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R.S. Moro & C.H Rocha 2010. A methodological proposal for restoration of forests in southern Brazil
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A methodological proposal for restoration of forests in southern Brazil
Rosemeri Segecin Moro 1* & Carlos Hugo Rocha 2
1 DEBIO- Universidade Estadual de Ponta Grossa, PR, Brazil
2 DESOLOS- Universidade Estadual de Ponta Grossa, PR, Brazil
Abstract
In order to comply with the Brazilian Forest Code, landowners except in the Amazon must set
aside at least 20% of their land area as Legal Reserves. Regional projects developed a
restoration model that is both ecologically and economically viable. By mixing native and
exotic (Eucalyptus) species, timber production is possible in 20 years. Adding to wood
production, other benefits such as carbon offset, soil and water protection, increased
biodiversity, and species conservation are ensured through this strategy. To enhance chances for
adoption of such strategy on the highlands in Southern Brazil, we propose to use the native
conifer Araucaria instead of Eucalyptus in the system. A 30-year evaluation between
reforestation and natural Araucaria canopies showed that biodiversity could be reached using
planted forest as well setting natural areas aside. The presence of endangered species in both
situations indicated the ecological importance of this alternative.
Keywords: Araucaria forest – forest restoration – planted forests
1. Subject
Timber and cellulose production make up an expressive portion of the Brazilian
economy. Planted forests are seen as a land use form of nature conservation on the highlands in
southern Brazil. They are important sources of timber that would otherwise be exploited from
the natural forests. In order to comply with the Brazilian Forest Code, landowners must set aside
at least 20% of their land area as Legal Reserves (except in the Amazon, where at least 80%
must be preserved) – land properties that are short of natural forest cover to meet the minimum
required Legal Reserve areas are required to restore it by either natural or artificial regeneration.
The Paraná Biodiversity Project, with support from the State Government and the World
Bank, developed a Legal Reserve restoration model that is both ecologically and economically
viable. It is an effort to combine conservation goals with legal requirements and sustainable
development. It is based on a forest management strategy on planted stands with native tree
species mixed with exotics (Eucalyptus). Timber production is planned on a 20-year span. After
harvesting Eucalyptus species over that period, only native trees are left to start the restoration
of the natural ecosystem. In addition to wood production, other benefits are ensured through the
adoption of this strategy such as carbon offset, soil and water protection, increased biodiversity,
and species conservation. All these factors contribute to increase forest fragment sizes and
landscape connectivity. In order to increase the number of adepts to this strategy on the
highlands in Southern Brazil, we propose to use only native species, including Araucaria
angustifolia instead of Eucalyptus as the major timber source in the system.
* Corresponding author. Tel.:55-42-3223-4417 - Fax:55-42-3224-4747
Email address: rsmoro@uepg.br
Forest Landscapes and Global Change-New Frontiers in Management, Conservation and Restoration. Proceedings of the IUFRO Landscape Ecology
Working Group International Conference, September 21-27, 2010, Bragança, Portugal. J.C. Azevedo, M. Feliciano, J. Castro & M.A. Pinto (eds.)
2010, Instituto Politécnico de Bragança, Bragança, Portugal.