Tell us more about the proposed solution of the project.How will it work?

We will try to restore the area, respecting the characteristics of the site and the phytophysiognomy of campo sujo/cerrado ralo. We will use fast-closing species, especially native grasses, which will help to reduce soil being carried into the watercourse. We will also establish the principle of promoting manual land preparation to avoid aggravating impacts, such as erosion processes, which already exist in the area.This is a strategy that has the potential to recover the area with low impact and lower costs. The proposal is to restore the native vegetation through nature-based solutions, using direct sowing of native Cerrado species. These will be scattered or prepared in islands to enhance what nature would do under suitable conditions.

Tell us more about the challenge of the project.What is the problem you are trying to solve? Why is the problem significant?

In the past, the site was disorganized for the extraction of sand and gravel. More than 20 years have passed since the area was decommissioned and the impact has increased over time, reaching an area of approximately 10ha. The native vegetation in this area has been completely de-characterized and has little potential for natural regeneration. Today, the soil is completely exposed, with erosion furrows and gullies. In addition to the damage to fauna and flora, the impact affects the watershed of the Feio stream, where water is collected from the municipality of Patrocínio/MG, as sediment is carried into the watercourse, causing silting.

We will try to optimize the process of restoring the area, respecting the characteristics of the site and the phytophysiognomy of campo sujo/cerrado ralo. We will use fast-closing species, especially native grasses, which will help to reduce soil being carried into the watercourse. The land will be prepared manually to avoid aggravating impacts, such as erosion processes, which already exist in the area. This is a strategy that has the potential to recover the area with low impact and lower costs. The proposal is to recompose a 2-hectare area of native vegetation on the edges, looking for nature-based solutions through the direct sowing of native Cerrado species. These will be dispersed by hand or prepared in islands to enhance what nature would do under suitable conditions, seeking to recompose the area from the edges to the center.

What will be the main activities of the project and how will the resources be applied?

The main action to be carried out in the area is direct sowing, on approximately two hectares, using a mix of native seeds defined for the site. These seeds will be sown manually in islands. In addition, biodegradable fiber bags containing soil from native areas will be planted. To carry out the sowing, islands will be chosen within the degraded area that have a lower slope and will be prepared manually beforehand. The funds will be used for labor (R$4,000), tools (R$1,000) and native seeds (R$14,000), for a total of R$20,000.