XVI International Botanical Congess

The Quitumb_ hill is located at Guaraque_aba count, northern coast of Paranß State, inside a wildlife protected area considered the biggest continuous fragment of Atlantic Forest in Brazil. Historical occupation of the lands has caused depletion on vegetation and erosion problems. Nowadays, at the west side slope, cassava (Manihot esculenta) growing through cut and burn practices is the main impacting activity. A mosaic of successional patches in different ages characterizes hill's vegetation. Phytosociological and pedological surveys were carried out on four successional stages, from early development to mature secondary forest. Considering available information on social constraints and on ecological and economic potential of local plant species, a management plan was designed for the area, integrating local people participation with environmental education activities, multiple uses of non-timber forest products and institutional articulation.