Regeneration response of Brazilian Atlantic Forest woody species to four years of Megathyrsus maximus removal

摘要: Abstract Guinea-grass ( Megathyrsus maximus (Jacq.) B.K. Simon & S.W.L. Jacobs – Poaceae) is an invasive C4 grass that known to slow ecological succession in restoration sites. This study aimed evaluate the responses of woody species and M. itself manual removal a 20-year-old reforestation site. Forty-five 5 × 5-m plots were established 2008 evaluated until 2012. The divided into three treatments: control (CON), for one year (MR1), two years (MR2). All individuals >10 cm sampled. Canopy cover, number seedlings also recorded. After first weeding, manually uprooted every four months, total times MR1 (2008–2009) six MR2 (2008–2010). was stopped, counted allowed grow order assess its reestablishment potential. new decreased drastically after with repeated removals did not differ between treatments at any time, even halted, indicating sufficient displace grass. With exclusion Guinea-grass, increase abundance richness other exotic observed second year. However, canopy cover during likely benefited native impaired exotics. In addition, years, although treatments, pioneer higher both treatments. These findings suggest slows succession. decrease indicate that, absence fire, vegetation will suppress Guinea-grass. Furthermore, from understory early secondary forests reforestations can be used accelerate succession, reducing fire risk failures initiatives.