Agroforestry as a method for restoration of degraded areas: a case study on the banks of Dilúvio stream, Porto Alegre

Abstract

The Faculty of Agriculture at Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), located
on the banks of the Dilúvio stream and at the base of the Santana hill, presented a degraded
area due to deforestation, deposition of construction waste and overcrowding of horses. The
Uvaia Collective of Agroecology was created in 2003 by engaged students that had a demand
for practical activities. Therefore, an area belonging to the department of Plant Health was
assigned to the group and started to be managed with agroforestry practices that aimed its restoration.
As a result of this initiative, the objective of improving the environmental quality of that
riparian zone was achieved. In addition, several students experienced agroforestry management
and the interest of the academic community was instigated in the theme. This experience
has demonstrated the potential of agroforestry systems as an alternative for the restoration of
degraded areas.