Explorando A Dinâmica Dos Bancos De Sementes Do Solo E Da Serrapilheira Em Ambientes Florestais Do Brejo Paraibano

Abstract

Natural regeneration is a fundamental process for the recovery of degraded forest ecosystems. The open ombrophilous forest in the Brejo Paraibano, located in Paraíba, Brazil, is an example of an environment impacted by fragmentation and agricultural use, requiring effective management strategies for its recovery. Soil and litter seed banks act as reservoirs of plant species, essential for regeneration and biodiversity conservation. This study aims to compare the effectiveness of different substrates (soil, litter, and a mixture of both) in the germination of native species, identifying the best strategy for regenerating degraded areas. Ten plots were selected and distributed linearly within the forest fragment, where soil and litter samples were collected in 1x1 meter quadrants. The samples were organized into three treatments: litter seed bank (BS-SRP), soil seed bank (BS-SOLO), and mixed seed bank (BS-MIX). Each treatment consisted of 10 trays measuring 45.5 x 28 x 7.7 cm, with a capacity of 7.5 liters, maintained under full irrigation in a greenhouse and monitored weekly for six months. The results indicated that BS-SOLO had a higher density of individuals, favoring the germination of pioneer species. BS-SRP showed greater species variability, with a predominance of shrubs and vines. BS-MIX had intermediate results, with greater diversity of botanical families such as Nephrolepidaceae, Verbenaceae, and Caprifoliaceae. Statistical analyses did not reveal significant differences between treatments, suggesting that all substrates have similar capacities for promoting regeneration. It is concluded that the soil is more effective in promoting a higher density of individuals, while litter favors greater species variability. The combination of soil and litter balances these characteristics, proving to be the most promising strategy for regenerating native species. These results highlight the importance of considering both soil and litter composition in management strategies for the recovery of degraded areas.