Abstract Soil and water bioengineering (SWBE) is a feasible, economical and ecologically friendly alternative to restore the riparian forest areas affected by the Brumadinho mining tailings dam rupture. We evaluated the vegetative propagation capacity by cuttings and initial development of nine native riparian species of the Paraobepa River for use in SWBE techniques. From the results it is possible to separate the species into two distinct groups, namely those that can resprout and produce roots from their cuttings (group 1: Acnistus arborescens (L.) Schltdl., Croton urucurana Baill., Gymnanthes schottiana Müll.Arg., Indigofera suffruticosa Mill. and Sesbania virgata (Cav.) Poir.) and are suitable for use as live cuttings in SWBE techniques; and those which were only able to produce shoots (group 2: Casearia decandra Jacq., Chrysophyllum marginatum (Hook. & Arn.) Radlk., Inga vera Willd. and Schinus terebinthifolia Raddi) and should only be used in seedling form to increase the diversity of the interventions.

Abstract The objective of this study was to evaluate plant cover and dry mass produced by green manures and their influence on the chemical attributes of soil for the ecological restoration of an area around bauxite mine environment in Southeast Brazil. Soil preparation, chemical fertilization and sowing of three species of green manures were carried out: Cajanus cajan, Crotalaria juncea and Stylosanthes guianensis. In general, C. cajan and C. juncea showed the best performance in plant cover. C. cajan and S. guianensis produced more phytomass. Green manures were efficient to promote rapid plant cover and increase in soil organic matter and total-N contents in all treatments. Therefore, green manure is a viable alternative that contributes to the success of ecological restoration projects in areas in the bauxite mining environment. Brazil preparation out general C S phytomass totalN total N treatments Therefore

Resumen Introducción: El banco de semillas en el suelo es uno de los indicadores ecológicos más importantes para la evaluación y monitoreo de recuperación de ecosistemas degradados. Así mismo, actualmente indicadores ecológicos de restauración son usados en áreas afectadas por la ruptura de la represa de relaves de Fundão en Mariana, Minas Gerais, Brasil. Objetivo: En este estudio se evaluó la variación de la riqueza, composición de especies, densidad y parámetros fitosociológicos del banco de semillas en dos profundidades de relaves mineros en Mariana, municipio de Mariana, Minas Gerais, Brasil. Métodos: Se recolectaron 15 muestras por nivel de profundidad, en la capa superior (Profundidad1, P1 = 0-2.5 cm) y capa inferior (Profundidad2, P2 = 2.5-5.0 cm) del relave de minería para examinar el banco de semillas viable, que luego se colocó en un invernadero para la germinación. Posteriormente se contaron e identificaron semanalmente todos los individuos de cada especie durante un período de seis meses. Resultados: Se demostró que existe un banco de semillas en las capas superficiales de relaves mineros acumulados en las áreas afectadas de Mariana, con una marcada diferencia entre profundidades en términos de riqueza de especies y densidad de individuos. Se observó una mayor riqueza y número de individuos en P1, (1 165 semillas germinadas), pertenecientes a 18 familias y 47 especies, en comparación a P2 (197 individuos), pertenecientes a 12 familias y 23 especies. El banco de semillas de la capa P1 está influenciado por la lluvia de semillas del bosque cercano. Por otro lado, el banco de semillas de P2, puede ser característico de los relaves mineros. Conclusiones: El banco de semillas estudiado puede tener efectos positivos sobre la recuperación en el área de estudio, debido a la alta proporción de especies nativas, pioneras y anemocóricas típicas de etapas iniciales de sucesión secundaria.

