In the Midwest region of Brazil, forest fragments from the Atlantic Forest biome are disconnected from the landscape and with low resilience. Searching for potential restoration techniques, this study aimed to evaluate the interactions of artificial perches with some nucleation techniques, in order to confirm the hypothesis that the combination of these techniques increases the diversity of seeds and regenerants in the area. The experimental design was randomized in blocks, with five treatments and three replications. The restoration treatments included (1) control perches only; (2) perches with propagule collectors; (3) perches with brushwood transposition; (4) perches with food supply; and (5) perches with brushwood transposition and food supply. The experiment was conducted in a degraded area, which was previously colonized by pasture, in the surroundings of a forest remnant (reference ecosystem). After 365 days, the regenerants were identified (number of species and individuals). In the diversity of regenerants there was a significant increase with the interaction of more than one nucleation technique, highlighting the efficiency of the combination of artificial perches with collectors (T2) and brushwood transposition with food supply (T5). Based on the results it can be stated that the use of artificial perches combined with other nucleation techniques favors the recruitment of seedlings of zoochoric species and increases the seed bank through bird foraging. We believe that this technique is economically viable and has the potential for being used in restoration projects.
Deforestation of primary vegetation and degradation of pastures in Brazil has presented alarming numbers in recent years, which demonstrates the emerging need for environmental recovery strategies such as agroforestry systems (SAFs). Thus, the objective was to adopt a low cost technique such as direct sowing to compose spatial arrangements in SAFs in consortium with different agricultural crops and fertilizers, as well as to evaluate the cost-effectiveness. In the experiment, 23 native species from adjacent fragments were used. The treatments were formed by combining 2 sowing densities (5 and 10), 2 fertilizers (bovine manure and poultry litter), and 2 agricultural crops (watermelon and pumpkin). The seeds were arranged in a planting furrow measuring 2m in length, 10 cm in width and 5 cm in depth, spaced 2m apart and 2m between plots. Each treatment consisted of three repeat, and each repeat with 2 planting furrows. The use of direct seeding is a promising technique to increase species diversity in the composition of spatial arrangements of SAFs, especially if combined with organic fertilization and cultivation of agricultural crops, which has proven to be a profitable alternative to reduce restoration costs, can be completely amortized in a second cycle of cultivars, because until the establishment of the tree canopy of native species, the cultivation of agricultural crops can be a source of income to the farmer and ensure their food security.
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