Abstract
The Atlantic Forest biome is a biodiversity hotspot with only 13% of its native vegetation cover remaining in Brazil. Forest restoration is an important process for the re-establishment of biodiversity and the preservation of water resources in degraded areas, like riparian forests. Monitoring is an essential step of restoration, because the periodic evaluation of indicators allows researchers to analyze the effectiveness of applied techniques. This study aimed to evaluate the environmental quality of a seedling planting (active restoration) in a Permanent Preservation Area (PPA) of the Southeast Atlantic Forest biome, through a monitoring protocol, within a year. More specifically, we aimed to investigate the following questions: (1) do some ecological groups or families grow more than others? and (2) is the cover of exotic grasses negatively influencing forest regeneration? Data were collected during November 2017 and April (interval represents five months of wet season) and October 2018 (six months of dry season). Eight plots of 9 × 18 m were established and all individuals were identified and measured (diameter at ground level (DGL), height (H), and canopy diameter (CD)). Exotic grass cover and richness of regenerating species were also recorded. We registered 119 individuals during the three inventories, distributed in 35 species and 14 families. Results indicate an inverse association between exotic grasses and the presence of recruits in the area. Thus, exotic grass control may be needed while the forest canopy is not closed. A significant growth of individuals in the whole study period, especially during the wet season, was detected. Legumes grew more in trunk and canopy diameter (Anadenanthera colubrina (Vell.) Brenan and Inga vera Willd. subsp. affinis (DC.) T. D. Penn. had the biggest growth, respectively) than non-legumes during wetter months and within a year. Pioneers had greater height increase compared to non-pioneers only during wetter months. Legumes may be important species to be used in other young tropical forest restoration areas.
Highlights
Legumes may be important species to be used in other young tropical forest restoration areas
The Atlantic Forest biome is a biodiversity hotspot [1], and only 13% of its native vegetation cover remains in Brazil [2] due to intense deforestation and human disturbance that occurred mostly in the first half of the 19th century [3]
In a restored permanent preservation area of the Southeast Atlantic Forest biome, we found the following: (i) legumes had a higher growth in trunk and canopy diameter than non-legumes within a year, so the former may be important species to be used in other young tropical forest restoration areas and (ii) high exotic grass cover is preventing natural regeneration in the site, indicated by the richness of morphospecies
Summary
The Atlantic Forest biome is a biodiversity hotspot [1], and only 13% of its native vegetation cover remains in Brazil [2] due to intense deforestation and human disturbance that occurred mostly in the first half of the 19th century [3]. Nature reserves protect only 9% of the remaining forest [4]. Recent (last five decades) demographic and market shifts have resulted in rural land abandonment, which in turn has transitioned some portions of the biome back to forest [5]. The Atlantic Forest biome has become an important global conservation and restoration focus [6]. Intense efforts by non-governmental organizations to recover native Brazilian ecosystems are occurring [7] and, locally, many isolated restoration initiatives are taking place
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