Abstract Introduction: The soil seed bank is one of the most important ecological indicators for evaluating and monitoring the resilience of degraded ecosystems. Likewise, ecological restoration indicators are currently used in areas affected by the rupture of the Fundão tailings dam in Mariana, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Objective: To evaluate the seed bank at two depths of areas affected by mining tailings, Mariana municipality, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Methods: 15 samples (40 × 40 cm) were collected per level of depth, in the upper layer (Depth1, P1 = 0-2.5 cm), and lower layer (Depth2, P2 = 2.5-5.0 cm) of the mining tailings to survey the viable seed bank, which was later placed in a greenhouse for germination and seedling identification. The samples were placed in plastic trays to germinate in the nursery, then counted and identified weekly for six months. Results: The results showed that there is a seed bank in the surface layers of accumulated mining tailings in the affected areas of Mariana, with a marked difference between depths in terms of species richness and density of individuals. Higher species richness and number of individuals were observed in P1, (1 165 germinated seeds), belonging to 18 families and 47 species, in comparison to P2 (197 individuals), belonging to 12 families and 23 species. Probably the seed bank of layer P1 is influenced by the rain of seeds from the nearby forest. On the other hand, the P2 seed bank can be characteristic of mining tailings. Conclusions: Seed bank patterns can have positive effects on forest resilience at the local-scale, due to the high proportion of native, pioneer and anemochorical species of early successional stages.

Abstract The restoration methods applied on the areas affected by the Fundão tailings dam collapse have a high priority in Mariana region. We evaluated the effect of different restoration methods and site preparation techniques, depth and seasonality on penetration resistance of tailings, and how these predictors affect tree aboveground biomass in areas affected by the Fundão dam collapse in Mariana, Brazil. No significant differences in penetration resistance and aboveground biomass between treatments were observed, but significant differences were observed between seasonal periods. The main univariate model explained the significant effects of depth and seasonality, mainly by a negatively wet effect on penetration resistance. According to the best models (univariate and multivariate) were those that had depth as a predictor. This study showed how penetration resistance can be an indicator to select the best period for restoration process in areas affected by the collapse of the Fundão dam, but no limit to the aboveground biomass recovery on tailing.

Abstract The objective of this study was to evaluate the capacity as bioindicators of litter arthropodofauna in pasture restoration in the Atlantic Forest Biome. Areas of native forest under natural regeneration, and pastures treated with different ecological restoration techniques were evaluated, with pitfall traps. The sampling period was from April/2017 to October/2018, bimonthly. Families Ptiliidae, Staphylinidae, and Leiodidae, species Pheidole cf. sarcina (Formicidae) and Mastigoceras sp. 1 and Szeptyckitheca sp. 1 (Collembola) were indicators of well-conserved areas, whereas families Cicadellidae and Delphacidae, Formicidae species Wasmannia auropunctata (Roger, 1863) and Camponotus melanoticus Emery, 1894 were indicators of degraded areas. From the springtail community, species richness is a metric that can be used as a bioindicator. It was observed that all taxonomic identification levels allowed for the differentiation of the environmental conditions of the sampling areas, with less specific identification levels, such as family, possibly indicating changes in areas under the restoration process.

Abstract The aim of this study is to characterize the perceptions and interests of farmers related to the adoption of agroforestry systems (AFS) for restoration of Fibria Celulose S.A.’s Legal Reserves (LRs), with the production of food and non-timber forest products. Twenty farmers were interviewed in the community of São Geraldo (São Mateus, Espírito Santo, Brazil), who participated in the social projects led by the company in the community. With this, it was possible to trace the profile of farmers and farms, their knowledge of environmental suitability, and interest in the adoption of AFS. Most farmers did not have information about AFS and the possibility of its use in LR. After being educated on the opportunities established in the Brazilian Forestry Law, 12 of the interviewed farmers expressed interest in adopting AFS to restore LR, considering the potential benefits to the diversification of income, water, soil, and biodiversity conservation. Finally, it was also possible to identify species of interest by farmers for AFS composition in LRs.

