Direct seeding is a promising and low-cost restoration technique. To avoid wasting seeds, the selection of species with high field performance in their establishment can increase efficiency. We aimed to identify groups of forest species with the ability for direct seeding in a seasonal forest, investigate taxonomic similarity effects on species behavior regarding seeds’ and seedlings’ early functional traits, and classify species based on their probability of success by direct seeding. A planting system of 38 seasonal forest species was implemented at a density of 250,000 seeds ha⁻¹. The emergence was monitored over 720 days, and all individuals were identified, tagged, counted, and measured for height (H) and diameter at collar height (DCH). We evaluated early traits of seed vigor (field seed emergence), seedling performance, probability of success, and species autoecology. Species’ ability for direct seeding was more related to the level of species phylogeny than to their family. Pioneer and non-pioneer species demonstrated similar abilities for direct seeding associated with field emergence, seedling abundance, and persistence. Field seed emergence traits influenced species’ ability for direct seeding more than seedling survival or growth. Species’ ability for direct seeding was related to early seed vigor traits expressed by field seed emergence and was independent of their density.

Tendo em vista a crescente necessidade de novos modelos para restauraçãoflorestal, o presente estudo teve o objetivo de avaliar se alta diversidade deespécies vegetais, funções e densidade em restauração florestal resultaramna recuperação da estabilidade do sistema, e quais as condições ouprocessos que afetaram o restabelecimento da funcionalidade ecológica nossistemas avaliados. Para isso, um protocolo de indicadores de restauraçãofoi aplicado em uma área de referência e em três áreas de restauração,em floresta estacional semidecidual, uma delas no modelo denso-diversofuncional(3 mudas por m2), com 53 meses de idade; e duas no modelo depreenchimento e diversidade (espaçamento 3 × 2 m), com 35 e 60 mesesde idade. Os resultados indicam que o modelo denso-diverso-funcionalé eficiente na restauração da funcionalidade ecológica já aos 53 meses edifere do sistema preenchimento e diversidade em relação às condiçõesnecessárias para promover a proteção do solo e o aporte de serapilheira.

This paper records the first report of Megastigmus transvaalensis Hussey (Hymenoptera: Torymidae) in Brazilian peppertree, Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi (Anacardiaceae) drupes in Sorocaba, state of São Paulo, Brazil. This wasp is an invasive species and was found damaging S. terebinthifolius drupes in urban areas (35.0±15.8%), natural forests (21.5±10.2%) and restoration areas (15.8±8.4%). The bio-ecology and damage caused by M. transvaalensis in the S. terebinthifoliusdrupes warrants further study focused upon the management of this phytophagous wasp. Megastigmus transvaalensis has a potential to be disseminated throughout Brazil and is posing a threat to the natural regeneration of S. terebinthifolius in the native forests and restoration areas and ecological regions of this country.

This work aimed to evaluate the impacts caused by extreme frost events in an ecological restoration area. We grouped the species in three ways: (1) type of trichome coverage; (2) shape of the seedling crown; and (3) functional groups according to the degree of damage caused by frost. The variables of the restored area and species characteristics were selected to be subjected to linear generalization analysis models (GLMs). A total of 104 individuals from seven species were sampled. The most affected species were Guazuma ulmifolia Lam. (98% of leaves affected), followed by Cecropia pachystachia Trécul and Hymenea courbaril L. (both 97%), Inga vera Willd. (84%), and Senegalia polyphylla (DC.) Britton & Rose with 75%. Tapirira guianensis Aubl. was considered an intermediate species, with 62% of the crown affected. Only Solanum granulosoleprosum Dunal was classified as slightly affected, with only 1.5% of leaves affected. With the GLM analysis, it was verified that the interaction between the variables of leaf thickness (Χ² = 37.1, df = 1, p < 0.001), trichome coverage (Χ² = 650.5, df = 2, p < 0.001), and leaf structure culture (Χ² = 54.0, df = 2, p < 0.001) resulted in a model with high predictive power (AIC = 927,244, BIC = 940,735, Χ² = 6947, R² = 0.74, p < 0.001). Frost-affected crown cover was best explained by the interaction between the three functional attributes (74%). We found that there is a tendency for thicker leaves completely covered in trichomes to be less affected by the impact of frost and that the coverage of the affected crown was greatly influenced by the coverage of trichomes. Seedlings with leaves completely covered in trichomes, thicker leaves, and a funneled or more open crown structure are those that are most likely to resist frost events. The success of ecological restoration in areas susceptible to extreme events such as frost can be predicted based on the functional attributes of the chosen species. This can contribute to a better selection of species to be used to restore degraded areas.