Forest Restoration After Bauxite Mining: Assessment of Planted tree Species

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to evaluate the seedlings of tree species planted for forest restoration in a bauxite mining. We allocated twenty plots of 9 × 6 m and diameter at ground level, height and canopy diameter of planted seedlings. Also were calculated the mortality percentage and the importance value (VI) species. We recorded 540 alive individuals (22.86% mortality) and 45 species. The species with the highest VIs were Solanum lycocarpum (14.7%) and Schinus terebinthifolius (10.8%). S. terebinthifolius, S. lycocarpum and Joannesia princeps, contributed 30.4% canopy cover. Average height of seedlings planted ranged from 0.4 m to 3.9 m. The species used in the restoration of the mined area provided ecological benefits to the area, such as soil coverage, thus ameliorating erosion and invasion of aggressive exotic grasses.