9th INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON COASTAL AND

PORT ENGINEERING IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES

PIANC - COPEDEC IX, 2016, RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL

COASTAL SHRUBLAND RESTORATION,

A MANAGEMENT EXPERIENCE

Daniel Ferreira do Nascimento1, Carolina Brandl2 and João Antônio Teixeira dos Santos 3

Abstract: This paper seeks to present technical and management solutions related to planting of coastal
shrubland (known as restinga) arising from commitments taken by Prumo Logística S.A. as
compensatory measures related to environmental licensing of the Açu Port Industrial Complex. The
technical solution of the forest restoration process started with profound surveying of restinga species
and areas and by the acquisition and creation of RPPN (which in English means Particular Reserve of
Natural Heritage) Fazenda Caruara, a private conservation unit. These guidelines were used to
consolidate the unit’s forest restoration maps, specific techniques for each type of beach ridge (berm
ridges and swales), and the list of 70 native restinga species to be produced in the institutional plant
nursery. The chosen planting methodology involved hexagonal rings (31 seedlings per ring), in different
arrangements. Planting started in November 2011 and more than 750,000 seedlings have been planted
on 693.6 hectares of the RPPN. Overall, restoration efforts at the RPPN have been very important to
expand technical-scientific knowledge on restoration of restinga coastal forests and remaining forest
fragments in Northern Rio de Janeiro State.
Keywords: forest recovery, coastal forests.

1. INTRODUCTION
The Brazilian coastline has about 9,000 km in length and five physiographic regions that are defined
chiefly by geological, oceanographic and climate elements (SILVEIRA, 1964).
The formation of the sandy coastal plains in Southeastern Brazil is the result of the joint action of several
factors such as: sand sources, littoral drift currents, variations in sea level and sediment retention traps
(SUGUIO and TESSLER, 1984). Beach ridges parallel to the sea line, originated from ocean level
variation, were colonized by diverse plant communities. Local environmental factors, such as
topography, proximity to the sea, soil conditions and depth of water tables, influenced the formation of
coastal plant communities known as Restingas.
Human occupation on the coastal lines of Southeastern Brazil dates back 8,000 years, according to
traces of ancient civilizations found in the Duna Pequena and Camboinhas beaches in Itaipu, Rio de
Janeiro State (CUNHA and LIMA, 1992). These lands have been intensely used since the beginning of
the colonial period. Construction of large enterprises and different exploration cycles and practices
(timber, sugarcane, livestock and real estate) on coastal forests over time have intensified the loss of
this ecosystem to worrisome levels.
According to Lamego (1946), in few Brazilian cities and no other one in Rio de Janeiro State the restinga
is as important as a geographic element as in São João da Barra, which has a huge area covered by
sandy plains. Rio de Janeiro State has 1,194.3 km² with occurrence of restinga vegetation and, out of
these, 552 km² (46%) are located in the city of São João da Barra (ARAÚJO and MACIEL, 1998). Thus,
these plant formations are now extremely important for the preservation of Brazilian vegetation. In that
sense, practices and development of technical-scientific knowledge that contribute to the preservation
of these forests are vital.
The expansion, modernization and construction of new port terminals in Brazil demands integrated
management of forest restoration projects, enabling sustainable development and conservation of local

1 Forest Engineer at Prumo Logística S.A. E-mail: daniel.nascimento@prumologistica.com.br.

2 Environmental Analyst at Prumo Logística S.A. E-mail: carolina.brandl@prumologistica.com.br.
3 Environmental Analyst at Prumo Logística S.A. E-mail: joao.teixeira@prumologistica.com.br.

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 9th INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON COASTAL AND
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PIANC - COPEDEC IX, 2016, RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL

biodiversity. Therefore, one of the biggest challenges faced by port managers nowadays is the
harmonization of port activities with social and environmental quality in coastal regions.
According to ANTAQ Resolution Nº 2,969, Brazil currently has 235 public and private port terminals.
Among these, 27 are located in Rio de Janeiro State, where the largest port terminal in Latin America is
being implemented: the Açu Port. Located on 90 km² in São João da Barra, the port created huge
demand for restoration actions focused on the restinga ecosystem. The scale of its forest restoration
efforts means that this port became a milestone in the preservation and conservation of the restinga
ecosystem.
This paper aims to present the actions to restore restinga shrubland in areas nearby Açu Port, in
Northern Rio de Janeiro State, in order to disclose management practices and techniques developed
that might be replicated in the Brazilian coast. Recovery of part of the coastal forests is an effort to
reverse the impact of human actions on the most threatened ecosystem of the Atlantic forest biome.

