Vascular epiphytes are a diverse and conspicuous component of biodiversity in tropical and subtropical forests. Yet, the patterns and drivers of epiphyte assemblages are poorly studied in comparison with soil-rooted plants. Current knowledge about diversity patterns of epiphytes mainly stems from local studies or floristic inventories, but this information has not yet been integrated to allow a better understanding of large-scale distribution patterns. EpIG-DB, the first database on epiphyte assemblages at the continental scale, resulted from an exhaustive compilation of published and unpublished inventory data from the Neotropics. The current version of EpIG-DB consists of 463,196 individual epiphytes from 3,005 species, which were collected from a total of 18,148 relevés (host trees and 'understory' plots). EpIG-DB reports the occurrence of 'true' epiphytes, hemiepiphytes and nomadic vines, including information on their cover, abundance, frequency and biomass. Most records (97%) correspond to sampled host trees, 76% of them aggregated in forest plots. The data is stored in a TURBOVEG database using the most up-to-date checklist of vascular epiphytes. A total of 18 additional fields were created for the standardization of associated data commonly used in epiphyte ecology (e.g. by considering different sampling methods). EpIG-DB currently covers six major biomes across the whole latitudinal range of epiphytes in the Neotropics but welcomes data globally. This novel database provides, for the first time, unique biodiversity data on epiphytes for the Neotropics and unified guidelines for future collection of epiphyte data. EpIG-DB will allow exploration of new ways to study the community ecology and biogeography of vascular epiphytes. K E Y W O R D S biodiversity, community ecology, database, forest plot, hemiepiphytes, Neotropics, nomadic vines, taxonomic diversity, vascular epiphytes, vegetation relevé 520 |

Especificidad de forófito y preferencias microambientales de los líquenes cortícolas en cinco forófitos del bosque premontano de finca Zíngara, Cali, Colombia Abstract: Phorophyte specificity and microenvironmental preferences of corticolous lichens in five phorophyte species from premontane forest of Finca Zíngara, Cali, Colombia). Lichenized fungi or lichens are organisms that have been little studied in the tropics and which distribution is affected by microenvironmental factors and substrate characteristics. The present study aimed to identify phorophyte specificity and microenvironmental preferences of corticolous lichens in five phorophyte species from premontane forest of the farm Finca Zingara in Cali, Colombia. For this, five individuals were selected from five tree species (phorophytes). Lichen species present in a 0.50x0.20m 2 quadrant located in the trunk of each tree at a height of 1.3m were identified. Substrate parameters such as bark pH, Diameter Breast Height (DBH) and bark structure were measured. Also, microenvironmental factors including temperature, humidity and irradiance were determined. In order to detect phorophyte preferences, a non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMS) and indicator species analysis were made. Spearman correlation analysis was used to assert the relationship between environmental variables and groupings found in the NMS. A total of 69 species of lichens were found, of which 37 were identified to species, 18 to genera and 14 were not determined because they were sterile or had no spores. NMS showed that some individuals of the same tree species were grouped alongside the analysis dimensions, and they were related with the factors of light intensity, temperature and DBH. Only three lichens with preference for certain tree species were found (Arthonia microsperma by Meriania sp., Cladonia ceratophylla and sorediado 8 by Clusia sp.), suggesting absence of phorophyte preferences. Thus, it can be concluded that lichens from the study area do not show phorophyte preference, but their distribution is affected by light, temperature and DBH. Rev. Biol. Trop. 60 (2): 843-856. Epub 2012 June 01.

El objetivo de este trabajo fue analizar la riqueza de los líquenes y las relaciones biogeográficas entre zonas de vida en Colombia, así como definir especies y géneros indicadores. Para ello se compiló información de distintos herbarios nacionales, bases de datos y publicaciones. Se usó la clasificación en zonas de vida de Colombia para definir las localidades de recolección de los líquenes. Se encontraron tres agrupaciones principales: regiones de bosque húmedo (Amazonía y Chocó), bosques secos y Orinoquía, y bosques andinos (premontano a páramo). Estas regiones formaron grupos en un gradiente que abarca desde zonas de vida de elevaciones bajas hasta el páramo. En cuanto a las relaciones fitogeográficas, fue posible establecer una mayor afinidad entre los bosques húmedos de las zonas de Amazonía y Chocó,  ntre los bosques premontanos, montanos y páramos, y entre los bosques secos interandinos y del Caribe. Las regiones con mayor riqueza y especies de distribución restringida fueron la andina y las de bosque húmedo. La riqueza exhibió un patrón decreciente con la elevación y unimodal con la latitud, con mayores valores en las latitudes medias.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the spatial effect of a natural source of sulphur pollution on the species diversity, richness and distribution of corticolous lichens in a páramo zone at the mine ‘El Vinagre’ (Puracé, Cauca, Colombia). Three zones at different distances from the pollution source were established: zone 1 with a high degree of contamination, a potentially mildly affected or transitional zone 2, and a zone 3 free of disturbance. In each zone, 10 phorophytes ofWeinmannia microphylla(Cunoniaceae) were sampled, and all lichens in a 150 cm vertical transect 50 cm above the ground were collected and identified. Phorophyte parameters were measured (bark pH and diameter at breast height) and the samples were georeferenced. In order to evaluate the impact on lichens, non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMS) and indicator species analysis were carried out. ANOVA and Spearman correlations were performed to assess the relationships of environmental and tree variables between zones and with lichen community structure. The index of atmospheric purity (IAP) and the environmental rating factor (FCA) were evaluated for the three zones. In total, 104 lichen species were recorded, of which 72 were identified to species, 17 to genus, and four to family; 11 samples could not be identified. NMS clustered samples according to zone and the main axis which were correlated with bark pH and distance from pollution source. We found eight indicator species characterizing different zones, and four marginally significant indicator species. Using the IAP, we established three isocontamination areas, with zones 2 and 3 classified as more or less pristine zones and zone 1 as a polluted zone (supported by bark pH as a proxy for current pollution). Diversity was lowest in zone 1, closest to the pollution source, and lichen species composition differed between zones. Differences between lichens in zones 2 and 3 appear mostly unrelated to the current pollution source and might be more related to historical differences in impact from a 20-year-old pollution source.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of island area and isolation on species richness and abundance, and vegetation structure of Isla Palma by comparing these parameters with those of the continental location, Playa Chucheros. By sampling vegetation at each locality using Gentry transects (10 50x2 m) we found 204 species of plants at Playa Chucheros, and 103 on Isla Palma. Species richness and abundance of woody plants was higher for Playa Chucheros (472 individuals) compared to Isla Palma (349 individuals). Richness estimators indicate that the plant species richness of Playa Chucheros is almost twice as high as that of Isla Palma. Rarefaction curves suggest that Playa Chucheros had a significantly greater richness than Isla Palma. Furthermore, physiognomic parameters were higher for Playa Chucheros than those observed for Isla Palma, showing that the former supports tree vegetation with higher DBH and greater height. These results indicate that the size and isolation of the island is reflected in a diminished richness and vegetation structure, which can be of significant assistance in the development of better conservation strategies for plants and other groups of organisms on islands.