ABSTRACT The current study aims to characterize the soil seed banks in a forest under restoration and in a seasonal semideciduous forest remnant, as well as to quantitatively and qualitatively compare them in order to evaluate the seed bank potential to influence the restoration process. In total, 60 samples of soil seed banks were collected in two adjacent forests (30 in a 2.18-ha forest undergoing restoration process based on the planting of seedlings belonging to different tree species, after the forest was subjected to bauxite mining activity; and 30 in a 5.30-ha preserved forest fragment). The soil seed bank of the forest undergoing restoration recorded higher density of emerged seedlings than that of the reference ecosystem. Although the shrub-tree species in the investigated forests lacked floristic similarity, the highly similar dispersal syndrome distribution and the successional category of shrub-tree species in them have indicated that both forests underwent ecological processes. Therefore, the restoration process implemented in the mined area has successfully recovered the soil seed bank after a few years.

RESUMO Os objetivos deste estudo foram avaliar e correlacionar dados do banco de sementes do solo e do dossel (abertura de dossel-% Canopy Openness e índice de área foliar-IAF) em uma área minerada em processo de restauração por regeneração natural. A área de estudo localiza-se na Zona da Mata Mineira, que apresenta predomínio de Florestas Estacionais Semideciduais, e possui área de 0.50 ha em processo de regeneração natural após 6 anos da exploração de bauxita (sem nenhuma intervenção). Foram plotadas 10 parcelas de 45x29cm ao longo da área, distribuídas de forma a representar toda a porção em processo de restauração. Nestas parcelas foram avaliadas a diversidade do banco de sementes e as características de dossel, estas últimas coletadas através de uma câmera fotográfica NIKON D40X com lente de 8 mm (fisheye). Como resultados foram encontrados 8.280 indivíduos arbóreos, arbustivos, herbáceos e trepadeiras, totalizando 51 espécies e 24 famílias botânicas. O índice de diversidade de Shannon (H’) foi 2,770 e a equabilidade (J) foi 0,705, demonstrando assim uma média diversidade florística desta área, com densidade de 2.114,94 sementes germinadas m-². Através da análise do banco de sementes verificou-se a presença de espécies exóticas na área (23,5%), domínio de espécies pioneiras (68,6%), assim como a predominância de espécies dispersas por anemocoria (52,9%). Quanto às características do dossel, verificou-se uma grande variação existente em diferentes pontos da área, podendo também ser identificado certos padrões de existência de determinadas espécies herbáceas em função da abertura do dossel (menor cobertura vegetal/clareiras), bem como em função da proximidade espacial entre as parcelas plotadas, comprovando assim a alta correlação entre estas duas variáveis e sua importância no processo de restauração florestal.

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to evaluate and correlate information about soil seed bank and canopy (%Canopy Openness and Leaf area index-LAI) in a mined area in restoration process through natural regeneration. The study area is located in Zona da Mata of Minas Gerais, which presents predominance of Semideciduous Seasonal Forest, and has an area of 0.5 ha in process of natural regeneration after six years of bauxite exploitation (without any intervention). Along the area, ten plots of 45x29cm were allocated and distributed in the best way to represent the whole area in restoration process. Seed bank diversity and canopy characteristics were evaluated in these plots, the last one using a NIKON D40X photographic camera, with fisheye lens of 8mm. As results, 8280 individuals (tree, shrub, herbs, and vines) were found, totaling 51 species and 24 botanical families. The Shannon diversity index (H’) was 2.770, and the equability (J) was 0.705, which demonstrate an average diversity in this area, with a density of 2114.94 germinated seeds m-2. Through the evaluation of the seed bank, the presence of exotic species (23.5%), the dominance of the pioneer species (68.6%), as well as high dispersal by wind (52.9%) were verified in the area. According to canopy characteristics, a significant variation between different points/regions within the study area was found, while patterns of existence of certain herbs as a function of canopy openness (lower vegetal cover/clearings) were also identified, as well as in response to spatial proximity between the allocated plots, confirming the high correlation between these two variables and their importance in the process of forest restoration.

