Passive regeneration of morichales (Mauritia flexuosa L.f.) in the eastern savannas of Colombia

Abstract

Morichal forests are ecologically, culturally and economically important ecosystems in central and northern South America; however, there is little information on their regeneration. There is no scientific information on the exclusion of livestock on the natural regeneration of Mauritia flexuosa. The present research was initiated in April 2014 in the Colombian Orinoco with the objective of evaluating the effectiveness of livestock exclusion as a passive restoration strategy of a morichal for three years. The morichal area, was divided into two parts: passive restoration area and area without any management (shared with cattle ranching). In April 2017, six sampling plots each of 2000 m² were established (three in each of the two evaluation areas). A total of 330 individuals of different ages were recorded, 235 under passive restoration and 95 in the unmanaged area, aggregated spatial distribution was presented and there were significant differences in density (W = 9, P = 0.049) only in the seedlings. The positive impact of passive restoration was confirmed, finding regeneration activation demonstrated by the highest recruitment of seedlings up to 1 m in height (48 %), while in the area without fencing the largest number of individuals were adults. If the conditions of passive restoration are maintained, the regeneration process that was activated guarantees the survival of the morichal.