Analysis of the seed bank and soil fertility as tools for recovery of disturbed areas

Abstract

The perpetuation of plant species in forests depends on the viability of the seed bank and soil fertility. The goal of this study was to verify the species present in the seed bank, and the soil conditions that are available for use during recovery, of a disturbed area in Parque Municipal do Mocambo de Patos de Minas, MG. The site was divided into three areas and each area was further divided into nine random parcels that were 10x30m (300m2). Within each parcel, soil samples were collected in three places and three depths. Half of the samples were kept in the light and the other half in the dark. A soil sample from each area was collected to determine soil fertility. Herbaceous pioneer species emerged the most and the soil depth between 0-10cm had the highest emergency index. The soil tested was deficient in potassium and phosphorus; however, the values for other nutrients were good. This work found that the area studied can regenerate naturally, but it would be possible to speed up that process by introducing native plant species and native dispersers into area.

Keywords

• Emergence
• Parque Mocambo
• Regeneration
• Soil analysis