**2.2.2 Evaluation of the legal viability of forest use**

A forest inventory is the starting point to gain knowledge about a particular forest, in which a set of sample plots are distributed to quantify the variable of interest. In the case of legal viability studies of explored forests, a systematic sampling procedure is preferred with a minimal area of 600 square meters and maximum of 1000 square meters. Instead of a forest

Sustainable Forest Management of Native Vegetation Remnants in Brazil 91

Remaining trees

Explored trees

Fig. 9. Schematic representation of the silvicultural systems employed in the management of

In most cases, the locations of candeia fragments are in montane regions of difficult access, usually with improper inclination for mechanization. The alternative adopted, and existent for centuries, is the withdrawal of the wood by mules to a nearby road (Figure 10). The opening of roads in the interior of the forest fragment is not recommended since it can cause

In the case of candeia (*Eremanthus erythropappus* or *Eremanthus incanus*), which colonizes areas through seed rains, a post exploration strategy is to conduct its natural regeneration, as shown in Figure 11. To this end it is necessary to evaluate its presence in the area that is being managed. If high intensity regeneration is present throughout the entire area, selective thinnings should be applied for competition reduction. However, if no natural regeneration in part of the area is detected or if its intensity is not satisfactory to promote the occupation of the site, other reforestation strategies must be adopted. This way, if the number of plants

system Before exploration After exploration

Silvicultural

Clear cutting in strips system

Seed tree with natural regeneration system Group selection system

candeia fragments.

erosion.

**2.2.4 Exploration and natural regeneration** 

inventory, another option is the conduction of a census, in which all the individuals above 5 cm diameter are counted, distributed in diameter classes with amplitude of 5 cm. The operation is performed with the use of a diameter fork, which speeds up the field operation obtaining the number of individuals/ha of candeia. Sustainable exploration is legality permitted only when more than 70% of individuals present in the forest fragment are composed of candeia. In more environmentally fragile areas only the census is allowed. Local volumetric quantification can be obtained by scaling and fitting regression models, or through specific equations already adjusted to various parts of the State.
