BioOne Complete (complete.BioOne.org) is a full-text database of 200 subscribed and open-access titles in the biological, ecological, and environmental sciences published by nonprofit societies, associations, museums, institutions, and presses.
Premise Approximately 14% of all fern species have physiologically active chlorophyllous spores that are much more short‐lived than the more common and dormant achlorophyllous spores. Most chlorophyllous‐spored species (70%) are epiphytes and account for almost 37% of all epiphytic ferns. Chlorophyllous‐spored ferns are also overrepresented among fern species in habitats with waterlogged soils, of which nearly 60% have chlorophyllous spores. Ferns in these disparate habitat types also have a low incidence of mycorrhizal associations. We therefore hypothesized that autotrophic chlorophyllous spores represent an adaptation of ferns to habitats with scarce mycorrhizal associations. Methods We evaluated the coevolution of chlorophyllous spores and mycorrhizal associations in ferns and their relation to habitat type using phylogenetic comparative methods. Results Although we did not find support for the coevolution of spore type and mycorrhizal associations, we did find that chlorophyllous spores and the absence of mycorrhizal associations have coevolved with epiphytic and waterlogged habitats. Transition rates to epiphytic and waterlogged habitats were significantly higher in species with chlorophyllous spores compared to achlorophyllous lineages. Conclusions Spore type and mycorrhizal associations appear to play important roles in the radiation of ferns into different habitat types. Future work should focus on clarifying the functional significance of these associations.
Biogeosciences and Forestry Biogeosciences and Forestry The importance of tree species and size for the epiphytic bromeliad Fascicularia bicolor in a South-American temperate rainforest (Chile) Gabriel Ortega-Solís (1-5) , Iván Díaz (2) , Daniela Mellado-Mansilla (2) , Ricardo Moreno-González (3) , Javier Godoy (2) , Horacio Samaniego (4) Bromeliads are a numerous family of vascular epiphytes, though only one epiphytic species inhabits South-American temperate rainforests: the endemic Fascicularia bicolor. This bromeliad is an important driver of canopy biodiversity, but attributes of its hosts are mostly unknown. Here we report (i) the tree species colonized by F. bicolor, (ii) the relationship between tree size and presence of F. bicolor and (iii) the relation between tree size and the number of mats of F. bicolor inhabiting each colonized tree. We sampled 231 trees in seven forest plots recording their species, diameter, heights, and the number of F. bicolor mats growing on them. The dataset was analyzed with a zero-inflated model to relate host tree attributes with F. bicolor occurrence and abundance in a single statistical approach. The occurrence and abundance of F. bicolor depend on host-species identity and diameter. F. bicolor colonization in slow-growing trees started at smaller DBH than that required for other tree species. Nonetheless, the overall occurrence of F. bicolor relies on large trees above 50 cm DBH for most host species. The number of mats occurring on each colonized tree depends on the interaction between tree height and species suggesting the importance of space available for colonization along the tree-trunk, and differential effects due to species' traits. Currently, large trees and old-growth forests are scarce within the distribution range of F. bicolor, which could seriously affect the long-term conservation of this endemic epiphyte, along with the canopy properties and species associated with it.
