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Facilitative effects of tree species on natural regeneration in an endangered biodiversity hotspot

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Abstract

Canopy species can act changing abundance, survival and spatial distribution of other species below. The present study investigated the potential of four native species from the Atlantic Forest (Bixa arborea Huber, Inga laurina (Sw.) Willd., Joannesia princeps Vell. and Senna multijuga var. verrucosa (Vogel) H.S. Irwin & R.C. Barneby) at two spacings (2 × 2 and 3 × 3 m) in facilitating natural regeneration in areas undergoing forest restoration in southeastern Brazil. Circular plots were established under the canopies of each individual of these species and in open areas. All regenerating tree species were counted and identified. Joannesia princeps and S. multijuga var. verrucosa supported a greater richness of species under their canopy compared to the control area, but did not differ from the other species. The richness of regenerating trees under Bixa arborea and Inga laurina canopy did not differ from the control area. A greater abundance of regenerating trees was found below Inga laurina, Joannesia princeps and S. multijuga var. verrucosa. Trees planted at 2 × 2 m spacing sheltered a greater richness of regenerating tree species than at 3 × 3 m spacing. The species Joannesia princeps and S. multijuga var. verrucosa and the use of 2 × 2 m spacing are therefore recommended for accelerating the natural succession of degraded areas. Knowledge of the best combinations of species and spacing schemes to use to restore Atlantic rain forest is valuable because this design can guide the structuring and composition of regenerated forests.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to thank the Reserva Natural Vale for logistical support and the support of the Dean of Research from Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG). The first author would like to thank the Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa e Inovação do Espírito Santo (the Espirito Santo Foundation for Research and Innovation) (Fapes) for the awarding of a Master’s grant.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Ecologia Evolutiva e Biodiversidade/DBG, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais/ICB, CP 486, Belo Horizonte, MG, 30161-970, Brazil

    Cristiani Spadeto, G. Wilson Fernandes & Daniel Negreiros

  2. Centro Universitário UNA, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas e Saúde, Rua Guajajaras 175, Belo Horizonte, MG, 30180-100, Brazil

    Daniel Negreiros

  3. Centro de Ciências Agrárias e Engenharias (CCAE), UFES, Av. Governador Lindemberg, 316, Centro, Jerônimo Monteiro, ES, 29550-000, Brazil

    Sustanis Horn Kunz

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  1. Cristiani Spadeto
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  2. G. Wilson Fernandes
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Correspondence to Cristiani Spadeto.

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40415_2017_408_MOESM1_ESM.pdf

Online Resource 1 List of species of natural regeneration and their total abundances sampled in treatments in the Reserva Natural Vale, ES, Southeastern Brazil. 1 (PDF 279 kb)

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Spadeto, C., Wilson Fernandes, G., Negreiros, D. et al. Facilitative effects of tree species on natural regeneration in an endangered biodiversity hotspot. Braz. J. Bot 40, 943–950 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40415-017-0408-x

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