Ecosystem engineering by Fascicularia bicolor in the canopy of the South-American temperate rainforest

Ortega‐Solís, Gabriel; Díaz, Ignacio Sánchez; Mellado‐Mansilla, Daniela; Tello, Francisco; Moreno, Ricardo; Tejo, Camila F.

doi:10.1016/j.foreco.2017.06.020

Cited by 16 publications

(21 citation statements)

References 46 publications

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“…In general, it has been suggested that colonization of the canopy begins with non‐vascular species (bryophytes, lichens) and ends with vascular species (angiosperms and ferns) (Johansson ; Catling & Lefkovitch ; Benzing ; Brown ; Ingram & Nadkarni ; Nadkarni ). These latter species of epiphyte inhabit mats with larger biomass and/or generate or retain a larger quantity of CS (Enloe et al ; Jian et al ; Ortega‐Solis et al ; Woods ). Gotsch et al () highlight that the soils retained by the epiphytes offer habitat and resources to other species within the ecosystem.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…There are more species of humus epiphyte (aroids, humus ferns; Woods et al ) that could be key in the retention of CS, including the tank bromeliads Fascicularia bicolor (Ruiz & Pav.) Mez (Ortega‐Solis et al ) and Tillandsia monodelpha (E. Morren) Baker (Woods et al ). While epiphyte mats mature, bromeliads with a high capacity for developing clones ( e.g.…”

Section: Crown Traits and Epiphyte Abundance Determining Csmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Epiphyte associations and canopy soil volume: nutrient capital and factors influencing soil retention in the canopy

et al. 2020

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Canopy soil (CS) volume reflect epiphyte community maturity, but little is known about the factors that retain CS or species succession within it. Humus fern species (e.g. Phlebodium areolatum) appear capable of retaining CS.• In ten Quercus spp. we sampled 987 epiphyte mats to examine the role of the common epiphyte species and crown traits determining CS volume, in order to infer successional stages and identify pioneer and late successional species. Branch traits (height, diameter and slope), CS volume and cover of the epiphyte species were determined for each mat. Nutrient content was determined in CS random samples of 12 epiphyte associations and sizes (one sample from each size quintile).• A total of 60% of the mats lack CS. Cover of P. areolatum was the main variable explaining CS volume, and this species was present in 46.8% of those with CS. Epiphyte composition was highly variable, but pioneer (species appearing in monospecific mats, without CS) and late successional species could be identified. Canopy soil nutrient content was similar among the associations of epiphytes. Magnesium, Ca and pH decreased with CS volume, while P and N increased.• Phlebodium areolatum is associated with high CS volumes and could act as a key species in its retention. Monospecific mats of pioneer species lack CS or have low volumes, while CS is much higher in mats with late successional species, but the mechanisms of CS formation and nutrient retention in response to interactions between epiphyte species remain to be tested.Plant Biology 22 (2020) 541-552

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Crown Traits and Epiphyte Abundance Determining Csmentioning

confidence: 99%

Epiphyte associations and canopy soil volume: nutrient capital and factors influencing soil retention in the canopy

et al. 2020

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“…, , Ortega‐Solís et al. ). However, no studies have yet focused on documenting the arboreal habits of any mammal in SATRs, and all previous studies and observations have been conducted from a ground‐based perspective.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…), including at least two holoepiphytes, which grow in the canopy and never root in the ground, Sarmienta repens (Gesneriaceae) and the bromeliad Fascicularia bicolor (Salinas and Armesto , Ortega‐Solís et al. ). The latter was described as an ecosystem engineer that is very important to canopy biodiversity (Ortega‐Solís et al.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Confirmation of arboreal habits in Dromiciops gliroides: a key role in Chilean Temperate Rainforests

