Sebastião Venâncio Martins
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Pedro Manuel Villa
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Fabio Haruki Nabeta
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Leonardo Ferreira Da Silva
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Gabriel Correa Kruschewsky
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Ecological restoration in forest ecosystem affected by the Fundão tailings dam failure is a national priority in Brazil. Thus, we evaluated the effects of passive and active restoration methods through different site preparation techniques by manipulating physical-chemical properties of substrates on tree community coverage in Mariana, Brazil. A total of 48 plots (12 × 12 m each) were established in two areas along the flood plains with accumulation of tailings. The following treatments were established: i) planting of native tree seedlings with fertilization and ii) without fertilization; iii) direct seeding of native trees with fertilization and iv) without fertilization; v) natural regeneration with fertilization and vi) without fertilization. Differences in substrate properties and tree community coverage were evaluated between treatments, the substrate properties and tree community coverage relationship, and main effects of substrate fertility and texture on tree community coverage. There were marked differences in substrate and plant coverage between treatments, maintaining a similar pattern in fertilizer treatments. There is a strong relationship between substrate fertility and plant community coverage, with significant positive effects. It was observed that the passive and active restoration methods can be complementary in the soil and plant community coverage recovery in the areas affected by the mining tailings in Mariana region.