Analyis on the vascular epiphytes of tree ferns in a montane rain forest in Costa Rica

Bittner, Jens; Trejos, Juan Diego

doi:10.15517/rmta.v4i2.148

Cited by 5 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 7 publications

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“…In tropical forests, Orchidaceae and Bromeliaceae prevail in the crown and ferns prevail in the forest understory and trunks (Krömer et al, 2007; Petter et al, 2016). The Orchidaceae family, one of the most abundant epiphytic families for either the Atlantic Forest (Freitas et al, 2016) and the world (Zotz, 2013b), was too underrepresented in other studies with tree ferns (Becker et al, 2015; Bittner & Trejos‐Zelaya, 1997; Schmitt & Windisch, 2005). This underrepresentation may occur as a result of chemical or biological processes that inhibit the establishment of the family on tree ferns (Benzing, 1990).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The basal portion of tree ferns caudices is much older since these plants grow only a few centimeters per year (Bittner & Breckle, 1995; Schmitt & Windisch, 2006, 2012; Tanner, 1983). Therefore, it holds greater epiphytic abundance as this region is more likely to be colonized by epiphytes (Bittner & Trejos‐Zelaya, 1997; Gaxiola et al, 2008). We highlight that, despite some records of C. phalerata and A. setosa growing above 5 m, more than 75% of the individuals measured in the Atlantic rainforest were below 5 m high (Schwartz & Gasper, 2020), showing that our measured individuals—with 4 m high as an upper threshold—include mature individuals.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Neglected epiphytism: Accidental epiphytes dominate epiphytic communities on tree ferns in the Atlantic Forest

2021

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Vascular epiphytes and tree ferns constitute an important part of the Atlantic Forest structure. We characterized vascular epiphyte communities on two tree fern species (Alsophila setosa Kaulf. and Cyathea phalerata Mart.) including accidental epiphytes (i.e., species that are usually terrestrial, without necessarily completing their life cycle as an epiphyte), which have been overlooked in many previous studies. We aimed to understand epiphytism in terms of distribution, diversity, community composition, and host attributes that affect the richness and abundance of accidental epiphytes. Despite the great species richness of accidental epiphytes, they were—in contrast to true epiphytes—generally low in abundance and heavily represented by singletons and doubletons. We did not identify a difference in accidental epiphytic diversity and composition between host species, implying that both host species provide similar habitats for accidental epiphytes—although some epiphytic species showed a preference for a specific host species and/or stratum. Epiphyte richness and abundance were positively associated with a codependence of host surface area and moisture content, but only for accidental epiphytes. Our study illustrates the importance of two tree fern species as epiphyte hosts in the rainforest understory. It also shows that, although frequently overlooked, accidental epiphytism can be common in the understory of tropical forests and a phenomenon that merits further study in this region. Abstract in Portuguese is available with online material.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Neglected epiphytism: Accidental epiphytes dominate epiphytic communities on tree ferns in the Atlantic Forest

2021

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“…In addition, most recent studies on the ecology, floristic, and diversity of epiphytic ferns were reported outside of the Malesian region (Bianchi and Kersten 2014;Chambers et al 2017;Díaz et al 2012;Eskova et al 2020;Gabriel y Galaân et al 2018, Gonzalez et al 2017Huang et al 2019;Klinghardt and Zotz 2021;Lu et al 2015;Machado et al 2016;Moulatlet et al 2019;Mountier et al 2018;Nagalingum et al 2015;Nettesheim et al 2014;Nitta et al 2020;Oldekop et al 2012;Pouteau et al 2016;Quaresma et al 2017;Ramírez-Barahona et al 2011;Riefner Jr. and Smith 2019;Sanger and Kirkpatrick 2015;Schmitt and Windisch 2010;Sugita et al 2013;Testo and Watkins 2013;Wagner et al 2015). Ecological studies dealing with the composition, community structure, and vertical distribution of epiphytic tree ferns outside of the Malesian region have been reported (Bittner and Trejos-Zelaya 1997;Roberts et al 2005;Fraga et al 2008;Scheider and Schmitt 2011). A study on the diversity and composition of the epiphytic vascular plant, including ferns, on tree ferns (Cyathea spp.)…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Composition, community structure, and vertical distribution of epiphytic ferns on Cyathea junghuhniana in Gede-Pangrango National Park, Indonesia