2. METHODOLOGY
Compensatory measures required by environmental licenses for different enterprises of Prumo Logística
in the Açu region were decisive for the integration of forest restoration projects. The lack of consolidated
restoration techniques, high intervention costs and lack of information related to restinga species
required the development of proprietary planting models (see TIEPPO, 2011) and the creation of the
only large-scale nursery in the country dedicated to restinga species, with an annual production capacity
of 500,000 seedlings. Planting areas were grouped in two large tracts acquired by the company and
subsequently turned into a private conservation unit, RPPN Fazenda Caruara (Figure 1).

Figure 1. Location Map of RPPN Fazenda Caruara, São João da Barra/RJ.

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 9th INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON COASTAL AND
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PIANC - COPEDEC IX, 2016, RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL

The site of the nursery (Figure 2) was strategically chosen, in order to incorporate it to environmental
education programs that are being developed at the Açu Port Industrial Complex. Furthermore, local
residents were prioritized as workers of the nursery, adding value to the project.

Figure 2. Location Map of the Institutional Nursery, São João da Barra/RJ.

Planting followed ecological concepts that seek to respect standards of the physiognomy of the restinga
plant typologies for species selection and planting sites. First, phyto-physiognomies of Fazenda Caruara
were mapped, and different phyto-physiognomic aspects subsidized the classification of areas
according to their aptitude for restoration (Figure 3). A broad assessment thus became possible,
enabling the distribution of different forest restoration techniques within each area and with different
intensities. The flowchart on Figure 4 provides a summary of interventions executed in the restinga
restoration project.
Two models of planting were then proposed, one for berm ridges and another for swales (Figure 5).
Selection of species respected the edaphic preferences of species, species of interest to local birds,
species of conservation interest and key species in ecological succession. Planting areas are mapped
and monitored through a Geographic Information System (SIG) and all actions are planned on the
assumption of 1 hectare as a control unit. In each hectare, 1,116 seedlings are planted, distributed in
36 hexagonal rings, with 31 seedlings per ring.

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PIANC - COPEDEC IX, 2016, RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL

Figure 3. Maps of plant phyto-physiognomies and different aptitudes for forest restoration.

Planting is executed by setting spaces of 20 x 22 meters between hexagonal rings and 1.5 meters
between seedlings, following the 31-seedling scheme presented in Figure 5. For berm ridges,
distribution of ecological groups was decided as follows: 18 pioneers, 6 initial secondary, 5 late
secondary and 2 climaxes. For swales, rings were fulfilled with 24 pioneers and 7 non-pioneers. Plant
beds have 30 cm x 30 cm in length and 30 cm in depth. Given that the restinga soil is quite sandy,
with high ratios of nutrient lixiviation and low humidity, planting deployed hydro conditioner (hydrogel
– 1 liter/bed) on berm ridges, chemical fertilizer (super phosphate – 100gr./bed) and organic fertilizer
(crushed sugarcane and bio char – 3 liters/bed).

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 9th INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON COASTAL AND
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PIANC - COPEDEC IX, 2016, RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL

Figure 4. Flowchart of interventions in the restinga restoration project.

Figure 5. Models of hexagonal arrangements used for planting, where (a) hexagonal
arrangement for berm ridges; and (b) hexagonal arrangement for swales.

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 9th INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON COASTAL AND
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PIANC - COPEDEC IX, 2016, RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL

Finally, after defining the area and methodology for planting, we decided to execute all compensatory
planting directly, i.e., not hiring a provider of forest services. To ensure better management and lower
risk, the contract to execute planting had to be split in three parts: labor and equipment, planting
management and direct procurement of input. This type of direct execution ensured internalization of all
knowledge generated by the work, in addition to considerably reducing restoration costs.

