Large-scale restoration programmes in the tropics require large volumes of high quality, genetically diverse and locally adapted seeds from a large number of species. However, scarcity of native seeds is a critical restriction to achieve restoration targets. In this paper, we analyse three successful community-based networks that supply native seeds and seedlings for Brazilian Amazon and Cerrado restoration projects. In addition, we propose directions to promote local participation, legal, technical and commercialisation issues for up-scaling the market of native seeds for restoration with high quality and social justice. We argue that effective community-based restoration arrangements should follow some principles: (i) seed production must be based on real market demand; (ii) non-governmental and governmental organisations have a key role in supporting local organisation, legal requirements and selling processes; (iii) local ecological knowledge and labour should be valued, enabling local communities to promote large-scale seed production; (iv) applied research can help develop appropriate techniques and solve technical issues. The case studies from Brazil and principles presented here can be useful for the up-scaling restoration ecology efforts in many other parts of the world and especially in tropical countries where improving rural community income is a strategy for biodiversity conservation and restoration.

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Large-scale ecological restoration programs across the world involve a voluminous demand for native seeds of diverse native plant species. In this article, we explore how institutional systems have operated and impacted native seed supply in Brazil. Native seed supply for restoration is essentially a community-based activity which faces broad barriers to operating within regulations because of requirements for excessive and costly technical documentation, scarcity of seed laboratories, and lack of instructions for native seed quality testing. Although decentralized seed networks have stimulated arrangements for local organizations to promote seed supply, policies constrain the development of local capacities and the ongoing sustainability of these organizations. These conditions have resulted in a vast network of informal collectors and producers who are largely "invisible" and unknown to the regulatory authorities. Policies have decentralized responsibilities from the state without devolving decision-making power to the multiple stakeholders engaged in policy elaboration. The policies maintain the centralized regulation of native seed supply. After examining Brazilian seed networks' experiences and conducting discussions with stakeholders and experts, we suggest adapting the current regulations to more local level contexts, encompassing the following strategies: (1) ensuring native seed origin and identity; (2) relaxation of the laboratory accreditation process for native seed quality assurance; (3) fostering seed markets for restoration; (4) research to provide technological innovation; (5) supporting local, diverse, and small seed-based businesses.

In this paper, we explore how diverse community networks in Brazil have locally advanced seed production and institutional systems to enhance a restoration economy. By focusing on the experiences of the six major native seed suppliers in Amazonia, the Cerrado, and the Atlantic Forest, we estimate the capacity to scale-up community-based systems to meet a large-scale restoration target as a rural development strategy. Over one decade, 1016 collectors traded 416.91 tonnes of native seeds representing, on average, 31.41 kilos yearly and USD 256.5 as household income. Based on this well documented empirical evidence, we estimate that Brazil’s restoration goal would require from 3.6 to 15.6 thousand tonnes of native seeds depending on the share of each restoration method adopted with potential work opportunities for 13.2 to 57.1 thousand collectors yearly and total income from USD 34 to 146 million. We argue that community networks represent feasible arrangements for increasing the availability of plant material sources which provide high socio-economic benefits. For scaling up native seed sources, we suggest the following key strategies: (i) government incentives and subsidies; (ii) enforcement of ecosystem restoration; (iii) community participation; (iv) adaptation of the seed regulations; (v) technological development; and (vi) seed market diversification.

SUMMARYGovernment regulations have created new markets for non-timber forest products such as tropical forest seeds for ecological restoration and agroforestry in Brazil. This paper examines whether and how participation in the seed market has affected assets that will shape households’ ability to pursue new livelihood opportunities. These impacts may vary across different dimensions of capital and among sociocultural groups. Impacts were characterized through semi-structured interviews following the sustainable livelihoods approach; 40 producers in the Xingu Seed Network, from settler farmer, urban and indigenous groups, were interviewed. The groups differed in perceptions of impacts on their natural, social and human capital, which could be related to the sociocultural background and vulnerability context of each group. Communities that were already organized were most likely to strengthen their social capital through participation. Cash income earned from sale of seeds was correlated with household-reported gains in financial capital, but not correlated with changes in other dimensions of capital. Contrary to expectations, sociocultural groups less integrated with the market achieved better livelihood outcomes through participation in the seed market.

