Aspectos ecológicos e econômicos do plantio de Pinus elliottii Engelm var. elliottii como facilitadora da restauração de mata ripária em região de Cerrado (Assis, SP, Brasil) / Exotic species in forest restoration: ecological and economical aspects of using Pinus elliottii Engelm var. elliottii as pioneer in Cerrado region, Assis, SP, Brazil

AUTOR(ES)
DATA DE PUBLICAÇÃO

2007

RESUMO

Among the obstacles to the native forests restoration in Brazil we find the high costs of planting high diversity of native trees. Searching for reduction of costs and vegetation recovery acceleration, the use of a fast growing exotic species (Pinus elliottii var. elliottii) as pioneer was tested in a riparian area in the cerrado domain, at Assis municipality, São Paulo State, Brazil. As observed in forest plantations with exotic species in the same region, we expected the natural regeneration of native species to occur under the planted exotic trees. In addition, the later exploitation of the exotic species could bring some profit to the land owner, surpassing the restoration costs, and thus stimulating forest restoration initiatives. Pinus was planted in three different spacings (treatments): 3 x 3 m, 3 x 2 m and 2 x 2 m, and a fourth treatment consisted of not planted plots (control). Every treatment had four replications in randomized blocks, the 16 plots (18 x 12 m each) settled along the stream, from 20 to 40 m far from the margin. The experimental area had been used as pasture for at least two decades, mostly covered by african grasses. Some native species then existing were preserved when the Pinus trees were planted, in 1995, without revolving the soil. Basal area, crown cover and survival of planted trees, as well as floristic composition, density and crown cover of native species regenerating in every plot (minimum height 50 cm) were assessed in 1996, 1998, 1999, 2001 and 2006. The aim was to verify if: 1) Pinus trees facilitating the regeneration of the native species, 2) Pinus trees obstructing the evolution of the native community or 3) the exotic species not affecting the native community. In 2006, density of the native woody species regenerating was 4923 ind/ha under Pinus and 3472 ind/ha in the control, from a total of 68 woody species (31 families) in the experimental area. Density of the regenerating community was positively correlated to density and basal area of Pinus. Thus, we concluded that Pinus eliminating grasses by shading (ground cover by grasses was inversely correlated to Pinus structure), indirectly favored the native woody species and are still not competing with them. The proportion of zoochorous species was negatively correlated to the Pinus density, showing that the exotic species does not attract animal seed dispersers. In the open areas (control), the zoochory was relatively more frequent. Density of some species (40%) increasing under Pinus and others (25%) decreasing or disappearing, which means secondary succession should go toward different directions if under Pinus plantation or in open areas. Analyzing the economical aspects of using Pinus as pioneer, we found that planting costs corresponded to a third part of those of planting mixed stands with native species. In addition, planting costs can be compensated by a single year of resin exploitation. However, current techniques of resin extraction or timber exploitation could cause considerable damages to the understory. Alternative exploitation techniques of the exotic species must be encouraged if restoration of the native community in the understory is expected.

ASSUNTO(S)

plantio de pinus community dynamics riparian forest restoration pinus plantation custos da restauração dinâmica da comunidade natural cerrado restoration costs recuperação de matas ciliares savanna

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