Quanto custa restaurar a caatinga? uma análise de custo-benefício de métodos de restauração ecológica

Abstract

Ecological restoration process is a key activity for recovering degraded ecosystems. Several restoration methods have been applied depending on the biome to be restored, its state actual degradation and the resources available. Most studies on restoration focu on the efficiency of environmental recovery with few or no emphasis on the cost-benefit of the entire process. Some methods have produced unfeasible results due to the low benefit produced, such as low growth of plants and due to the high expenses involved. Among the most benefiting methods, there is not enough knowledge available on their cost for implementing and monitoring, given that economic costs are not evaluated in relation to the efficiency of the restoration. Here we aimed to evaluate the cost-benefit of 20 methods for ecological restoration. Methods were formed by combining five plantation techniques [using (1) water, (2) litter on soil, (3) water and litter, (4) agroforestry and (5) the control, with four treatments of sedlings shape. The average height of the plants after one year was used as benefit in the cost-benefit analysis. The economic cost of the methods ranged from USD 6.36 to USD 27.55 per plant. The lowest cost was registered in the control treatment using small seedlings (i.e. short root and small biomass aboveground). However, large seedlings (longer root and large biomass aboveground) in the control were the best option and was less cost-effective method, given that the costs to produce the seedlings were compensated by the higher final height of the survivor individuals. Therefore, seedlings with longer root and large biomass aboveground have less cost-benefit and are recommended to successfully restore of Caatinga areas without the use of irrigation system and /or litter addition.