EVALUATION OF THE RESTORATION PROCESS OF A DEGRADED PERMANENT PRESERVATION AREA IN THE SOUTH OF MINAS GERAIS, BRAZIL

Abstract

Studies on the ecological restoration of Permanent Presevation Areas (PPAs) around water sources are being done with regularity during the last years due to importance society is giving to these ecosystems. Riparian zones, protected by the Forest Code, are systems with complex interactivities with great human pressure and anthropic activities. Current paper evaluates the capacity of restoration of riparian vegetation around a degraded water spring in the sub-basin of the river Capivari in the municipality of Larvas MG Brazil. Ten plots measuring 10m2 within a transection of 100 m, starting from the source and following the PPA´s humidity gradient were focused for phytosociological analysis. Foregrounded on the regenerating layer, high numbers of Eremanthus incanus and Vernonanthura phosphorica, species of the family Asteraceae, were reported. Most were pioneer, zoochore and young species which characterized the area as within the initial succession phase even after 9 years of the planting of seedlings for enrichment. The above may have occurred due to the high biomass of grass in the area under analysis which established an advantageous competition on native species. Although slightly relevant, part of the propagules in the PPA derived from seed bank of the planted seedlings. Results showed the conservation state of PPA and the need for human intervention for the control of invading exotic species coupled to environmental improvement.