Leaf litter as an Indicator of Forest Restoration

To restore forests in areas degraded by mining activities the method of planting seedlings of native tree species and inducing natural regeneration by returning the topsoil has been used in the eastern Amazon. However it is essential to monitor plant performance and to do this we use a number of indicators that respond effectively to changes in ecosystems. Leaf litter is one of these indicators with numerous ecological benefits such as protection against erosion and the supply of nutrients to plants. With this in mind this book aims to help technicians and professionals working in the restoration of degraded ecosystems by demonstrating the importance of litter in ecosystems undergoing initial forest restoration.