Natural regeneration as a technique for restoring an area after bauxite mining, Minas Gerais, Southeast Brazil

Authors

  • Diego Balestrin Universidade Federal de Viçosa - UFV
  • Sebastião Venâncio Martins Universidade Federal de Viçosa - UFV
  • Wesley da Silva Fonseca Universidade Federal de Viçosa - UFV

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15536/revistathema.24.2025.3568

Keywords:

Atlantic Forest, Ecological restoration, Soil chemical attributes, Sustainability, Topsoil transfer

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the floristic composition, phytosociological parameters, and chemical attributes of the soil to assess the efficiency of exclusive natural regeneration for forest restoration in an area after 6 years of bauxite mining. The forest inventory was conducted for all individuals with a Circumference at Breast Height (CBH) ≥ 10 cm, and phytosociological parameters were analyzed using Fitopac 2.1 software. The area showed dominance of early succession species (pioneers and early secondary). The study revealed a low floristic diversity (H’=1.374) as well as equitability (J’=0.48), with the dominance of the genus Vernonanthura. The natural regeneration technique has proven to be efficient in soil coverage and has contributed to the recovery of soil attributes such as organic matter, soil pH, sum of bases, cation exchange capacity, total-N, and an increase in nutrients (K, Ca, Mg, Mn, and Zn). To enhance floristic diversity and expedite the restoration process in this area, we recommend controlling invasive grasses, enriching the area by planting seedlings of native species from more advanced succession stages, and employing nucleation techniques.

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Author Biographies

Diego Balestrin, Universidade Federal de Viçosa - UFV

PhD in Forest Science from the Universidade Federal de Viçosa (UFV), a Master's degree in Environmental Engineering from the Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, and a degree in Forest Engineering from the same institution. He is currently an Administrative Education Technician at the Instituto Federal Farroupilha, Júlio de Castilhos campus, and works in the areas of degraded area restoration, forest ecology, environmental impact assessment, plant production, and carbon stock.

Sebastião Venâncio Martins, Universidade Federal de Viçosa - UFV

Full Professor in the Department of Forest Engineering at the Universidade Federal de Viçosa (UFV). He holds a PhD in Plant Biology from Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), a Master’s degree in Forest Science from UFV, and a degree in Forest Engineering from Universidade Federal de Lavras (UFLA). He coordinates the Laboratório de Restauração Florestal (LARF/UFV), where he develops research projects on ecological restoration in partnership with companies from the mining, cellulose, and energy sectors. His main areas of expertise are forest ecology, ecosystem restoration, and the rehabilitation of mined areas.

Wesley da Silva Fonseca, Universidade Federal de Viçosa - UFV

PhD student in Forest Science at the Universidade Federal de Viçosa (UFV). He holds a Master’s degree in Forest Science and a degree in Forest Engineering from the same institution. His research focuses on forest ecology, restoration of mined areas, and assessment of ecosystem services, with an emphasis on carbon stocks, multifunctionality, and bioindicators.

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Published

2025-09-29

How to Cite

BALESTRIN, D.; VENÂNCIO MARTINS, S.; FONSECA, W. da S. Natural regeneration as a technique for restoring an area after bauxite mining, Minas Gerais, Southeast Brazil. Revista Thema, Pelotas, v. 24, n. 2, p. 1–16, 2025. DOI: 10.15536/revistathema.24.2025.3568. Disponível em: https://periodicos.ifsul.edu.br/index.php/thema/article/view/3568. Acesso em: 8 oct. 2025.

Issue

Vol. 24 No. 2 (2025)

Section

Ciências Agrárias

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