Patterns of Natural Regeneration in the Region of “Mar de Morros”, Pinheiral-RJ

Abstract

The Atlantic Forest is the brazilian ecosystem that is subjected to stronger environmental degradation processes, yet in some environments the natural regeneration process can be observed. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the pattern of natural regeneration of forest fragments in the “Médio Vale Paraíba do Sul” as the topographic factors and to identify potential areas of regeneration. The mapping of forest fragments were obtained from images of the Thematic Mapper sensor (1994 and 2011). For topographical factors, the IBGE topographic maps were used. The natural regeneration process in the study area is influenced by topographical factors and occurs mainly in environments with a flat surface, steepness ranging from wavy corrugated strong, strand orientation ranging from SE (southeast) SW (southwest) and global solar radiation between 1.500.000 and 1.700.000 Watts. In sub-basin Cachimbal stream, favorable environments natural regeneration are not sufficient for sub-basin has restored its original forest cover, it represents only 1.2% of the watershed area, which refers to the need of human intervention.