Forest restoration of bauxite mined sites: is it necessary to plant exotic grasses for initial soil recovery?

• Grant number: 12/22840-8
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Effective date (Start): December 01, 2012
• Effective date (End): July 31, 2014
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Ecology
• Cooperation agreement: Vale-FAPEMIG-FAPESPA
• Principal Investigator: Pedro Henrique Santin Brancalion
• Grantee: Vanessa de Souza Moreno
• Home Institution: Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz (ESALQ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Piracicaba , SP, Brazil
• Company: Secretaria de Desenvolvimento Econômico (São Paulo - Estado). Instituto de Pesquisas Tecnológicas S/A (IPT)
• Associated research grant: 10/51233-7 - Recovery of degraded areas by mining combining soil bioengineering techniques with the generation and maintenance of ecosystem services, AP.PITE

Abstract

The mining process extremely modifies ecosystems and rehabilitation of these areas is required by law. Most common methods of recovery include the revegetation and rehabilitation, but ecological restoration can be a promising strategy in these cases. Traditionally, this approach seeks to return degraded areas to a historic state, but these areas can form hybrids ecosystems or novel ecosystems. Evaluate the successional trajectory of these areas can indicate what type of ecosystem is expected to be formed and whether ecological restoration can be achieved. In this context, we will evaluate the successional trajectory of bauxite mined sites in the region of Poços de Caldas (MG) through a chronosequence of restoration projects. We will set four sample plots in each area, in which the composition (regional native species richness, richness of non-regional species, exotic species richness, zoochoric species richness and pioneers; diversity index and equability) and structure (canopy cover, total density of individuals, individuals density with height e 0.5 H <1 m, density of individuals with height > 1 m, total height restoration, number of strata, basal area and grass cover) of the vegetation will be evaluated. The establishment of the successional trajectory will be performed by linear regression and the interaction between the evaluated indicators will be measured with correlation analysis. The findings of this project may be helpful to reorienting the goals of recovery, improving the cost-effectiveness of the projects. (AU)

Academic Publications

(References retrieved automatically from State of São Paulo Research Institutions)

MORENO, Vanessa de Souza. Forest restoration of mined bauxite areas: it is necessary the use of exotic grasses for initial soil cover?. 2015. Master's Dissertation - Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz Piracicaba.