FIGUEIREDO, Juliana Matos.; ARAÚJO, Joab Medeiros.; BAKKE, Olaf Andreas.
Resumen:
The semi-arid region in northeastern Brazil presents serious problems of environmental degradation,
specially as a result of human activity and inadequate management of the Caatinga. The processes of
degraded areas recovery have the objective to maximize environmental resilience. These processes may be
accelerated by the re-introduction of pioneer tree species. The objective of this study was to evaluate the
initial growth of three native tree species (Caesalpinia pyramidalis, Mimosa tenuiflora and Cnidoscolus
phyllacanthus in degraded Caatinga sites. Experimental design was randomized block design, with three
treatments (species) and five replication (blocks). Five months after planting, seedling survival was similar
(P>5%) for all species (>93%). Mimosa tenuiflora showed higher length and basal diameter growth (P<1%),
averaging 224.2 cm/plant and 25.8 mm/plant, respectively. Cnidoscolus phyllacanthus was intermediary,
averaging 69.4 cm/plant and 16.5 mm/plant, respectively for plant length and basal diameter. Caesalpinia
pyramidalis tended to grow less, although statistically similar (P>5%) to C. phyllacanthus, averaging 54.0
cm/plant and 811 mm/plant, respectively. Mimosa tenuiflora and C. phyllacanthus planting in degraded areas
is recommedned, and shows the perspective of re-establish soil tree cover and re-insert degraded areas into
the productive system.
