Can Intensive Management Accelerate the Restoration of Brazil’s Atlantic Forests?

background

This study takes place in the heavily degraded Atlantic Forest region of eastern Brazil, where only 7% of the original forest cover remains. The study tests the question of whether intensive management methods similar to those used to establish fast-growing Eucalyptus plantations could also be applied to restoration of rainforest on former pasture-land dominated by grasses. 

research goals & methods

The experiment compares different levels of management intensity (fertilization, weed control, etc) and planting density of native species, measuring the survival and success of seedlings. The study uses the metrics of seedling survival, stemwood production, Leaf Area Index (LAI), and stemwood production per unit of light.

conclusions & takeaways

The study finds that intensive management methods, such as fertilization and weed control, do result in an increase in all seedling success metrics as well as a nearly closed forest canopy within 4 years. This study demonstrates that these methods are feasible for restoration of rainforest to abandoned agricultural land.