Where do seedlings for Restinga restoration come from and where should they come from?

Abstract

In a study specifically designed to quantify the production of seedlings grown from seeds collected in Restinga, we found only six from 122 surveyed nurseries in São Paulo state producing local seedlings. Total number of commercially produced seedlings was relatively low. Thus, we compared it with the number of legally committed seedlings to restoration projects in seaside towns in São Paulo state. We found local seedling production representing only one third (32%) of legally committed seedlings. Given this discrepancy between production and demand, we presumed that most of seedlings used in restoration projects in seaside towns has come from other regions. In view of this, we discuss some aspects of the debate about introduction of exogenous seedlings in restoration projects, highlighting the recent literature recommendations for singular ecosystems, such as coastal plain vegetation. We highlighted some potential negative effects on the long-term ecological restoration success and presented some alternative policy actions in order to encourage local seedling production and to register seedling provenance.