ABSTRACT Alteration of a natural ecosystem can physically, chemically and biologically affect a determined area. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the relation between the hydrology, soils and vegetation existing in an area changed by the implantation of a Hydroeletric Power Plant (HPP) in the municipality of Roque Gonzales, Rio Grande do Sul state. The study area was composed of three samples located downstream of the dam. This analysis was performed by the points method to verify the existence of similarity patterns between the vegetation, inundation levels and edaphic soil characteristics of each sample. As a result, greater floristic similarity was observed between the species as a relation of the spatial location with inundation levels. Thus, we can conclude that the vegetal establishment in the study area is under the direct influence of waterflow variation levels from the HPP, which contributes to defining species adaptability to these specific conditions, among others.

RESUMO O fogo é um dos principais problemas do bioma Mata Atlântica, mesmo em áreas protegidas, como as Unidades de Conservação (UCs). Sendo assim, o objetivo deste estudo foi conhecer o perfil dos incêndios florestais no Parque Estadual da Serra do Brigadeiro (PESB) e entorno, bem como suas respostas frente às variações ambientais. Para isto, foram analisadas as informações dos Registros de Ocorrências de Incêndios (ROIs) e suas inter-relações com os sistemas ambientais do PESB, por meio das análises dos planos espaciais (uso e cobertura do solo e relevo) e temporais (elementos climatológicos). De acordo com os resultados, 38% dos registros apresentaram as causas dos incêndios, destas, 77% foram identificadas como antrópicas. Analisando-se a área queimada, observou-se o maior número de ocorrências dentro da classe III (4,1 - 40,0 ha). A vegetação herbácea, por conta de suas características favoráveis, foi a mais atingida. O relevo também influenciou as ocorrências, a declividade, exposição das vertentes e altitude participaram significativamente do regime de incêndios no parque. A atividade antrópica mostrou sua influência com o aumento do tamanho da área queimada nas proximidades de vias de acesso (trilhas e estradas). Já o clima controlou a disposição temporal das ocorrências, no qual períodos de menor umidade relativa do ar tornaram os meses de agosto e setembro como os pertencentes à estação normal de perigo de incêndios e a precipitação acumulada determinou os anos mais problemáticos. Os resultados aqui apresentados fornecerão informações para subsidiar a tomada de decisões de forma mais segura e confiável na prevenção das ocorrências de incêndios florestais no PESB e entorno, visto que contribuem com um melhor entendimento dos fatores que controlam as ocorrências de incêndios na região.

ABSTRACT Fire is one of the main problems of the Atlantic Rainforest biome, even in protected areas such as Protected Areas (PAs or UC, in Portuguese). Thus, the aim of this study was to know the profile of forest fires in the Serra do Brigadeiro State Park (PESB-MG) and surroundings, as well as their responses in environmental variations. For this, we analyzed the information of Fire Incident Report (FIR or ROI, in Portuguese) and their interrelations with the environmental PESB systems through the analysis of spatial plans (land use and land cover and topography) and temporal (climatological elements). According to the results, only 38% of the records showed the causes of fires, of these, 77% were identified as anthropic. Analyzing the burned area, there was the highest number of occurrences within the class III (4.1 - 40.0 ha). The herbaceous vegetation, because of their favorable characteristics, was hardest hit. The relief also influenced the events, slope, aspect and height participated significantly in the fire regime in the Park. The anthropic activity showed its influence to increase the size of the area burned in the vicinity of access routes. The climate controlled the temporal arrangement of events, where periods of lower Relative humidity of air, made the months of August and September as belonging to the normal fire season and accumulated rainfall determined the most problematic years. The results presented here provide information to support the making of more safe and reliable decisions in the prevention of forest fire occurrences in PESB and surroundings, as they contribute to a better understanding of the factors that control the fire occurrences in the region.

