SEED BANK ANALYSIS AS AN INDICATOR OF ENVIRONMENTAL RECOVERY FOLLOWING THE FUNDÃO DAM DISASTER IN MARIANA, MINAS GERAIS
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Abstract
Background: The study aimed to assess the effectiveness of restoration practices following the Fundão disaster in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest, a key region for global biodiversity. Focusing on affected areas in Mariana, MG, the study used seed bank analysis as a key indicator to understand environmental recovery progress. The study compared active and passive restoration areas with a reference ecosystem by collecting 168 soil samples, which were subjected to germination in a greenhouse.
Results: The results revealed a high germination rate of herbaceous seeds, predominantly native species. Significant differences were found in floristic composition among the different restoration types studied. Areas undergoing active restoration showed greater similarity to the reference ecosystem, emphasizing the importance of Distance from Forest Fragment, Percentage of Forest Area in the Surroundings, and species diversity for restoration success.
Conclusion: The results highlight the crucial importance of landscape connectivity for the success of ecological restoration. Active restoration strategies play a fundamental role in accelerating environmental recovery and bringing degraded areas closer to the floristic composition of reference ecosystems.
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