Diversity, composition and host-species relationships of epiphytic orchids and ferns in two forests in Nepal

Adhikari, Yagya P.; Fischer, Anton; Fischer, H; Rokaya, Maan Bahadur; Bhattarai, Prakash; Gruppe, Axel

doi:10.1007/s11629-016-4194-x

Cited by 20 publications

(18 citation statements)

References 40 publications

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“…The variation in orchid species composition was similar to that reported in other studies from Nepal [13], Reunion Island [95] and Hainan Island, south China [1]. The variation in orchid species composition is brought about by differences in host types [13], topography, climate, and differences in the species of orchids recorded in different study areas [1,95]. In addition, the decrease in species diversity with increase in altitude is due to an increase in environmental harshness at high altitudes resulting from lower temperature [38], decreased soil fertility [98], and an increase in steep, rugged topography with little topsoil at high altitudes [99].…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 88%

“…Recording of 44 species of epiphytic orchids in our study was much higher than in the previous study [13], and some of the epiphytic orchids such as Agrostophyllum callosum, Aerides multiflora, Aerides odorata, Bulbophyllum purpureofuscum were not even mentioned in local floras [71,[88][89][90][91]. The present study indicated that fine scale sampling across a valley may result in the discovery of new species, e.g., the angiosperms (not orchids): Hoya polyneura [92] and Thunbergia kasajuana [93], which were recently reported in the vicinity of the Kathmandu valley.…”

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 70%

“…In Nepal, studies on epiphytic orchids focus mainly on (i) taxonomy [30,[41][42][43], (ii) medicinal values [44,45], (iii) micropropagation [46], (iv) distribution at large spatial scales [25], (v) associations between diversity and distribution and host characteristics at different localities [13,15], (vi) diversity under different forest management regimes [13] or along land-use gradients [47], and (vii) conservation issues [48]. There has, however, not been a fine scale field survey of epiphytic orchids along an altitudinal gradient in Nepal.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Additional factors that determine the diversity of epiphytic species of plants are host characteristics such as bark pH, bark rugosity, stem diameter, type of host (deciduous/evergreen), host habit (shrub/trees), host age, host height, canopy cover, bark water holding capacity, etc. [ 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Epiphytic Orchid Diversity along an Altitudinal Gradient in Central Nepal

Timsina

Kindlmann

Subedi

et al. 2021

Plants

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Epiphytic orchids are common in subtropical forests, but little is known about the factors that determine their diversity. We surveyed two sites (north-facing Phulchowki and south-facing Shivapuri hills), in the sub-tropical forest in the Kathmandu valley, central Nepal. Along five transects per site, spanning an altitudinal gradient of 1525–2606 m a.s.l., we recorded all epiphytic orchids and the host species on which they were growing. The data were analyzed using a generalized linear model (GLM) and redundancy analysis (RDA). Species richness significantly decreased with increasing altitude and was higher in larger hosts and in places with high temperature. Species composition was affected by altitude, distance from the forest edge, host type, and precipitation. This study indicates that the most important factors affecting epiphytic orchid diversity was altitude, even if other factors were associated with patterns in composition. The low-altitude habitats with high species diversity are the best places for epiphytic orchids in this region. The altitudinal species richness and patterns in composition revealed by this study provide a baseline for further studies on epiphytic orchids.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 88%

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 70%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Epiphytic Orchid Diversity along an Altitudinal Gradient in Central Nepal

Timsina

Kindlmann

Subedi

et al. 2021

Plants

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“…Bark texture plays an important role in catching seeds and provides a suitable substrate for epiphyte seedlings to develop and survive (Callaway, Reinhart, Moore, Moore, & Pennings, 2002). It has been proposed that rugose tree bark offers a better foothold for seed attachment than smooth and peeling bark (Adhikari et al, 2017; Adhikari, Fischer, & Fischer, 2012; Callaway et al, 2002; Hietz & Hietz‐Seifert, 1995; Timsina et al, 2016; Zimmerman & Olmsted, 1992). Trees with peeling bark range between 9% and 70% of the individuals in tropical dry forests (Ackerman, Montalvo, & Vera, 1989; Rico‐Gray, García‐Franco, Puch, & Simá, 1988; Zimmerman & Olmsted, 1992), which are potentially lower in both species richness and abundance of epiphytes (Brown, 1990; Talley, Setzer, & Jackes, 1996; ter Steege & Cornelissen, 1989; Zimmerman & Olmsted, 1992), since the seeds are easily removed by wind or water runoff due to bark having no slits to hold them.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Contribution of peeling host for epiphyte abundance in two tropical dry forests in the “El Cielo Biosphere Reserve”, Mexico

Siaz-Torres

Mora‐Olivo

Arellano-Méndez

et al. 2021

Plant Species Biology

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Host traits partly determine the abundance and species richness of epiphytes in tropical forests. It has been proposed that older trees with rough bark and evergreens often house more individuals and more epiphytic species than those with thin, smooth, and peeling bark, which harbor few epiphytes. We hypothesize (i) that epiphytes are more abundant and species‐rich in the more shaded forest, which is related to bark roughness, and (ii) that epiphytes are distributed in the middle of the host, where microenvironmental conditions are more favorable to survival. We evaluated abundance, species richness, and vertical distribution of epiphytes in two tropical dry forests, according to the deciduousness and basal area of the trees. Moreover, we selected the most abundant epiphytes to test whether their distribution is related to a specific bark type and examine their vertical distribution in two dry forests. We distinguished a high abundance and species richness of epiphytes in the deciduous forest, although basal area and host species richness were higher in the semi‐deciduous forest. In both forests, we found a positive relationship between epiphyte abundance and basal area. Higher abundance of epiphytes was related to the predominance of Tillandsia schiedeana, a drought‐adapted species, in both forests. Unexpectedly, epiphytes abundantly colonized Bursera simaruba, a host with peeling bark and a very branched crown, where small individuals of T. schiedeana colonized abundantly toward the top of the crown. Our results show the importance of the tropical dry forest, particularly, B. simaruba, in maintaining epiphyte diversity in terms of T. schiedeana colonization.

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