Natural Regeneration of Plant Species in Revegetated Mining Areas

ABSTRACT Mining activities causes severe environmental degradation. In light of the activity impacts, the legislation determine the development and implementation of Recovery of Degraded Areas Plans (PRDA) as a measure to restore the degraded environment. This study aimed to evaluate the mining areas rehabilitated by planting Eucalyptus sp. or native species, using parameters such as composition, implanted floristic diversity and conditions of natural regeneration. We identified 41 species in 39 genera and 22 families, and noted 16 new regenerating species in the whole area. The floristic survey revealed lower diversity in the area with Eucalyptus sp. than in the area revegetated with native species Thus, the use of native species in degraded land recovery was more appropriate due to the floristic diversity.