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Restoration of a coastal swamp forest in southeast Brazil

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Abstract

Restoration of degraded swamps often requires strong human intervention because of their fragility. In Brazil, coastal swamp forests are now much reduced by anthropogenic action. This paper investigates survival and growth performance of nine native shrub and tree species introduced into a degraded swamp invaded by exotic grasses and sedges in coastal Rio de Janeiro. Our central aim was to evaluate which species were more appropriate for use in initial stages of revegetation. Additionally, in separate field experiments, we tested statistical hypotheses that higher survival and growth performance would be found for seedlings: (a) taller in height, (b) subjected to shorter duration of flooding, and (c) planted with addition of organic matter inside the planting holes. Results were analyzed after 3 years of planting. “Planting in mounds”, and a consequent reduction on the flooding period plants are exposed to, increased survival and growth. The use of taller seedlings often increased survival, and organic matter addition increased growth. Three (Myrsine rubra, Tabebuia cassinoides, and Calyptranthes brasiliensis) out of nine species tested showed high growth- and use-viability indices, and were therefore indicated for use in revegetation programs. Interspecific variation as regards responses to the treatments applied suggests that in the future, species evaluated for this purpose, should be examined on a case-by-case basis.

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Acknowledgments

We thank V. Dalmaso, R. Mangolin, G. Schittini and B. Richers for field assistance, and two anonymous reviewers for their valuable comments; Brazilian Research Council (CNPq) and Rio de Janeiro Research Agency (FAPERJ) for productivity grants to FRS; Fundação Parques e Jardins, Secretaria Municipal de Meio Ambiente, Prefeitura da Cidade do Rio de Janeiro for funding and logistic support.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departamento de Biologia Geral, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Instituto de Biologia, Outeiro de São João Batista, s/n, Centro, Caixa-Postal 100436, Niterói, RJ, CEP 24020-971, Brazil

    Luiz Roberto Zamith

  2. Departamento de Ecologia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, CCS, IB, Caixa Postal 68020, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, CEP 21941-970, Brazil

    Fabio Rubio Scarano

  3. Conservação Internacional, Rua Barão de Oliveira Castro 29, Jardim Botânico, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, CEP 22460-280, Brazil

    Fabio Rubio Scarano

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  1. Luiz Roberto Zamith
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  2. Fabio Rubio Scarano
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Correspondence to Luiz Roberto Zamith.

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Zamith, L.R., Scarano, F.R. Restoration of a coastal swamp forest in southeast Brazil. Wetlands Ecol Manage 18, 435–448 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11273-010-9177-z

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