Study on Site Preparation and Restoration Techniques for Forest Restoration in Mining Tailings of Mariana, Brazil

Authors

  • Sebastião Venâncio Martins Forest Restoration Laboratory, Department of Forest Engineering, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil
  • Pedro Manuel Villa Forest Restoration Laboratory, Department of Forest Engineering, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil
  • Fabio Haruki Nabeta Fundação Renova, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
  • Leonardo Ferreira da Silva Fundação Renova, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
  • Gabriel Correa Kruschewsky Fundação Renova, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
  • Andreia Aparecida Dias Fundação Renova, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.30564/re.v2i4.2610

Abstract

Ecological restoration in forest ecosystem is a priority in Mariana, Brazil. Thus, we evaluated the effects of passive and active restoration methods through different site preparation techniques by manipulating physical-chemical properties of substrates on tree community coverage in Mariana, Brazil. A total of 48 plots (12 × 12 m each) were established in two areas along the flood plains with accumulation of tailings. The following treatments were established: (1) planting of native tree seedlings with fertilization (PSf) and (2) without fertilization (PS); (3) direct seeding of native trees with fertilization (SDf) and (4) without fertilization (SD); (5) natural regeneration with fertilization (NRf) and (6) without fertilization (NR). Differences in substrate properties and tree community coverage were evaluated between treatments, the substrate properties and tree community coverage relationship, and main effects of substrate fertility and texture on tree community coverage. There were marked differences in substrate and plant coverage between treatments. On average, the highest plant coverage was found in treatment with fertilization, such as NRf (59,5%) and SDf (48%). However, the treatment with seedling planting (PSf and PS) and NR did not show differences (~37%), while the lowest values were observed in SD (23%). There is a strong relationship between substrate fertility and plant community coverage, with significant positive effects. We observed that the passive and active restoration methods can be complementary in the soil and plant community coverage recovery.

Keywords:

Seeding, Fundão dam, Natural regeneration, Seedlings, Resilient mitigation, Site effects

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How to Cite

Martins, S. V., Villa, P. M., Nabeta, F. H., da Silva, L. F., Kruschewsky, G. C., & Dias, A. A. (2021). Study on Site Preparation and Restoration Techniques for Forest Restoration in Mining Tailings of Mariana, Brazil. Research in Ecology, 2(4), 42–52. https://doi.org/10.30564/re.v2i4.2610

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