This study surveyed the present riparian forest along a segment of the São Bartolomeu watershed, Viçosa, MG, and estimated the area that should be planted with native species, using a simple and effective method for measuring small drainage systems. The segment studied showed that only 5.7% of the legally required riparian forest exists, represented by nine forest fragments in different stages of ecological succession for a total area of 3.46 hectares. In order to revegetate completely the riparian study area, a model plantation based on a species combination of different ecological groups is proposed. The area to be revegetated in order to obey current legislation is 57.24 hectares, meaning that about 82,830 seedlings of native species will need to be planted.
Riparian forest; watershed hydrology; rain forest zone
