Mecanismos de regeneração natural em floresta estacional decidual, Santa Maria, RS

Abstract

This study evaluated the mechanisms of natural regeneration represented by seeds rain, seeds bank of the soil and the regeneration vegetation, considering the seedlings bank and the established regeneration, in a fragment of Estacional Decidual Forest. The evaluation was made with 70 randomized samplings in 14 parcels inside four bands, with systematic distribution in the area. The seeds rain was studied using 70 collectors with 1 m x 1 m, the collected material was analyzed monthly, during a year. In the seeds bank was collect 70 samplings using an iron collector (25 x 25 cm) on the soil surface and adjusting the studied samplings to 5 cm of deep. The collected material was taken to the Laboratory of Silvicultura of the Departament of Ciências Florestais of the Federal University of Santa Maria, where it was evaluated during seven months. The seeds bank was evaluated in 70 sampling units of 2 x 2 m where was identified and measured all plants with h ≥ 30 cm and DBH < 1 cm, the natural regeneration in the area was evaluated in 70 sampling units of 5 x 5 m, in which were identified and measured all plants with 1cm ≤ DBH ≤ 5 cm. The regeneration mechanisms were analyzed in groups formed in the adult vegetation. In the seeds rain it was observed the presence of 73 species, mainly trees. The seeds bank of the soil show predominance of herbaceous species, and some trees and bush-like species, pioneer species and secondary species. In the seedlings bank, was observed the presence of light demanding tree species and eciofiles species, while in the established natural regeneration the predominance was of shadow species. The seed bank of the soil and the established natural regeneration show different comportment for the group 1 and 2 in the adult vegetation, while the seeds rain and seedlings bank show uniformity in the forest. The species with the bigger probability to perpetuate in the studied forest reminiscent and in the near areas were Gymnanthes concolor, Soroceae bonplandii, Eugenia rostrifolia, Trichilia claussenii, Trichilia elegans, Myrocarpus frondosus, Cupania vernalis, Nectandra megapotamica and Dasyphylum spinescens, these species can be used to enrichment and recuperation of the forest. The most restricted species were Cordia tricotoma, Luehea divaricata, Sebastiania commersoniana and Syagrus rommanzoffiana, these species may grow in the forest if used the right treatments to their perpetuation. The indicative species in the adult vegetation groups have the seeds rain and the seedlings bank as the main mechanisms for their conservation in the forest reminiscent.