Effect of cutting shrub plants on herbaceous vegetation of Serra do Sudeste, RS, Brazil

Abstract

The vegetation of Serra do Sudeste in the State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, is formed by Subtropical Shrub Forest associated to grassland. Cutting and buming shrub plants have been used by farmers to increase or maintain these available grassland areas for grazing. This paper shows results about herbaceous vegetation changes caused by cutting shrub plants. The cover percentage of all species, mulch and soil, using permanent plots were measured. The soil fertility and the productivity of herbaceous plants were evaluated. It was possible to identify 130 species in cutting areas (CA) from which 31 Gramineae, nine Leguminosae and 90 of various others families. A noticeable floristical similarity among the succession vegetation stage (Sorensen's Index > 60%) of CA was verified. These vegetation stages showed a trend of being more similar to neighborly grazing areas (AP) than to forest herbaceous vegetation (AM). CA showed greater floristical richness and available forage than AM and AP.