Influence of meteorological variables on the initial growth of seedlings of native forest species in vegetation restoration plantings

The importance of forest restoration plantations to restore ecosystems and neutralize greenhouse gases is increasing, especially as a way to combat climate change. Research related to the growth of forest species and the influence of the environment should be considered to determine their potential in neutralizing carbon dioxide. Thus, the objective was to evaluate the growth in diameter at ground level and height of six forest species throughout the first year after planting according to meteorological variables. The experiment was conducted in the Carbon Zero Forest, part of the Open Space for Events on the main campus of the Federal University of Vicosa (UFV), Minas Gerais, Brazil. Planting of the 324 seedlings was conducted in December 2019, with 2.0 m x 2.0 m spacing, in a randomized block design. The meteorological characteristics for the year 2020 were obtained through the bulletins of the institution's own automatic station. The current increment in height and diameter was calculated for three-month intervals, per species. The data were subjected to Spearman's non-parametric correlation test. The significant correlations between increments in diameter at ground height and height with climatic variables were weak or moderate. In general, precipitation and maximum absolute temperature positively affected the current increment in height, while global radiation affected them negatively. Precipitation, average temperature and absolute minimum temperature negatively affected the current increment in diameter. The results obtained can help in the elaboration of strategies that promote the restoration of areas according to the adaptability of the species to adverse conditions, aside from potentiating the neutralization of atmospheric carbon dioxide.