Formação de sistema agroflorestal para restauração de mata ciliar e indicadores do solo na região do Médio Paraíba do Sul, RJ

Abstract

The use of agroforestry systems to restore riparian forests can be an important alternative to promote, beyond the environmental adequacy, the integration between conservation and production at small farms. Especially in the Médio Paraíba do Sul region, Rio de Janeiro State, whose history was the degradation of extensive natural landscapes. The objective of this study was to verify the potential use of agroforestry systems as an alternative technique for restoration of riparian forests in comparison to the conventional technique of planting forest species after three years of implantation. There was no negative influence of the agroforestry system on the survival and growth of most species, on height, diameter at ground level and degree of canopy cover. The use of Canavalia ensiformis led to a decrease in the coverage and biomass of spontaneous plants, as well as greater diversity of herbaceous species that are easier to control when compared with bigger and more aggressive grass species. The agroforestry system presented higher costs than the conventional system, and the revenues generated allowed an amortization of 10% on the restoration total cost. For the soil biological indicators, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and glomalin-related soil protein, there was no difference between the planting areas and the reference areas. As for epigeal fauna, differences were detected only in the rainy season for the forest area.