Restauração ecológica por semeadura direta: da seleção de espécies aos traços funcionais

Abstract

Direct seeding stands out as a promising alternative for ecological restoration; however, its success is limited to a reduced number of species. This research highlights the importance of species selection and proposes the use of functional traits to improve this choice. Through a systematic literature review and quantitative synthesis, we analyzed the geographic and taxonomic distribution of native Atlantic Forest species used in direct seeding studies, as well as performance profiles based on recruitment metrics. Most studies are concentrated in the Southeast region, with Fabaceae as the most frequent family. Distinct performance patterns were identified, including groups of species that combine easy recruitment and post-emergence persistence. In the assessment of functional traits as potential predictors of field establishment performance, we used 249 performance records distributed across 29 species and five functional traits (mean seed mass, seed shape ratio, dormancy type, leaf phenology type, and wood density), analyzed using Generalized Linear Mixed Models (GLMM). Two traits were statistically significant for both emergence and survival: mean seed mass and dormancy type. Although seed mass is considered a useful indicator for initial species screening in direct seeding projects, the final decision should be based on a broader set of functional traits.