Selecting Native Species for Soil and Water Bioengineering Techniques: Alternative to Restore Areas in Brumadinho, MG, Brazil

Abstract

Soil and water bioengineering (SWBE) is a feasible, economical and ecologically friendly alternative to restore the riparian forest areas affected by the Brumadinho mining tailings dam rupture. We evaluated the vegetative propagation capacity by cuttings and initial development of nine native riparian species of the Paraobepa River for use in SWBE techniques. From the results it is possible to separate the species into two distinct groups, namely those that can resprout and produce roots from their cuttings (group 1: Acnistus arborescens (L.) Schltdl., Croton urucurana Baill., Gymnanthes schottiana Müll.Arg., Indigofera suffruticosa Mill. and Sesbania virgata (Cav.) Poir.) and are suitable for use as live cuttings in SWBE techniques; and those which were only able to produce shoots (group 2: Casearia decandra Jacq., Chrysophyllum marginatum (Hook. & Arn.) Radlk., Inga vera Willd. and Schinus terebinthifolia Raddi) and should only be used in seedling form to increase the diversity of the interventions.