ABSTRACT
Mixed plantations of indigenous tree species aims to catalyze forest regeneration in the ecological restoration of degraded areas. This work analyzes the performance of 26 tree species planted in the lowland areas at the Reserva Biológica de Poço das Antas, in Silva Jardim municipality, Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil. Three experimental plantings, with áreas ranging from 0.64 to 1.17 ha were evaluated. A successional planting model divided species into four functional groups: pioneers and early secondaries (shading species), and late secondaries and climax (shaded species). In order to evaluate the performance of the species, we evaluated survival rate and development (growth rate and diameter at the plant base - DAS) of the seedlings planted. All the early species used had a good performance, both for the survival and growth rates, especially Citharexylum myrianthus, Schinus terebinthifolius and Trema micrantha. After early species shaded the degraded site, late species grew faster, as could be observed for Calophyllum brasiliense, Copaifera langsdorffii and Guarea guidonia, suggesting the successional model is effective in accelerating Forest regeneration. Jacaratia spinosa and Plathymenia foliolosa are late species which showed fast growth, as early species do, and may be classified as anthropogenic pioneer species. The model using indigenous tree species showed an excellent performance, both for survival and growth rates, and have a great potential to restablish ecological processes in degraded areas at the Reserva Biológica de Poço das Antas and in similar areas surrounding.
Key words:
Restoration ecology; atlantic rain forest; natural regeneration; secondary succession