Potential of natural regeneration of a compensatory planting carried out in an urban conservation unit under strong anthropic pressure

Abstract

Protected areas by the law represent one of the strategies for biodiversity conservation, especially in regions under strong human pressure. However, many of these protected areas present barriers that prevent natural regeneration and knowing them becomes essential. In this sense, the objective of this work was to verify the regeneration potential of a restoration plantation carried out in a Conservation Unit, by quantifying the contribution of diaspores and the formation of young individuals. Seed collectors and natural regeneration plots were launched in a plantation carried out at the Fontes do Ipiranga State Park, São Paulo, SP. 54 species (41 arboreal) were identified and 24,033 propagules (17,775 of the invasive species Urochloa decumbens) were registered and regarding seedling recruitment there were 58 species (16 arboreal). The regeneration potential was still greatly influenced by the conditions of the area and the strong presence of invasive grasses, combined with the low diversity of tree species identified in the seed rain and in the recruitment of seedlings, had compromised the process.