RESUMO Ainda que os inselbergs ao redor do mundo sejam ecossistemas icônicos, pouco se sabe sobre os mecanismos subjacentes que estruturam suas comunidades vegetais, especialmente nas manchas de vegetação sobre afloramentos rochosos. Espera-se que as restrições ambientais causem agrupamento filogenético quando os nichos ecológicos são conservados dentro das linhagens evolutivas. Nós testamos se as manchas de vegetação dos afloramentos rochosos do Monumento Natural Piedra La Tortuga, no norte da região amazônica, apresentam indicadores filogenéticos de que a filtragem ambiental é o principal direcionador da estruturação da comunidade. Classificamos todas as manchas de acordo com seu tamanho como muito pequenas (<1 m2), pequenas (1-4 m2), médias (4-8 m2) e grandes (8-15 m2). Selecionamos aleatoriamente 10 manchas em cada classe de tamanho, totalizando 40 manchas cobrindo 226 m2. Todos os indivíduos encontrados nas 40 manchas foram identificados ao nível de espécie. Correlacionamos as medidas da estrutura filogenética da comunidade com o tamanho das manchas e encontramos que as espécies das manchas são restritas aos clados das monocotiledôneas, fabídeas, malvídeas e lamiídeas. Concluímos que a vegetação neste afloramento rochoso é agrupada filogeneticamente. Além disso, encontramos que o turnover filogenético entre pares de manchas aumenta com o tamanho da mancha, o que é consistente com um cenário de alto estresse ambiental nas manchas menores. São necessárias mais pesquisas para identificar espécies facilitadoras, que são fundamentais para a conservação e restauração destes ecossistemas.

ABSTRACT Although inselbergs from around the world are iconic ecosystems, little is known on the underlying mechanisms of community assembly, especially in their characteristic patchy outcrop vegetation. Environmental constraints are expected to cause phylogenetic clustering when ecological niches are conserved within evolutionary lineages. We tested whether vegetation patches from rock outcrops of the Piedra La Tortuga Natural Monument, in the northern Amazon region, are phylogenetically clustered, indicating that environmental filtering is the dominant driver of community assemblage therein. We classified all patches according to their size as very small (< 1 m2), small (1-4 m2), medium-sized (4-8 m2), and large patches (8-15 m2). From each class, we randomly selected 10 patches, totalizing 40 patches covering 226 m2. All individuals found in the 40 isolated patches were identified to the species level. We also correlated measurements of phylogenetic community structure with patch size. We found that species from patches are restricted to the clades monocots, fabids, malvids, and lamiids. We conclude that vegetation in this rock outcrop is phylogenetically clustered. Furthermore, we found that phylogenetic turnover between pairs of patches increases with patch size, which is consistent with a scenario of higher environmental stress in smaller patches. Further research is necessary to identify nurse species in inselberg vegetation, which is pivotal for conservation and restoration of this particular ecosystem.

Resumen Aunque los inselbergs son afloramientos rocosos icónicos con un alto valor biogeográfico, poco se conoce sobre los mecanismos responsables de la estructuración de comunidades vegetales. El objetivo de esta investigación fue evaluar cómo el tamaño de los parches de vegetación influye en la relación especie-área y distribución de la abundancia de especies de una comunidad en un inselberg del Monumento Natural “Piedra La Tortuga”, región Guayana, Venezuela. Por este motivo, se establecieron tres preguntas de investigación: ¿Cuál es el efecto del tamaño de los parches sobre la riqueza de especies? ¿Qué tipo de modelo especie-área (SAR) presenta mejor ajuste en esos parches de vegetación? ¿Cómo es la distribución de las abundancias de las especies (SADs) es inducida por el tamaño de los parches? Se realizó un muestreo aleatorio estratificado en parches que oscilaron entre 0.34 y 14.8 m2, totalizando 40 unidades muestrales (226 m2). Todos los individuos encontrados en los 40 parches fueron identificados a nivel de especie. La composición florística en las diferentes muestras estuvo representada por 19 familias, 22 géneros y 24 especies, de las cuales 50 % son endémicas de inselbergs y dos están amenazadas de extinción. Se identificaron dos grupos de tamaños de parches (grandes 8-15 m2 y pequeños ≤ 7.9 m2) en relación a la abundancia y composición de especies, con diferencias significativas entre los grupos. Las curvas de acumulación de especies para cada grupo de tamaño de parche muestran una tendencia contrastante con marcadas diferencias en la riqueza observada entre los grupos de tamaños de parches. Las curvas de los modelos SADs tuvieron un ajuste significativo de la serie geométrica en las dos categorías de parches. El modelo SAR de la función potencia presentó los mejores ajustes especie-área, donde el aumento del área de los parches explicó un 82 % de la variación en el aumento del número de especies. Los resultados de este estudio demuestran por primera vez como el tamaño de los parches de vegetación de un inselberg tropical tiene una fuerte influencia sobre la riqueza, distribución de la abundancia y composición de especies. Así mismo, se determinó que el modelo geométrico SAD presentó el mejor ajuste en la comunidad en función del tamaño de los parches como un indicador de recursos, donde la abundancia de una especie puede ser equivalente a una proporción del espacio ocupado. También se presume que los cambios de tamaño de los parches, podría estar asociado con la disponibilidad de nutrientes y agua, como ha sido demostrado en otros ambientes de tierras secas. En algunos estudios se ha argumentado que la variación en la composición de especies entre los perfiles de vegetación de inselbergs tropicales está condicionada principalmente por la estructura del hábitat y el déficit hídrico. Sin embargo, no se había discutido cómo el tamaño de los parches de vegetación tiene un efecto en la riqueza. Los análisis SADs y SAR pueden proporcionar explicaciones complementarias sobre la estructuración de comunidades vegetales en inselbergs.

