Assessment of the invasive potential of non-native species planted for riparian forest restoration

• Grant number: 09/11752-8
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Effective date (Start): March 01, 2010
• Effective date (End): January 31, 2012
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Forestry Resources and Forestry Engineering
• Principal researcher: Giselda Durigan
• Grantee: Geissianny Bessão de Assis
• Home Institution: Instituto Florestal. Secretaria do Meio Ambiente (São Paulo - Estado). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The restoration of ecosystems, particularly riparian forests, has been gaining space in the world and in Brazil, the most widely used model has been the planting of arboreal species in high diversity. Although the recommendation is to use only native species, non-native ones have been often planted, which offer the potential threat of biological invasion. The objective of this research is to analyze the potential of invasive non-native tree species which have been planted in the restoration of riparian forests in areas of seasonal forest, based on the structure of their populations in regeneration. At least 20 areas of riparian forests restoration, with minimum age of four years will be surveyed. At each site, a total area of 1,000 m2 will be surveyed, divided into ten plots of 5 x 20 m, distributed systematically in the area of restoration. All individuals of tree species from a minimum height of 50 cm will be identified and counted and grouped into size classes, according to the diameter at breast height - DBH. We will check whether the relative abundance of species regenerating is higher than found in the planted stand, which indicates high potential to regenerate and spread in the community, which means risk of invasion for non native species. The species will be classified as native to the region, native of seasonal forest in other regions, native from other biomes in Brazil or exotic, to verify if the potential of invasion varies among these groups. This research is part of a larger project, aiming at investigation of the successional trajectories and factors that influence the success or failure of riparian forest restoration.

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

SUGANUMA, M. S.; DE ASSIS, G. B.; DURIGAN, G. Changes in plant species composition and functional traits along the successional trajectory of a restored patch of Atlantic Forest. COMMUNITY ECOLOGY, v. 15, n. 1, p. 27-36, JUN 2014. Web of Science Citations: 13.

MARCIO SEIJI SUGANUMA; GEISSIANNY BESSÃO DE ASSIS; ANTÔNIO CARLOS GALVÃO DE MELO; GISELDA DURIGAN. Ecossistemas de referência para restauração de matas ciliares: existem padrões de biodiversidade, estrutura florestal e atributos funcionais?. Revista Árvore, v. 37, n. 5, p. 835-847, Out. 2013.