Restoration on the trees: study of the process of reintroduction of epiphytes in the Atlantic Florest

• Grant number: 12/50775-6
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: June 01, 2013
• End date: May 31, 2015
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Botany - Pant Physiology
• Agreement: CNPq - First Projects Program
• Principal Investigator: Flávio Bertin Gandara
• Grantee: Flávio Bertin Gandara
• Host Institution: Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz (ESALQ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Piracicaba , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Research on restoration of degraded areas in Brazil, especially riparian forests, has shown significant advances in the last 20 years. The methodologies used, practically awarded only tree species, assuming that once the canopy is formed, other plant life forms (epiphytes, lianas, shrubs and herbaceous) would arrive by natural dispersal. One approach that is getting evidence is the enrichment of areas in process of restoration with other plant life forms, as epiphytes. The epiphytes, plants that grow ali their lives on other plants, have great ecological importance due to their role in providing resources for pollinators and dispersers, cycling of nutrients and building microenvironments. However, little knowledge is available about strategies and ways of introducing this synusiae. The objective of this project is to evaluate the introduction of eight species of epiphytic plants form the Bromeliaceae, Orchidaceae and Cactaceae families, through seedlings and seeds over six different phorophytes in replanted forests aged between 6 and 22 years. Seeds collected in forest fragments were used for seedling production and will also be used to introduce direct in the field by seed-papers. The selected phorophytes have different canopies (evergreen and deciduous) and trunk (smooth and rough bark). Assessments will be made for growth and survival every 3 months up to 18 months. The data will suggest the best ways and strategies for the introduction of epiphytes in areas in process of restoration, and indicate the most appropriate practices in the restoration of this synusiae. (AU)