Invasion and managment of Pinus taeda in mountain top grasslands of Pico Paraná State Park, Paraná, Brazil

Abstract

Invasive alien species are introduced from other ecosystems and establish, producing viable descendency that spread for significant distances from the mother plants, potentially cause damage to the environment. The aim of the current study is to evaluate the first responses of the invasion process and the results of Pinus taeda control on three mountain areas in the Pico Paraná State Park, Southern Brazil. The control was conducted mechanically by felling adult trees and pulling out seedlings. The first responses were measured ten months after felling, measuring plant coverage and species richness. Results indicate that the population of invasive pines in these areas is around 36 years old, growing at a slower rate when compared to the average growth in other habitats, that the pine trees impact the native vegetation by producing lower coverage and finally, that after felling the pine trees the native vegetation showed lower richness. The control method had a cost of R$ 199,00 (about US$ 100) per hectare. Conclusions are that high mountain grasslands are susceptible habitats for biological invasion by pine trees and that recurrent work needs to be done for more consistent elucidations.