Técnica de realocação de Rhipsalis (Cactaceae) em florestas regenerantes, em Itaboraí - RJ: sobrevivência e desenvolvimento

This study aimed to evaluate survival and development of epiphytic cactus Rhipsalis lindbergiana K. Schum. and R. pachyptera Pfeiff. Fragments were monitored in a greenhouse, for four months on different substrates and after relocation to regenerating Ombrophilous Dense forest, in Itaborai, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The relocation was monitored for up to three years and carried out in two climatic periods: lower (drought plot) and higher precipitation (rainfall plot). Higher growth of both species was registered in substrate with organic matter. Drought plots were significantly different in both species, probably due to the rains that followed the dry season and allowed greater survival and development. The survival and development of R. lindbergiana were significantly related to tree height where the fragments were installed, referring to the association between high epiphyte diversity and large phorophytes. It is recommended to relocate epiphytes to larger trees, at the beginning of the rainy season and keeping the fragments in contact with the substrate. This will enable the better use of plants, as well as the promotion of the recovery of forests diversity and ecological functionality processes.