Cerrado natural regeneration in understory of Eucalyptus sp. stands, in the Federal District, Brazil

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the natural regeneration of the Cerrado in the understory Eucalyptus sp. stands and investigate environmental factors that may be related to the establishment of the regenerative stratum. Three areas of reforestation of eucalyptus were selected: A1 (reform planting carried out in 2012, with occurrence of superficial fire in 2011), A2 (planting over 12 years old, established by seeding and affected by the occurrence of fire in 2011), and A3 (planting carried out in 2009, without the occurrence of fire); ten plots of 100 m² were marked in each area, and the natural regeneration, basal areas of eucalyptus and physical and chemical properties of the soil were evaluated. Chemical properties were similar for the three areas, where the results of analysis indicate acid and dystrophic soils. Physical properties indicate clay soils without limitations to plant growth. A variation was observed in the density and number of species regenerating between A2 (247 individuals from 28 species) and stands A1 and A3 (40 individuals from 20 species, and 32 individuals from 11 species, respectively), variation that can be explained due to the higher insolation in the understory, related to the lower basal area of Eucalyptus sp.