2021

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Abstract. Hasanah U, Hadisunarso, Praptosuwiryo TN. 2021. Composition, community structure, and vertical distribution of epiphytic ferns on Cyathea junghuhniana in Gede-Pangrango National Park, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 22: 4968-4976. Epiphytic ferns are a significant component of tropical forests worldwide and contribute significantly to the high species diversity found in tropical regions. Tree ferns are important phorophytes for the establishment and occurrence of epiphytic fern species in tropical forests. The first detailed description of the diversity and abundance of epiphytic ferns on the tree fern Cyathea junghuhniana (Kunze) Copel. in a natural forest of Indonesia is provided. This study aimed to determine the species composition, richness, abundance, community structure, and vertical distribution of epiphytic ferns growing on the tree fern C. junghuhniana in the mountain forest of Gede-Pangrango National Park, West Java, Indonesia. The 35 tree fern caudices of at least 3 m height were selected by purposive random sampling. Each tree fern was divided into intervals of 1 meter from ground level to a height of three meters, thus obtaining 105 one-meter samples of the epiphytic fern community on tree fern caudices stratified according to height. The Importance Value Index (IVI) was estimated for each species of epiphyte based on the frequency of occurrence on caudices. The 35 tree fern caudices hosted 760 fern epiphytes belonging to 12 species of 9 genera and 6 families. The highest species richness occurred in Polypodiaceae. The species with the highest Importance Value Index (IVI = 1.24 %) was Nephrolepis davallioides (Sw.) Kunze, with increasing frequency from bottom to top of the caudex.

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“…Tree ferns are part of tropical forest ecosystems and are hosts for many epiphyte species. The study of epiphytes and tree ferns as its host showed that tree ferns species and the morphology of their trunk influenced epiphytic plant communities [9]. The root mantles on trunk of tree ferns provided a more favourable microhabitat for epiphytic plant growth [10].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Exotic Epiphytes on Tree Ferns in Cibodas Botanical Gardens: The Importance of Light Preferences and Host Characteristics

Junaedi

Nasution

2018

J.Trop.Life.Science

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The study of exotic epiphytes on tree ferns is relatively scarce. Biological invasion of exotic epiphytes may imply negative consequences to native epiphytes and tree ferns, which are important components in tropical mountainous rainforest ecosystems. This study surveyed exotic epiphytes on tree ferns in Cibodas Botanical Gardens (CBG) and adjacent forests next to CBG. The objectives of this study are: a) to conduct inventory study of exotic epiphyte species on tree ferns, b) to examine how different these exotic epiphytes from each other based on their microclimate preferences, c) to conduct invasive risk assessment of those exotic epiphytes, and d) to model the effect of environmental factors and host (tree ferns) characteristics to the occurrence of exotic epiphytes on tree ferns. We conducted multi-dimensional analysis to examine how different these exotic epiphytes based on their micro-climate parameters. We used Weed Risk Assessment (WRA) framework to estimate the invasion risks of surveyed exotic epiphytes. We performed Bayesian logistic regression to test the correlation between environmental and host characteristics and the occurrence probability of exotics epiphytes on tree ferns. We found 13 exotic epiphyte species on two native tree ferns species (Cyathea junghuhniana and Cyathea contaminans). Multidimensional analysis showed that Axonopus compressus is very different from other exotic epiphytes due to its environmental preferences. Ageratina riparia and Clidemia hirta were exotic epiphytes with the highest invasion risks. Therefore, we suggested that A. riparia and C. hirta are more likely to become invasive and may contribute significant impacts to native ecosystems. Lastly, the presence of Austroeupatorium inulaefolium as exotic epiphytes in tree ferns negatively correlated with the host height. Further study is needed to incorporate biological traits of the exotic epiphytes and more specific environmental parameters such as light chromatic quality in to the exotic epiphyte occurrence model. This study provides evidence for the existences of exotic epiphytes on tree ferns. The result of this study may also indicate that host characteristics and micro-climate factors could play important roles to inhibit the occurrence of exotic epiphytes on tree ferns.

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Analyis on the vascular epiphytes of tree ferns in a montane rain forest in Costa Rica

Cited by 5 publications

References 7 publications

Neglected epiphytism: Accidental epiphytes dominate epiphytic communities on tree ferns in the Atlantic Forest

Neglected epiphytism: Accidental epiphytes dominate epiphytic communities on tree ferns in the Atlantic Forest

Composition, community structure, and vertical distribution of epiphytic ferns on Cyathea junghuhniana in Gede-Pangrango National Park, Indonesia

Exotic Epiphytes on Tree Ferns in Cibodas Botanical Gardens: The Importance of Light Preferences and Host Characteristics

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