Rehabilitation practices in a burned Araucaria Forest patch: partial results

Abstract

This study describes the initial measures taken to reconstitute the forest cover in a burned area of Araucaria Forest by means of planting seeds and seedlings of Araucaria angustifolia (parana pine) and Ocotea porosa (imbuia). The study area is located at the Experimental Station of Caçador, in Caçador, State of Santa Catarina, Brazil. Species were systematically arranged in lines and rows over the experimental area and a spacing of 5 x 5 m between trees belonging to the same species was adopted. There were planted 123 parana-pines and 96 imbuias. Thirty-five trees, which remained after the fire, were also left in the area. Parana-pines were firstly planted by seed, but due to the attack of Cebus apella nigritus on the newly emerged plants, it was necessary to replant them using seedlings. Imbuias were planted using seedlings and some damages due to ants and caterpillars were observed. At the present phase of the research, survival analyses are being performed, as well as the collection of data for a Geographic Information System. Next steps will include sampling of natural regeneration of tree species of economic importance occurring in the same area.