An Evaluation of Direct Seeding for Reforestation of Degraded Lands in Central São Paulo State, Brazil

An Evaluation of Direct Seeding for Reforestation of Degraded Lands in Central São Paulo State, Brazil

background

The Atlantic Forest of Brazil is simultaneously one of the planet’s most biodiverse as well as most threatened ecosystems. However, many of the efforts to restore the Atlantic Forest are out of reach for the smaller landowners due to high difficulty and/or costs. A research project was established in 1997 in the Environmental Protection Area at Botucatu in the São Paulo state of Brazil to evaluate different methods of forest restoration that can be easily be adopted by small or medium-sized landowners. These different management systems were evaluated for financial costs and benefits as well as productivity and ecological impact. This study focused on the direct seeding method. 

research goals & methods

This study examines the financial costs, seed germination rates, survival, and tree growth of directly seeded trees in the 2 years after establishment. Patterns of natural regeneration within the plots were also measured and compared to unplanted control plots.

conclusions & takeaways

The study found that Enterolobium contorstisiliquum and Schizolobium parahyba were the most successful of the five species planted, and concludes that with careful species selection, site preparation, and maintenance, direct seeding can be an effective method for reforestation on degraded sites. The study also found that natural regeneration was higher in direct-seeded plots than in unplanted plots.

Reference: 

Engel VLex, Parrotta JA. An evaluation of direct seeding for reforestation of degraded lands in central São Paulo state, Brazil. Forest Ecology and Management. 2001;152:169–181. doi:10.1016/s0378-1127(00)00600-9.

Affiliation: 

  • Natural Resources Department, Universidade Estadual Paulista, Botucatu, SP, Brazil
  • International Institute of Tropical Forestry, USDA Forest Service, Río Piedras, PR, USA