Natural reforestation of abandoned eucalypt plantations in the Brasilia National Forest

Using data from a census of trees in both native Cerrado and eucalypt plantation areas in the Brasilia National Forest, a discrete event simulation was developed and used to predict the results of fifty-years of natural reforestation. The model predicts long-term equilibrium between eucalypt and native Cerrado species with the eucalypt population dominating. Field observations suggest that eucalypt species are not a threat to the adjacent undisturbed Cerrado areas. It is hypothesized that the native grasses inhibit the successful dispersal and germination of the Eucalyptus´ anemochoric (air-borne) seeds in the Cerrado habitat.