The present study aimed to study natural regeneration in an abandoned open-pit coal mining area, 28 years after the mining activities ceased. This research was carried out in Brazil, in the southern part of the State of Santa Catarina, Urussanga county, in Rio Carvão Alto. Three areas with different geomorphologic aspects were selected and for the study of natural regeneration of shrub and tree species, the plots method was used and three height classes were defined. The sampling unit sizes were 1x1, 2x2 e 5x5m, respectively, for class 1 plant size (height between 0.20 and 0.50m), class 2 (height between 0.51 and 1.50m) and class 3 (height > 1.5m and DBH < 5cm). Species regeneration was estimated, as well as the register of some ecological characteristics. A total of 32 species were sampled. Of the surveyed species, 50.0% were anemochoric and 46.8% zoochoric, of these 51.7% were pioneer, 20.7% were early secondary, 17.3% were late secondary and 10.3% climax. Species that presented the best performance in colonization and structuring of natural regeneration were Clethra scabra, Myrsine coriacea e Miconia cabucu. These are indicated as promising species for rehabilitation programs of mined areas with similar conditions of successional strategy.
Open pit mining; spontaneous vegetation; secondary ecological succession; coal mine; mining wastes
