Floristic diversity in a naturalized prairie with anthropic intervention in Southern Brazil (Bom-Retiro-SC)

Abstract

The South American natural pastures “campos nativos” ecosystems are prairies that have
been shaped naturally during 30 millions of years. The native fields are used for raising domestic
cattle with low costs, but some anthropic activities, threatens the preservation of this
ecosystem. Thus, are necessary agriculture practices that ensure the use and preservation of
this ecosystem through an agroecological perspective. The aim of this study was to assess the
composition of families and species of plants in a naturalized pastures with anthropic intervention.
The pastures was located in southern Brazil and it has been managed during three years
on Pastoreio Racional Voisin grazing system. Botanical samples were collected and taxonomic
identification was applied. We found 81 species belonging to 23 families, and this diversity was
higher than the diversity reported for extensive grazing systems. We observe that rational management
of naturalized prairies is a main factor for promoting diversity.