3. DISCUSSION AND RESULTS

The integrated project for restinga restoration started in November 2011 and so far has involved 150
local residents who brought with them historical knowledge of Northern Rio de Janeiro State, a
knowledge that was vital to execute the work. Forest restoration activities are currently staffed by 40
local residents who produce seedlings and maintain plants (weeding, clearing). Until now, Açu Port has
planted more than 750,000 native seedlings on the RPPN, on 693.6 hectares (average of 138.6
ha/year), which are regularly kept. All seedlings were produced in the Institutional Nursery, which has
produced more than 1.3 million seedlings since it was set up at Açu Port in 2012.
As seen in Table 1, the nursery now produces 70 (seventy) native restinga species, and 5 (five) of these
are listed on some category of the National List of Endangered Plants (BRASIL, 2014).

Family/ Species Common name E.G. S.C. C.S.

Anacardiaceae
Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi aroeira PI S, B -
Tapirira guianensis Aubl. micume PI S -
Anonnacaea
Annona glabra L. mololo ES B -
Arecaceae
Allagoptera arenaria (Gomes) Kuntze coco-gurirí ES S -
Bactris setosa Mart. coco-tucum LS B -
Boraginaceae
Cordia taguahyensis Vell. muchila PI B -
Burseraceae
Protium heptaphyllum (Aubl.) Marchand almescla PI S -
Cactaceae
Melocactus violaceus Pfeiff. cabeça-de-gato LS S VU
Calophyllaceae
Calophyllum brasiliense Cambess. guanandi PI B -
Capparaceae
Cynophalla flexuosa (L.) J.Presl juramento ES S -
Celastraceae
Maytenus obtusifolia Mart. papagaio LS S, B -
Chrysobalanaceae
Chrysobalanus icaco L. abajurú LS S -
Clusiaceae
Clusia hilariana Schltdl. abaneiro PI S -
Garcinia brasiliensis Mart. bacupari ES S, B -
Convolvulaceae
Ipomoea imperati (Vahl) Griseb. ipomea PI S -
Ipomoea pes-caprae (L.) R.Br. Ipomea roxa PI S -
Ebenaceae

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 9th INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON COASTAL AND
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PIANC - COPEDEC IX, 2016, RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL

Family/ Species Common name E.G. S.C. C.S.

Diospyros inconstans Jacq. fruta-cor LS S, B -
Erythroxylaceae
Erythroxylum ovalifolium Peyr. arco-de-pipa LS S -
Euphorbiaceae
Sapium glandulosum (L.) Morong burra-leiteira PI B -
Fabaceae
Andira fraxinifolia Benth. angelim ES S, B -
Canavalia rosea (Sw.) DC. feijão-de-porco PI S -
Chloroleucon tortum (Mart.) Pittier jacaré LS S, B -
Inga vera Willd. ingá PI S -
Inga maritima Benth. ingá-mirim I ES S, B VU
Inga laurina (Sw.) Willd. ingá-mirim II ES S -
Zollernia glabra (Spreng.) Yakovlev Mocitaíba ES S -
Lauraceae
Ocotea cf. elegans Mez canela-preta ES S -
Malpighiaceae
Byrsonima sericea DC. Murici PI S -
Malvaceae
Pseudobombax grandiflorum (Cav.) A.Robyns Paina ES S -
Melastomataceae
Miconia cinnamomifolia (DC.) Naudin canela-veado PI S -
Tibouchina clavata (Pers.) Wurdack flor-roxa PI S, B -
Moraceae
Ficus organensis (Miq.) Miq. figueira-branca PI S, B -
Ficus tomentella (Miq.) Miq. figueira-vermelha PI S, B -
Myrsinaceae
Maclura tinctoria (L.) Don Ex Steud. Amarelo ES B -
Myrsine parvifolia A.DC. capororoquinha LS S -
Myrsine rubra M.F.Freitas & Kin.-Gouv. capororoca-do-brejo PI B -
Myrsine umbellata Mart. capororoca-folha-larga PI S -
Myrtaceae
Calyptranthes brasiliensis Spreng. joão-branco PI S -
Campomanesia schlechtendaliana (O.Berg)
Gabiroba PI S -
Nied.
Eugenia astringens Cambess. aperta-cú, apertão ES S -
Eugenia dichroma O.Berg pitanga-lagarto 2 PI S -
Eugenia pluriflora DC. folha-miúda ES S, B -
Eugenia pruniformis Cambess. Azeitona PI S -
Eugenia punicifolia (Kunth) DC. cambucazinho LS S -
Eugenia selloi B.D.Jacks. pitanga-lagarto 1 LS S -
Eugenia uniflora L. Pitanga ES S -
Myrciaria floribunda (West ex Willd.) O.Berg Pastora LS S -
Myrciaria tenella (DC.) O.Berg Camboinha LS S -
Neomitranthes obscura (DC.) N.Silveira Cambucá ES S -
Psidium cattleianum Sabine araçá-casca-grossa LS S -

