Growing parameters to evaluate a forest implanted on a coastal plain degraded by sand mining

Abstract

The area of a recovering old sand mining site, in the city of São Vicente, SP, Brazil, was studied between June 2006 and June 2007. Data on local floristics and development of the trees (introduced at 1997) using total height, ground-height perimeter, stem height, bifurcation numbers and canopy prominence as parameters were collected. We found 104 organisms from to 3 familys, Myrtaceae (2 species) Fabaceae (1 species) e Clusiaceae (1 species). All organisms studied showed reduced development when compared to plants from other sites. Total height and ground-height perimeter (PAS) were the most consistent parameters showing organisms growth. Actions are suggested to accelerate succession in the recovering process.