Growth and performance of rupestrian grasslands native species in quartzitic degraded areas
The rupestrian grasslands stand out for their exceptional biodiversity and high proportion of endemic species. Ecological restoration studies on this ecosystem are urgently needed in view of its extremely low resilience and special vulnerability to soil degradation. We experimentally investigated th...
| Published in: | Neotropical Biology and Conservation |
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| Main Authors: | , , , |
| Format: | Article in Journal/Newspaper |
| Language: | Portuguese |
| Published: |
Neotropical Biology and Conservation
2015
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://revistas.unisinos.br/index.php/neotropical/article/view/nbc.2015.103.06 https://doi.org/10.4013/nbc.2015.103.06 |
| Summary: | The rupestrian grasslands stand out for their exceptional biodiversity and high proportion of endemic species. Ecological restoration studies on this ecosystem are urgently needed in view of its extremely low resilience and special vulnerability to soil degradation. We experimentally investigated the performance of survival, height growth, and reproductive phenology of eight rupestrian grassland native species, planted in quartzitic degraded areas. Planting took place in 2011 and the saplings were monitored for 12 to 18 months. All species presented high survival (90-100%) during the sampled time interval, with significant height growth, which suggested the successful establishment and adaptation to the harsh conditions found in these degraded areas. In addition, four shrubs completed the reproductive cycle, reaching seed dispersion at approximately two years age. The results indicate that planting saplings of native species should be considered an important tool for the restoration of quartzitic degraded areas in rupestrian grasslands.Keywords: Cerrado, ecological restoration, facilitation, quartzitic soils, sapling growth, Serra do Cipó. Os campos rupestres da Cadeia do Espinhaço destacam-se por sua grande biodiversidade e alta proporção de espécies endêmicas. Estudos sobre a restauração ecológica desse ecossistema são urgentemente necessários, tendo em vista sua resiliência extremamente baixa e especial vulnerabilidade frente à degradação do solo. Investigamos experimentalmente o desempenho de sobrevivência, crescimento em altura e fenologia reprodutiva de mudas de oito espécies nativas de campo rupestre plantadas em áreas degradadas quartzíticas. O plantio foi feito em 2011, e as mudas foram monitoradas por 12 a 18 meses. Todas as espécies apresentaram elevada sobrevivência (90-100%) durante o período considerado e crescimento significativo em altura, o que indicou o estabelecimento bem-sucedido e adaptação às condições rigorosas encontradas nessas áreas degradadas. Além disso, quatro espécies arbustivas ... |
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