Prospects of the classic method of forest restoration by planting seedlings: a review

Abstract

This paper aims to present a literature review highlighting the perspectives of classical method of forest restoration through planting seedlings, addressing advantages, disadvantages, and ecological implications of the technique, compared to nucleation techniques. When ecosystems are altered, restoration can be accomplished using forest restoration methods. The first initiatives used standard random planting of trees, without defined spacing. After, restoration plantings have become mixed with native species, combining different species according to their characteristics or role in succession, and may be performed in islands of diversity or lines. The first consists of planting seedlings in small nuclei with high diversity and density of individuals of different ecological groups. total area in-line planting can be done by direct seeding or planting seedlings. In this case, combinations of species from different ecological groups planted in rows can be performed. However, the classical method of planting seedlings, although widely disseminated and playing an important role in biodiversity conservation, does not include system processes as a whole, compromising the ecosystem ecological sustainability. On the other hand, the use of nucleation techniques enables the occurrence of primary and secondary processes of ecological succession by adding diversity of species and different life forms to the system, complicating relations with small energy input contrived.