Métodos para regeneração de áreas alteradas na fazenda experimental da Universidade Federal do Amazonas – Amazônia Central

Abstract

On the importance of the Amazon Biome and its role in the maintenance of terrestrial biodiversity and ecological balance of the planet, the control of deforestation has been a constant challenge in the management of environmental conservation. Thus, the revegetation of degraded areas through initiatives of reforestation with native tree species or by conduct of natural regeneration are potential strategies for the reintroduction of these areas to ecological and productive processes. This study had as main objective to investigate the effectiveness of two methods of regeneration for the recovery of altered areas in the Fazenda Experimental of the Universidade Federal do Amazonas (FAEXP-UFAM). The study area had its forest cover removed and after abandoning two experiments were implemented, namely: 1) conduct of natural regeneration and 2) planting of eleven native forest species belonging to different ecological groups, pioneers (six) and no pioneers (five). In experiment 1 were sampled in 9 x 15 m plots all trees individuals with height above 10 cm. The experiment 2 was installed in randomized blocks design, being five blocks with 50 saplings each. Monitoring the survival and height growth, diameter and crown area was held for 10 months. In the analysis of natural regeneration (experiment 1) showed a total of 148 individuals distributed into eight botanical families, nine genera and 13 species, being the species Vismia gracilis, Vismia cayennensis and Vismia guianensis, the species had the highest importance value. Individuals have focused predominantly on the class of intermediate size (0.3 < 1.5 m tall) of natural regeneration. Ten months after planting in the field (experiment 2), high (≥ 80%) survival of the species in both the ecological groups, with the exception of pioneer species Sclerolobium paniculatum (40%) and species not pioneer Cedrela odorata (67%). Among the pioneering species, the largest growths were observed for Ochroma pyramidale and Trattinickia rhoifolia. For the ecology group of not pioneer species, the best growth performances were achieved by Parkia velutina, Hymenaea courbaril, Cedrela odorata and Endlicheria anomala. The study area is in early stages of succession, and enrichment planting of species of better survival and growth could be most effective strategy for forest recovery to a lesser period of time.