Abstract Although inselbergs are iconic rock outcrops with a high biogeographic value, little is known about drivers responsible for the plant community assembly. The aim of this research was to evaluate how the patch size distribution of vegetation influences the species-area relationship and species abundance distribution of a community in an inselberg of the “Piedra La Tortuga” Natural Monument of the Guayana region, Venezuela. In this context, three research questions were established: What is the effect of patch size on species richness? What species-area model (SAR) has the best fit in those vegetation patches? How is the distribution of species abundances (SADs) induced by the patch size distribution? A stratified random sampling was performed in patches ranging from 0.34 to 14.8 m2, totaling 40 sampling units (226 m2). All individuals found in the 40 patches were identified at species level. The floristic composition in the different samples was represented by 19 families, 22 genera and 24 species, of which 50 % are endemic to inselbergs and two, are threatened of extinction. Two groups of patch sizes were identified (large 8-15 m2 and small ≤ 7.9 m2) in relation to the abundance and composition of species. The species accumulation curves for each patch size group show a contrasting tendency with marked differences in the observed richness among patch size groups. The curves of the SADs models had a significant adjustment of the geometric series in the two categories of patches. The SAR model of the power function presented the best species-area adjustments, where the increase in patch area accounted for 82 % of the variation in the increase in the number of species. The results of this study demonstrate for the first time how vegetation patches of a tropical inselberg have a strong influence on richness, abundance distribution and species composition. Likewise, it was determined that the SAD geometric model presented the best fit in the community as a function of patch size as a resource indicator, where the abundance of a species can be equivalent to a proportion of the space occupied. It is also presumed that changes in patch sizes could be associated with nutrient and water availability, as has been demonstrated in other dryland environments. In some studies it has been argued that variation in species composition among vegetation profiles of tropical inselbergs is mainly conditioned by habitat structure and water deficit. However, it had not been discussed how the size of patches of vegetation has an effect on richness. SADs and SAR analyzes can provide complementary explanations on community assembly in inselbergs. Rev. Biol. Trop. 66(2): 937-951. Epub 2018 June 01.

Resumo O presente estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a serapilheira acumulada em dois ambientes, uma floresta em processo de restauração, após a mineração de bauxita, e um ecossistema de referência (remanescente de floresta secundária em estágio médio de sucessão), e verificar a relação de variáveis ambientais (abertura de dossel, compactação do solo, regeneração natural) com o acúmulo de serapilheira em ambas florestas. Foram alocadas 30 parcelas de 2 × 2 m em cada uma das duas florestas. No centro de cada parcela coletou-se todo o material orgânico contido em amostras de 0,5 × 0,5 m para posterior obtenção da massa seca. Há dissimilaridade entre as duas florestas, em relação ao estoque de serapilheira e demais variáveis ambientais avaliadas. A floresta em restauração apresentou menor acúmulo de serapilheira que o ecossistema de referência. O maior acúmulo de serapilheira, em ambas florestas, acontece em locais com maior quantidade de indivíduos do estrato de regeneração natural e em locais que apresentam solos menos compactados.

