DIRECT SEEDING FOR RESTORATION IN TABULEIRO FORESTS: EVALUATION 16 YEARS AFTER IMPLEMENTATION

Resumo

This study was carried out at the Vale Natural Reserve in Linhares, Espírito Santo, Brazil, with the objective of testing the use of direct seeding as a forest restoration method in Tabuleiro Forest (also called Tableland Forest outside of Brazil) 16 years after its implantation. Three different treatments were evaluated in which 29 native species with different area preparations were used, namely: Total manual mowing + residue burning + herbicide (T1); Total manual mowing + residue burning (T2); and Total manual mowing (T3). Each treatment had an area of 100m² (10x10m) and an interval between plots of 2 m. The survival of the individuals implanted in the direct seeding was evaluated, as well as the natural regeneration of the new individuals with Diameter at Breast Height (DBH) = 15 cm. As a result, after 16 years we can see the presence of 16 species and 106 individuals, as well as a Shannon’s diversity index of (H’) = 1.917 and Pielou’s index (P) = 0.691, demonstrating a low floristic diversity in the area. The species which stood out the most (most individuals) were: Joannesia princeps Vell. L.C.; Spondias venulosa (Engl.) Engl.; and Peltophorum dubium (Spreng.) Taub. As a suggestion, it is recommended to use direct seeding in a complementary manner to other restoration techniques, and there should be monitoring of the area in order to assess the evolution of the process and the need for any interventions to assertively assist the entire process.