Influences of environmental variables on the natural regeneration in a forest under restoration after bauxite mining and a reference ecosystem in Southeastern Brazil
The shrub-tree floristic compositions of the natural regeneration stratum of a bauxite mine in the process of restoration and in a reference ecosystem (remnant of a preserved secondary Seasonal Semi-Deciduous Forest) were analysed to evaluate forest restoration conditions five years after planting. The influences of canopy openness, accumulated leaf litter and soil attributes in the regeneration stratum were also investigated in both forests. The floristic composition of the regeneration stratum in the restoration forest and in the reference ecosystem are distinct, due to the difference in the environmental variables. Results showed that the reference ecosystem favours the presence of species that tolerate environments with greater shading and higher aluminium and organic matter content in the soil, while the forest under restoration favours the presence of species adapted to fertile soils and those that tolerate greater luminosity. The restoration actions implanted are making possible the return of native species in bauxite mined area.