Artificial enrichment of species diversity in restoration areas: preliminary test of two techniques, soil and litter transference and direct seeding - DOI: 10.4025/actascibiolsci.v30i3.3629

Abstract

In fragmented landscapes, large distances from seed sources and strong soil degradation raises difficulties for colonization of new species in reforested areas and in early secondary forests. In this context, the artificial enrichment of reforestation areas with advanced successional level species is vital for the ecosystem sustainability. Methods like transference of soil and litter from mature forests and direct seeding may be alternatives. In this work, samples of surface soil and litter were distributed and nine non-pioneer native species were sowed in two reforestation areas and lab controls. From litter germinated 14 species in the control area: seven tree, three herb, two liana and two shrub species. Tree species were mostly from pioneer species, therefore of limited interest to enrichment purposes. However the non-arboreal species, important in the diversity of forest ecosystems, represented more than half of the individuals sampled. In the direct seeding experiment, Achatocarpus pubescens and Cordia ecalyculata displayed good results, despite the heterogeneity and Diospyros brasiliensis showed best germination rate (near 50%). The results suggests that further studies are needed on how the season of collection of soil and litter and the weather affects seed germination and seedling emergence.