This study aimed to characterize the soil seed bank under secondary vegetation in an area degraded by kaolin mining in Brás Pires, MG, Brazil. Forty soil samples of 0.5 x 0.5 m were collected to the depth of 5.0 cm. The soil samples were maintained in nursery for four months, half in shading of 11.5% (light), and half in shading of 60% (shade). Seed germination was compared under the two shade conditions (11.5% and 60%), utilizing the t test for independent samples. Thirty-six species belonging to 17 botanical families were sampled. The families with the largest number of species were Asteraceae with 9, Rubiaceae with 5, and Poaceae with 4. Most of the species sampled (66.7%) were herbaceous. The most abundant species were the herbaceous Urochloa decumbens (Stapf) R.D. Webster, Cenchrus sp. and Eragrostis sp., and the shrub Leandra niangaeformis Cogn. Among the tree species, Luehea grandiflora Mart. and Trema micranta (L.) Blume presented the largest number of individuals. The largest density of the herbs originating from the disturbed surrounding areas indicates a low resilience of the vegetation in the degraded area, in case a severe disturbance occurs.
Soil seed bank; restoration of degraded areas; ecological restoration indicators