2018

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Dromiciops gliroides is a small marsupial endemic to the South American temperate rainforest;it is considered a living fossil because it is the only living species of the order Microbiotheria, more related to Australian marsupials than those found in South America. Dromiciops gliroides has been considered a scansorial marsupial most frequently found in the understory. Nonetheless, several authors have hypothesized that this species could be arboreal because of its ability to climb through the vegetation. However, all previous studies on D. gliroides have been conducted from the ground, with no documentation of this species' ability to climb trees, or how high they may reach. Here, we present the first evidence of arboreal habits in D. gliroides, and we analyze its functional importance for the biodiversity of forest canopies. In the Bosque Pehu en Park (39°25 0 S, 71°45 0 W), in six emergent Nothofagus dombeyi (Nothofagaceae) trees, we installed camera traps, one per tree, between 12 and 21 m aboveground, in the trees' crowns. Camera traps were active from January to April of 2017, during the Southern Hemisphere's summer and fall. We recorded a total of 2319 photographs, including small mammals, birds, and lizards, in addition to several unidentified species. A total of 230 photographs of D. gliroides were recorded, across all six of the surveyed trees. In a more recent survey (February 2018), we found this species at 26 m, 2 m from the tree's highest point. Dromiciops gliroides is thus a frequent canopy user and could influence canopy biota and ecological processes. Dromiciops gliroides is considered a seed disperser of most vascular epiphytes and vines, and may therefore strongly influence epiphytic dynamics. It is also an active invertebrate predator and as such could significantly decrease tree herbivory. The roles that D. gliroides plays in this ecosystem need more clarification; this living fossil may be more important for this forest ecosystem than previously believed, modulating biodiversity and functions in unexpected, yet relevant ways.

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Accidental epiphytes: Ecological insights and evolutionary implications

Hoeber

Zotz

2022

Ecological Monographs

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Vascular epiphytes are an important component of many ecosystems and constitute a substantial part of global plant diversity. In this context, accidental epiphytism, that is, the opportunistic epiphytic growth of typically terrestrial species, deserves special attention because it provides crucial insights into the global distribution of vascular epiphytes and the initial evolution of epiphytic lineages. Even though accidental epiphytes have been mentioned in the literature for more than a century, they have been neglected in most epiphyte studies. Only recently has accidental epiphytism been investigated more thoroughly. Therefore, the aim of this article is to provide a comprehensive review of the ecological basis and evolutionary relevance of this common but largely neglected phenomenon and to highlight open questions and promising research directions. Our central statement—that any species has the potential to grow epiphytically given the availability of suitable microhabitats and successful dispersal—is backed up by a compilation of observations of accidental epiphytes from numerous ecosystems with diverse climates, even including semiarid Mediterranean ones. A variety of arboreal microhabitats and environmental conditions conform to the ecological niche of typical terrestrial species, with the availability of such microhabitats depending on the interaction of local climate conditions, host tree age, and host species identity. Whenever suitable microhabitats are available in tree crowns, accidental epiphytism is limited primarily by dispersal. In an evolutionary context, the conquest of forest canopy represents an ecological opportunity where accidental epiphytes act as links between terrestrial and epiphytic life forms. We discuss two fundamental scenarios with sympatric speciation, selective pressure, autopolyploidy, and allopatric speciation as underlying mechanisms in the transition from terrestrial to epiphytic growth. In conclusion, we argue that accidental epiphytism is a substrate and dispersal‐dependent phenomenon and that, both from an individual perspective and an evolutionary perspective, epiphytism reflects the occupation of suitable but previously unexploited arboreal microhabitats. Acknowledging the fundamental principles that plant growth is opportunistic and that dispersal is a stochastic process can decisively improve our understanding of species distributions and other ecological patterns, as in the case of accidental epiphytism.

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Ecosystem engineering by Fascicularia bicolor in the canopy of the South-American temperate rainforest

Cited by 16 publications

References 46 publications

Epiphyte associations and canopy soil volume: nutrient capital and factors influencing soil retention in the canopy

Epiphyte associations and canopy soil volume: nutrient capital and factors influencing soil retention in the canopy

Confirmation of arboreal habits in Dromiciops gliroides: a key role in Chilean Temperate Rainforests

Accidental epiphytes: Ecological insights and evolutionary implications

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