Alternative Forest Restoration Techniques

Abstract

This chapter seeks to describe the need to adapt the forest restoration to the different regional environmental filters and the different ecological opportunities of the landscapes, through the adoption of techniques not conventional or alternative restoration. When starting this text, it should be made clear that all restoration models and techniques have their environmental and socioeconomic importance, since they contribute to the return of forest ecosystems to a non-degraded state, with direct or indirect impacts on the recovery and conservation of hydrological and nutrient cycles, biodiversity, agricultural production, and the minimization of climate change. Therefore, there is no pretension here to present a set of models and techniques that are "superior and unique" and that should be standardized and followed throughout the country. To be clear in this text, there are innumerable possibilities and alternatives for forest restoration in Brazil, given its continental dimensions, with remarkable climatic, edaphic, cultural, and socioeconomic diversity. Therefore, there is no single restoration model or technique that can be applied widely and on a large scale; what is important is to take advantage of the remaining potential for ecosystem regeneration by adapting more appropriate techniques for each situation.

Soil bacterial communities and their associated functions for forest restoration on a limestone mine in northern Thailand

“…Wubs et al [ 65 ] showed that inoculation of topsoil from late-successional ecosystems can both improve soil properties and direct ecological succession towards the condition of the donor site. Forest soil not only has relatively high organic matter content, which ensures high moisture-holding capacity and nutrient availability, but it also contains microbial inoculum and a plant seed bank which facilitate natural ecological succession [ 66 ]. Therefore, use of forest soil, rather than agricultural waste, is recommended.…”

Relationship Between Soil Seed Bank and Canopy Coverage in a Mined Area

“…A better understanding of the dynamics, behavior, and existence of establishment patterns in response to environmental and local characteristics is essential for the defi nition, development, and execution of ecological restoration projects (Martins, 2018a). In this sense, there are diff erent ways, methods, and indicators to evaluate a degraded environment or one that has undergone some alterations on its vegetable, edaphic, and fauna levels, among others.…”

Forest restoration methods, seasonality, and penetration resistance does not influence aboveground biomass stock on mining tailings in Mariana, Brazil

“…The Fundão tailings dam collapse directly affected 863.7 ha of Permanent Preservation Areas (as defined by the federal forest code) associated to watercourses due to the flooding of the ore tailings (Carmo et al 2017). Therefore, identifying ecological indicators related to natural forest recovery is essential to improve the management criteria of different active and passive restoration methods (Martins 2018, Holl et al 2020. For example, aboveground biomass (AGB) is one of the main ecological indicators of tropical forests recovery using either active or passive restoration methods (Holl et al 2020).…”

“…For example, aboveground biomass (AGB) is one of the main ecological indicators of tropical forests recovery using either active or passive restoration methods (Holl et al 2020). Thus, passive restoration is the spontaneous forest recovery that occurs without active human intervention; nevertheless this method can also require fencing to control livestock grazing, invasive species control, and fire protection (Martins 2018, Holl et al 2020. Meanwhile, active restoration might be more effective to speed up the recovery process (i.e.…”

“…Meanwhile, active restoration might be more effective to speed up the recovery process (i.e. biodiversity and ecosystem functioning), accomplished through planting of nursery-grown seedlings, direct seeding, weeding, and thinning to achieve desired recovery status (Martins 2018). The success or failure of the various methods of ecological restoration must be investigated to propose adaptations and to know the limiting factors of their success before their large-scale implementation.…”