ESTUDO DA CONTAMINAÇÃO BIOLÓGICA POR Pinus spp. EM TRÊS DIFERENTES ÁREAS NA ESTAÇÃO ECOLÓGICA DE ITIRAPINA (SP, BRASIL)

Abstract

The Itirapina Ecological Station, protecting the Cerrado in its different physiognomical types, is suffering the continuous pressure of Pinus invasion (dissemination) coming from its neighbor area, the Experimental Station. The objective of this paper was to analyze the process of this biological invasion forward to quantify the following factors: which species is the most aggressive; which are the possible sites responsible for this dissemination and which areas are the most affected by the invasion. This evaluation intends to support a strategy for management in order to minimize the impact of this Pinus spp. contamination process. It was identified that Pinus elliottii is the most invasive species of all and that the main source of this invasion is located into the Experimental Station. It is concluded that the wet areas of the Ecological Station are the most affected sites, still having the Pinus elliottii as the species with the highest population density. The results suggest the need for a biological barrier between both Stations, looking to minimize the seed dissemination from the closest forest blocks, besides the mechanical cutting of the trees already installed in this restricted protection Conservation Unit.