∙ In southern Chile, the most diverse forest ecosystems are located between 36° and 40° S, in the same areas where agriculture and industrial forestry are concentrated. We studied bird assemblages in Bosque Pehuén Park (39°25’S), along a human disturbance gradient from early successional forest mixed with grasslands to barely disturbed old-growth forest. We surveyed birds across all of the disturbance gradients at 18 points from 860 to 1260 m a.s.l. using point-count methods. Each point was surveyed five times per year, during the Austral summer of 2015 and 2016. Our results confirmed that there is a group of forest birds strongly related to old-growth forest, while others were characteristic of open areas. Secondary forests shared bird species with both old-growth forests and disturbed areas, and presented lower abundance of forest bird specialists. The old-growth forest bird community proved to be small and was dominated by Thorn-tailed Rayadito (Aphrastura spinicauda, Furnariidae) and White-crested Elaenia (Elaenia albiceps, Tyrannidae). Most studies in this region have taken place in secondary forests, which are characterized by a lower presence of specialists and the inclusion of birds from open areas. Here, we provide a reference bird community for Andean forests, and we argue that bird communities in secondary forests are not a good control to analyze the effects of human disturbances. We emphasize the need to conserve the last remnants of the old-growth forest found in these regions. Resumen ∙ Comunidades de aves a lo largo de un gradiente de sucesión post-perturbación en los bosques andinos del parque Bosque Pehuén, región de la Araucanía, sur de Chile En Chile, los bosques templados con mayor biodiversidad se encuentran entre 36° y 40°S, en las mismas áreas donde se concentran la actividad agrícola y las plantaciones forestales de árboles exóticos. Estudiamos los ensambles de aves en el parque Bosque Pehuén (39°25’S), a lo largo de un gradiente de perturbación humana desde bosques sucesionales tempranos mezclados con pastizales hasta bosques antiguos mínimamente perturbados. Usando puntos de escucha, registramos las aves presentes en 18 puntos distribuidos entre los 860 y los 1260 m s.n.m. cubriendo todo el gradiente de perturbación. Cada punto fue muestreado 5 veces por año, durante el verano austral de 2015 y 2016. Nuestros resultados confirmaron que hay un grupo de aves fuertemente relacionadas con bosques antiguos, mientras que otras fueron características de áreas abiertas. Los bosques secundarios compartieron especies de aves con bosques antiguos y zonas alteradas, y presentaron una menor abundancia de especialistas en aves de bosque. Se encontró que la comunidad de aves del bosque antiguo era pequeña, dominada por Rayadito Común (Aphrastura spinicauda, Furnariidae) y Fiofío Crestiblanco (Elaenia albiceps, Tyrannidae). La mayoría de los estudios en esta región se han llevado a cabo en bosques secundarios, que se caracterizan por una menor presencia de especialistas y la inclusión de aves de áreas abiertas. Aquí proporcionamos una comunidad de aves de referencia de los bosques andinos, y afirmamos que las comunidades de aves en los bosques secundarios no son un buen control para analizar los efectos de las perturbaciones humanas. Hacemos hincapié en la necesidad de conservar los últimos remanentes de bosques antiguos de estas regiones.
Background: Secondary foundation species (FS) are organisms that inhabit ecosystems structurally defined by a primary foundation species, providing additional structure to habitats and communities. Trash-basket epiphytes (TBE) are secondary FS that enhance arboreal soil accumulation, providing shelter to animals, and rooting sites for plants. While their importance may vary across biomes, TBE have been overlooked as drivers of biodiversity and ecosystem functions. Here, we discuss the prevalence of TBE across biomes, their effects on biodiversity and ecosystem functions, and future research directions. Methods: We performed a systematic literature review of articles, books and theses and collated and synthesised information about the taxonomic distribution of TBE, their effects on ecosystem functions, and reports of plant-animal and plant-plant interactions. Then, we analysed the global distribution of TBE using a generalized linear model and summarised two studies to assess their effects on soil invertebrates. Results: We identified 120 publications describing 209 species of TBE. Most TBE belong to Araceae (43%), Polypodiaceae (23%), and Orchidaceae (14%) and occur in all tropical and southern temperate forests. TBE richness peaks in the South-American Pacific mangroves, Eastern Cordillera Real, and the Napo moist forests. TBE effects on ecosystem functions include arboreal soil accumulation, water retention and temperature regulation in the canopy, and nutrient leaching through stem-flow. TBE provide shelter to species in more than 97 animal families, including from invertebrates to mammals, while 72 vascular plants have been reported to root in arboreal soil of TBE. Conclusions: TBE are a compelling group of model organisms that can be used to study ecological processes such as facilitation cascades, niche construction, extended phenotypes, or the effects of secondary FS on biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. TBE should also be included in forest management plans to enhance the availability of microhabitats in the canopy supporting its associated flora and fauna.
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