Natural regeneration in anthropogenic environments due to agricultural use in the cerrado, Uberaba, MG, Brazil

Abstract

Evidence of environmental impact on the Cerrado is characterised by the presence of large homogeneous pastures and agricultural areas, with the presence of very fragmented and scattered forest fragments. When these areas are abandoned due to low productivity, natural regeneration begins, which is influenced by environmental factors. The goal of the present study was to evaluate the forest cover temporal dynamics in anthropogenic areas and the influence of climate on natural regeneration in the Cerrado. The study site was an anthropogenic area that has been protected against the entrance of domestic animals and agriculture since 2002. Environments were identified, and natural regeneration dynamics were analysed by the use of vegetation indices calculated from satellite images. Statistical analysis Non-parametric Mann-Kendall was used to check the trend of the rain and the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index, multivariate analysis to verify the correlations and groups between the years of occurrence of El Niño and La Niña and the values of Normalized Difference Index. Natural regeneration in the Cerrado increased over time and was positively correlated with rainfall incidence. The process of recovery of degraded areas by natural regeneration technique proved efficient in the Cerrado, however, natural regeneration is negatively influenced by the weather phenomenon El Niño.