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PIANC - COPEDEC IX, 2016, RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL

Family/ Species Common name E.G. S.C. C.S.

Psidium guineense Sw. araçá-pedra LS S -
Nyctaginaceae
Guapira pernambucensis (Casar.) Lundell maria-mole LS S -
Peraceae
Pera glabrata (Schott) Poepp. ex Baill. Calombo ES S, B -
Polygonaceae
Coccoloba alnifolia Casar. Bolo ES S -
Primulaceae
Jacquinia armillaris Jacq. pimenta-da-praia LS S -
Rhamnaceae
Condalia buxifolia Reissek Quixaba ES S EN
Scutia arenicola (Casar.) Reissek Quixabinha PI S EN
Ziziphus joazeiro Mart. Juá PI S -
Rubiaceae
Melanopsidium nigrum Colla pau-ferro PI S VU
Tocoyena bullata (Vell.) Mart. genipabinho LS S -
Tocoyena sellowiana (Cham. & Schltdl.)
genipabinho-do-brejo LS S, B -
K.Schum
Sapindaceae
Allophylus puberulus Radlk. fruto-do-café LS S -
Cupania emarginata Cambess. fruta-de-guaxo LS S -
Paullinia weinmanniifolia Mart. cipó-sangue ES S -
Sapotaceae
Manilkara subsericea (Mart.) Dubard massaranduba LS S, B -
Pouteria psammophila (Mart.) Radlk. Aguapeba LS S, B -
Sideroxylon obtusifolium (Roem. & Schult.)
quixaba-de-porco LS S -
T.D.Penn.
Solanaceae
Cestrum axillare Vell. Cinema PI -
Urticaceae
Cecropia pachystachya Trécul Embaúba ES B -
Vochysiaceae
Qualea chryptantha (Spreng.) Warm. Qualea LS S -
Table 1. List of native species produced in the Institutional Nursery in São João da Barra, Rio
de Janeiro, Brazil. Were, E.G.: Ecologic group, pioneer (PI), early secondary (ES) and late
secondary (LS); S.C.: Sandy cord, berm ridges (B) and swales (S); and C.S.: Conservation
status, vulnerable (VU) and endangered (EN).

One of the biggest challenges that the project already managed to overcome involved the selection and
acquisition of land to meet the large demand for forestry compensation generated by the implementation
of Açu Port. The solution to this problem became the largest environmental legacy of the enterprise to
the region: the creation of RPPN Fazenda Caruara. With 3,844.73 hectares, this RPPN is now Brazil’s
largest private nature reserve dedicated to the restinga ecosystem. Photographs on Figure 6 provide a
panoramic view of RPPN Fazenda Caruara and the Institutional Nursery.
Interpretation of physiognomic patterns of restinga plant typologies for selecting the best species and
sites for restoration enabled adaptation of the techniques deployed to the challenging reality of plant
restoration under such adverse soil and climate conditions. However, results have been satisfactory and

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PIANC - COPEDEC IX, 2016, RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL

recognized by the academic-scientific community and government agencies, such as the State
Environment Institute (INEA), which has been monitoring the compensatory planting efforts in order to
establish over time the parameters for restoration of the restinga ecosystem in Rio de Janeiro State.
The integrated reforestation project of RPPN Fazenda Caruara has strengthened partnerships with
academic entities, such as the Rio de Janeiro Botanical Garden (JBRJ), Universidade Estadual do Norte
Fluminense (UENF) and Instituto Federal Fluminense (IFF), becoming a subject of several
undergraduate and graduate research papers in different fields. Currently, the RPPN is the target of
more than 15 research themes and is regularly visited by students and professors for practical lessons
at reforestation areas.
In 2013, the set of conservation and preservation actions developed at the RPPN received international
recognition with the Chico Mendes Social-Environmental International Award, under the Social-
Environmental Case category. The project received other relevant social-environmental awards, such
as the FIRJAN Award of Environmental Action, under the Biodiversity category, and the Benchmarking
Brazil Award.

