**2.2.4 Exploration and natural regeneration**

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 erosion.

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

Sustainable Forest Management of Native Vegetation Remnants in Brazil 93

cm, distant about 2.5 meters of one another, without suppressing any other shrub or tree species. Therefore, their disposition may be irregular to meet this specificity of

Practices must be adopted in the conduction of natural regeneration to increase volumetric increment, involving the elimination of invasive species such as vines that may restrict the establishment of candeia, as well as thinning when competition is above the site's capacity. Typically this thinning should be performed when the larger plants present height of

So that there is no risk to the genetic diversity of candeia under management, for any of the systems implemented there should be a minimum number of seeds trees equivalent to at least 100 plants per hectare. In addition, it is mandatory that the managed areas be protected

For the evaluation of the regeneration of managed areas, Brazilian environmental agencies require Annual Technical Reports until the 3rd year after exploration, the transplanting of

Diametric structure of a natural forest follows a negative exponential function, with a larger abundance of individuals in the smaller diameter classes. Regarding the average production of oil/stem diameter class the production is increased in larger classes, 4.042 kg for the trees between 30 and 35 cm in diameter, contrasting to 1.585 kg for trees between 5 and 10 cm in diameter. Nonetheless, the viability of exploration in smaller classes is achieved due to the large number of individuals (Pérez, 2001). The presence of oil in plants can be found in various parts (leaves, flowers, wood, branches, twigs, fruits, rhizomes), being composed of several chemical substances such as: alcohols, aldehydes, esters, phenols, terpenes and hydrocarbons. Due to the high presence of Alpha-bisabolol (on average 66.1% of its constitution) candeia's oil odor is very characteristic and unattractive to human smell. Table 4 presents the production generated by a candeia fragment to be explored, following the

The process of extracting essential oil may be done by various methods, such as hydrodistillation, maceration, solvent extraction, effleurage, supercritical gases and microwave. In Brazil there are approximately 7 companies that extract candeia oil. The oil is commercialized for the production of: astringent; liquid lipstick; sunscreen; toothpaste; baby

Fig. 12. Example of post exploration practices, soil scarification using a hoe.

epiphytes and other components that characterize sustainable management.

**2.2.6 Commercialized products and oil extraction** 

principles of sustainable forest management.

management (Figure 12).

against the action of domestic animals and fire.

around 1 m.

is adequate or not is not only associated to the abundance of regeneration, but also to its distribution in the area. It is important to stress that any area subject to management must be protected from domestic animals and fire, this way not compromising the natural regeneration and consequently the sustained vegetation production over time.

Fig. 10. Wood removed from the forest fragment transported by mules.

Fig. 11. Implementation of the group selection system (a); candeia natural regeneration after 6 months (b) and 24 months after exploration (c); aerial view of the group selection system 24 months after exploration (d).
