GERMINATION AND SURVIVAL OF TWO SPECIES OF ACAHUAL OF TROPICAL DRY FOREST TO RESTOR COASTAL DUNES

Abstract

The tropical dry forests provide important resources to local communities. Knowledge of the local perceptions and species use allows the identification of the species most convenient to begin the restoration of the woody cover and diversity of the dunes. Through interviews, 98 species were identified as useful in the coastal region of Actopan, Veracruz. The most common use were firewood, building poles, live fences, coal, edible and medicinal. Gliricidia sepium and Leucaena leucocephala were chosen for germination experiments and establishment of a plantation on coastal dunes. Seedlings were placed under the canopy (shade) and in areas covered by herbaceous vegetation, under sun exposure. Germination of the newly collected seeds of L. leucocephala was 50% under both conditions, but the stored seeds lose viability. The seeds of G. sepium presented 75% of germination in the different treatments, and did not lose viability after eight months of storage. The most beneficial condition for the stablishment of seedlings was shade, with 86% survival of L. leucocephala and 38% for G. sepium. The use of hydrogel helped seedling survival during the dry season and decreased the need to water the plantation.