasture for livestock is common in tropical landscapes, leading to unconnected habitats and serious damage to biodiversity (Sobanski & Marques, 2014). The lack of planning in the occupation of lands destined for agricultural activities, associated with inadequate management practices, causes accelerated soil degradation, resulting in unproductive areas that end up being used as pasture (Elgar et al, 2014; Guidetti et al, 2016). Forest restoration programs are executed by planting mixed stands of tree species and physically protecting the area (Chazdon & Uriarte, 2016) In this phase, cultivation treatments, such as weeding, brushing, and herbicide application, are necessary, but rarely performed (Weidlich et al, 2020). In grazing areas that are solely protected and receive no cultivation treatments, natural regeneration (secondary succession) is slow or nonexistent (Bechara et al, 2016)

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