(a) (b)

Figure 6. Panoramic photographs of RPPN Fazenda Caruara (a) and the Seedling Nursery (b).

Aerial photographs 7a and 7b show that restinga formations at RPPN Fazenda Caruara are remains of
coastal forests on the extreme North of Rio de Janeiro State that lasted all cycles of soil utilization
implemented in the São João da Barra region.

(a) (b)

Figure 7. Aerial photographs of Iquipari Lagoon, located in RPPN Fazenda Caruara. (a) Açu Port,
2015 and (b) Aerial photograph KAFURI apud LAMEGO, 1946.

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PIANC - COPEDEC IX, 2016, RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL

4. CONCLUSION
The experience being developed at Açu Port, specifically at RPPN Fazenda Caruara, is a great legacy
which is not limited to the local population, since all knowledge and techniques developed within the
framework of the project might be replicated to other areas of the Brazilian coast.
The disclosure of environmental actions of Açu Port regarding restinga planting efforts and management
of restinga species techniques are vital tools for the sustainable development of human activities,
particularly port activities, in coastal areas of Brazil.

5. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I thank the entire Sustainability team of Prumo Logística S.A for their encouragement and commitment
to the work in progress. I thank the consultant Paulo Roberto do Canto Farag for his assistance in
consolidating this paper.

6. REFERENCES
AGÊNCIA NACIONAL DE TRANSPORTES AQUAVIÁRIOS - ANTAQ (2013). Define a classificação
dos portos públicos, terminais de uso privado e estações de transbordo de cargas em
marítimos, fluviais e lacustres. Resolução nº 2.969 de 04 julho de 2013.
ARAUJO, D.S.D. AND MACIEL, N.C. (1998). Restingas fluminenses: biodiversidade e preservação.
Boletim da Fundação Brasileira para Conservação da Natureza 25: 27-51.
BRASIL. MINISTÉRIO DO MEIO AMBIENTE – MMA (2014). Reconhecer como espécies da flora
brasileira ameaçadas de extinção aquelas constantes da “Lista Nacional Oficial de Espécies da Flora
Ameaçada de Extinção”. Portaria Nº 443, de 17 de dezembro de 2014. Disponível em:
<http://www.ibama.gov.br/documentos/lista-de-especies-ameacadas-de-extincao>. Acesso em: 05 de
maio de 2016.
CUNHA, M.W. AND LIMA H. C. (1992). Viagem à Terra do Pau-Brasil, Rio de Janeiro: Agência
Brasileira de Cultura, 64p.
LAMEGO, A.R. (1946). O homem e a restinga. Serviço Gráfico do I.B.G.E., Rio de Janeiro, 364 p.
SILVEIRA, J. D. (1964). Morfologia do litoral. In: Azevedo, A. (ed.), Brasil: a terra e o homem. Vol. 1.
São Paulo. Cia. Editora Nacional. p. 253-305.
SUGUIO, K. AND TESSLER, M. G. (1984). Planícies de cordões litorâneos do Brasil: origem e
nomenclatura. In: Lacerda, L. D. de et al. (orgs.). Restingas: origem estruturas e processos. Niterói,
CEUFF. p. 195-216.
TIEPPO, F. M. M. (2011). Manejo florestal em restingas da Mata Atlântica: uma proposta para a
recuperação ambiental deste ecossistema. Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro/UNEP (Instituto
Brasil PNUMA), Rio de Janeiro, 75 p.
ZAMITH, L. R., AND SCARANO, F. R. (2006). Restoration of a Restinga Sandy Coastal Plain in
Brazil: Survival and Growth of Planted Woody Species. Restoration Ecology, 14(1), 87–94.

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