The UN Decade of Ecosystem Restoration is poised to trigger the recovery of ecosystem services and transform structural injustices across the world in a way unparalleled in human history. The inclusion of diverse Indigenous and local communities to co-create robust native seed supply systems is the backbone to achieve the goals for the Decade. Here we show how community-based organizations have co-developed native seed supply strategies for landscape restoration from the bottom-up. We draw on the interconnections over two decades of seed networks in Brazil and the emerging Indigenous participation in native seed production in Australia. From an environmental justice perspective, we provide a participatory seed supply approach for local engagement, noting local geographical, social and cultural contexts. Meeting large-scale restoration goals requires the connection between local seed production and collaborative platforms to negotiate roles, rights and responsibilities between stakeholders. An enduring native seed supply must include a diversity of voices and autonomy of community groups that builds equitable participation in social, economic, and environmental benefits.

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This study aimed to quantify the carbon dioxide emissions from an Oxisol under degraded pasture located in Sorocaba, São Paulo State, Brazil. The treatments were: sewage sludge (LE), sewage sludge compost (CLE), mineral fertilizer (AM) and no fertilization (T0). The experiment was conducted in a completely randomized block design with analysis of the effect of the four treatments (CLE, LE, and AM T0) with four replications. The application of sewage sludge, sewage sludge compost, mineral fertilizer and no fertilizer was statistically significant for the variables of height increase and stem height of Guanandi seedlings (Calophyllum brasiliense Cambessèdes -Calophyllaceae). Treatments showed significant differences in terms of CO 2 emissions from soil. The CLE exhibited the highest CO 2 fluxes, reaching a peak of 9.33±0.96 g C m -2 day -1 (p<0.0001), as well as the LE with a maximum CO 2 flux of 6.35±1.17 C m ). CO 2 fluxes were correlated with soil temperature in all treatments. However, considering the period of 172 days of evaluation, the total loss of C as CO 2 was 2.7% for sewage sludge and 0.7% for the sewage sludge compost of the total C added with the application on soil.Key words: GHG, organic waste, carbon.Emissão de CO 2 do solo após reflorestamento e aplicação de lodo de esgoto ResumoO presente estudo teve como objetivo quantificar as emissões de gás carbônico a partir de um Latossolo Vermelho eutroférrico sob pastagem degradada localizada na região de Sorocaba. Os tratamentos avaliados foram: lodo de esgoto (LE), composto de lodo de esgoto (CLE), adubo mineral (AM) e ausência de adubação (T0). O experimento foi conduzido em blocos inteiramente casualizados, sendo analisado o efeito dos quatro tratamentos (CLE, LE, AM e T0) com quatro repetições. A aplicação de lodo de esgoto, composto de lodo de esgoto, fertilizante mineral e ausência de adubação apresentaram efeito estatístico quanto às variáveis de incremento em altura e a altura do coleto das mudas de Guanandi (Calophyllum brasiliense Cambessèdes -Calophyllaceae). Os tratamentos apresentaram diferença significativa quanto às emissões de CO 2 do solo. O CLE foi o tratamento de apresentou os maiores fluxos de CO 2 , atingindo um pico de 9,33±0,96 g C m -2 dia -1 (p<0,0001), assim como o LE, com um fluxo máximo de CO 2 de 6,35±1,17 C m ). Os fluxos de CO 2 apresentaram correlação com a temperatura do solo em todos os tratamentos estudados. No entanto, considerando o período de 172 dias de avaliação do experimento, a perda total de C na forma de CO 2 foi de 2,7% do total de C adicionado com a aplicação dos resíduos no solo para o lodo de esgoto e de 0,7% do total de C adicionado com a aplicação dos resíduos no solo para o composto de lodo de esgoto.Palavras-chave: gases do efeito estufa, resíduos orgânicos, carbono.