Regeneration under the Canopies of Native Species in a Restoration Area

Abstract This study aimed at evaluating the potential of Inga vera (Ingá) and Enterolobium contortisiliquum (Timbaúva) as facilitating species and their species-specific interaction on the restoration of a degraded and protected area in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. We surveyed the natural regeneration occurred under the canopies of 50 I. vera and E. contortisiliquum individuals, considering tree and shrub species with heights ≥ 30 cm and collar diameter ≥ 0.3 cm and < 10 cm. We found 756 individuals under I. vera and 166 individuals under E. contortisiliquum. The study revealed that, despite corresponding to 19% of the total species found, the exotic species comprises 43.6% under I. vera and 11% under E. contortisiliquum. The I. vera presented a more significant number of species and individuals under its canopies when compared to E. contortisiliquum and the reference area.