Influence of Removal of a Non-native Tree Species Mimosa caesalpiniifolia Benth. on the Regenerating Plant Communities in a Tropical Semideciduous Forest Under Restoration in Brazil

Abstract

Exotic species are used to trigger facilitation in restoration plantings, but this positive effect may not be permanent and these species may have negative effects later on. Since such species can provide a marketable product (firewood), their harvest may represent an advantageous strategy to achieve both ecological and economic benefits. In this study, we looked at the effect of removal of a non-native tree species (Mimosa caesalpiniifolia) on the understory of a semideciduous forest undergoing restoration. We assessed two 14-year-old plantation systems (modified "taungya" agroforestry system; and mixed plantation using commercial timber and firewood tree species) established at two sites with contrasting soil properties in São Paulo state, Brazil. The experimental design included randomized blocks with split plots. The natural regeneration of woody species (height ≥0.2 m) was compared between managed (all M. caesalpiniifolia trees removed) and unmanaged plots during the first year after the intervention. The removal of M. caesalpiniifolia increased species diversity but decreased stand basal area. Nevertheless, the basal area loss was recovered after 1 year. The management treatment affected tree species regeneration differently between species groups. The results of this study suggest that removal of M. caesalpiniifolia benefited the understory and possibly accelerated the succession process. Further monitoring studies are needed to evaluate the longer term effects on stand structure and composition. The lack of negative effects of tree removal on the natural regeneration indicates that such interventions can be recommended, especially considering the expectations of economic revenues from tree harvesting in restoration plantings.

POTENCIAL INVASOR DE Mimosa caesalpiniifolia Benth. EM ÁREA DE PLANTIO ABANDONADO DE Corymbia citriodora (Hook.) K.D. Hill & L.A.S. Johnson NO INTERIOR DA FLORESTA NACIONAL DO RIO PRETO, CONCEIÇÃO DA BARRA, ES

“…A maior luminosidade na borda do que no interior do plantio, estimula o desenvolvimento da espécie, já que a espécie é considerada pioneira por PODADERA et al (2015), e provavelmente devido à característica da copa rala possibilita a ocorrência de auto-regeneração nas proximidades das matrizes, formando matas puras, o que pode ser classificado como um comportamento de espécie dos primeiros estágios da formação arbórea.…”

Growing Periandra mediterranea on post-mining substrate: native Fabaceae with potential for revegetation of degraded rupestrian grasslands in Brazil

“…and development of other species, and may require their removal or management (Chapman et al 1996;Podadera et al 2015). Periandra mediterranea exhibited high biomass allocation to the shoot, which also occurs with other native species of shallow and stony soil environments, in which root growth is difficult (Negreiros et al 2009).…”

Seeded pioneer die-offs reduce the functional trait space of new-growth coastal dune forests

“…late-successional) replace pioneers following a disturbance event (Chazdon, 2011;Dent et al, 2013;Lebrija-Trejos et al, 2010a). However, the reliance on the establishment of pioneers to restore vegetation through succession needs further investigation (Boyes et al, 2011;McNamara et al, 2006;Podadera et al, 2015;Vleut et al, 2013). Contrary to popular belief pioneers may not facilitate forest regeneration, but simply tolerate or even inhibit the colonization of late-successional species (Connell and Slatyer, 1977).…”