PHYTOSOCIOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF THE AUTOGENIC SUCCESSION IN MINED AREAS IN THE BRAZILIAN FEDERAL DISTRICT

Abstract

Approximately 0.6% of the Brazilian Federal District´s territory have been degraded by mining. The evaluation of plant succession on such sites can be a useful tool to define strategies for reclamation. Thus, woody species of fifteen exploited sites, abandoned to succession for 20 - 47 years, were surveyed. All woody plants present on the sites were identified and counted for the evaluation of frequency, density and dominance of plant species naturally established on the mined spoils. Results show a plant density below 5% and a species density below 15% compared to values measured in native areas. Ten out 98 species found on the mined areas accounted for 52.9% of woody plants dominance. Capacity of re-growing from roots of some Savanna species is shaping the communities and the succession on exploited sites. About ¾ of native species found on the mined areas are able to re-grow from roots, and they made up to 89% of dominance and 96% of plant’s density. Results point out to the need of boosting ecological succession through revegetation works on mined areas in the Brazilian Federal District.