Abstract The present study had as objective to evaluate the accumulated litter in two environments, a forest under restoration, after the bauxite mining, and a reference ecosystem (remaining secondary forest in a midsuccessional stage), and investigate the relationship between environmental variables (canopy opening, soil compaction, natural regeneration) and litter accumulation in both forests. Thirty plots of 2 × 2 m in each forest were allocated. In the center of each plot, all organic material contained in samples of 0.5 × 0.5 m was collected to obtain the dry mass. There is dissimilarity between the two forests, in relation to the litter stock and other environmental variables evaluated. The forest in restoration presents less litter accumulation than the reference ecosystem. The largest litter accumulation in both forests occurs in sites with higher number of individuals in the natural regeneration layer and in sites with lower soil compaction.

RESUMO O método ponto de escuta foi utilizado com o objetivo de avaliar a comunidade de aves em um pequeno trecho de 1 ha de floresta restaurada com mais de 40 anos de implantação, no município de Viçosa - MG. Um total de 20 pontos foi amostrado no período reprodutivo das aves no ano de 2011. Foram registrados 31 espécies de aves e 160 contatos, sendo a maioria das espécies típicas da Floresta Estacional Semidecidual e cinco espécies endêmicas do Bioma Mata Atlântica. No presente estudo, a presença de aves consumidora de frutos e de aves insetívoras de sub-bosque que apresentam pouca tolerância a ambientes abertos e de forte insolação, sugere a boa qualidade do habitat amostrado, confirmando que a floresta restaurada se encontra em estádio avançado de sucessão, conforme estudos anteriores. Os resultados do presente estudo também demonstram que mesmo em uma área pequena e com poucos dias de amostragens foi possível obter uma rápida caracterização da comunidade de aves e, a partir dessa composição, relacioná-la com as condições do habitat, permitindo uma avaliação segura do sucesso de um projeto de restauração florestal.

ABSTRACT The point-counts method was used to evaluate the bird community in a small patch of forest (1 ha) restored through reforestation, with more than 40 years of deployment, in Viçosa, MG state. In total, 20 points were sampled in the reproductive period of the birds, during 2011. A total of 31 bird species and 160 contacts were recorded, and all species were identified as typical from a semi-deciduous forest and included five endemic species of the Atlantic forest biome. In the present study, the presence of frugivorous and insectivorous birds in the understory with little tolerance for open environments and strong insolation, suggests the good quality of the sampled habitat, confirming that the restored forest is in an advanced stage of succession. The results of this study also demonstrate that even in a small area, and with a few days of sampling, it is possible to obtain a rapid characterization of the bird community, being possible to associate it to the habitat conditions and allowing a safe evaluation of the success of a forest restoration project.

ABSTRACT The objective was to evaluate the influence of fire in a forest fragment through litter biomass analysis, regeneration of Cecropia sp., and canopy openness. Two treatments were established, one of them corresponding to an area affected by fire (T1) and the other not affected by fire (T2), both areas encompassing 0.3 ha of forest. Samples were collected in 20 different sites in each treatment, weighed and placed in an oven at 70 °C to constant weight. To quantify Cecropia sp. regeneration a census was performed in both areas. Hemispheric images collected at 5 different points in each area were used to analyze canopy openness. Data were analyzed through analysis of variance (ANOVA) and a significant difference between treatments was detected. The area affected by fire had higher canopy openness, greater amount of Cecropia sp., and lower litter biomass when compared with the area that was not affected by fire. This indicates that fire interfered with the structure and composition of the burned forest.