Epiphyte Diversity, Abundance, and Distribution in an Old Sitka Spruce Crown

Gorman, Alexander J.; Kerhoulas, Lucy P.; Polda, Wade; Kerhoulas, Nicholas J.

doi:10.1639/0747-9859-36.1.12

Cited by 8 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 6 publications

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“…In North America, large trees in old‐growth rainforests on the Pacific coast hold a sizeable amount of arboreal soil in their crowns (Enloe et al, 2006; Haristoy et al, 2014), which can support an enormous accumulation of epiphytic biomass (Sillett & Bailey, 2003; Sillett & Van Pelt, 2007). For instance, in northwestern California, more than 150 individuals of about 15 typically terrestrial species were found on just 10 old‐growth gymnosperm trees (Gorman et al, 2019; Sillett, 1999; Sillett & Van Pelt, 2000). Further north, Nadkarni (1984a) observed two herbaceous species as accidental epiphytes on Acer macrophyllum trees on the Olympic Peninsula.…”

Section: Global Occurrences Of Accidental Epiphytesmentioning

confidence: 99%

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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Section: Global Occurrences Of Accidental Epiphytesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Accidental epiphytes: Ecological insights and evolutionary implications

Hoeber

Zotz

2022

Ecological Monographs

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“…Identi cation of life forms in the tops of these giant trees is a great challenge, requiring the use of ropes and climbing techniques to access their canopies to understand distribution of epiphytes and their role in maintaining biodiversity in such forests (Benzing, 2004). There is also currently a growing concern with the preservation of biodiversity in ancient forests because of their capacity as biomass reservoirs and possibilities of nding in them various forms of epiphyte life (e.g., lichens, mosses) (Gorman et al, 2019).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Vascular epiphytes on large old-growth trees: the influence of ecological zones in epiphyte species composition

Scipioni

Fischer

Melo

et al. 2023

Preprint

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The over time establishment of epiphyte communities on large old-growth trees has shown that epiphyte numbers tend to rise in relation to the size of their phorophytes. The objective of our study was to perform a floristic survey of vascular epiphytes on last large old-growth trees in a subtropical forest and to compare species richness between conifers and hardwood trees. Nine phorophytes (0.9 - 2.1 m in diameter and 22 - 40 m in height) in one of the last remaining old-growth forests were selected for study. Epiphyte locations on the trees were divided into the following ecological zones: base of the trunk: first 1.30 m above ground; mid-section of the trunk: from the trunk base to the crown base; crown base: 1.30 m below the crown; and crown. We found 30 species of epiphytes, distributed in 21 genera and 11 families. Among the distribution patterns of the epiphytes there were species predominantly occurring in the basal or mid-trunk region of the phorophytes (e.g., Billbergia nutans); other species occupied the upper portion of the phorophyte, between the mid-trunk and the crown (e.g., Vriesea reitzii). The relationship between size in large old host trees and vascular epiphyte species richness is not positive and linear. Vascular epiphyte species richness by host trees species was indifferent among large old trees species, even though Ocotea porosa (hardwood) has an apparently larger crown greater and show more abundance of epiphytes than that of Araucaria angustifolia (conifer).

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“…Identi cation of life forms in the tops of these giant trees is a great challenge, requiring use of ropes and climbing techniques to access their canopies to understand distribution of epiphytes and their role in maintaining biodiversity in such forests (Benzing 2004). There is also currently a growing concern with the preservation of biodiversity in ancient forests because of their capacity as biomass reservoirs and possibilities of nding in them new life forms (Gorman et al 2019).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Environmental factors determining spatial distribution of epiphytes are differences in micro-habitats and substrates, determined by the shape, angulation and diameter of tree trunks and branches (Sillett 1999;Petean 2009;Kersten 2010;Gorman et al 2019). According to Kersten (2010), epiphytes are components of great importance for biological diversity, not only by the richness of their species and beauty, but also by the number of niches and shelters they create for animals, especially in the canopies, with most active atmospheric ows and physiological processes.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Vascular epiphytes on large old-growth trees: the influence of ecological zones in epiphyte species composition

Scipioni

Fischer

Melo

et al. 2022

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The over time establishment of epiphyte communities on large old-growth trees has shown that epiphyte numbers tend to rise in relation to the size of their phorophytes. The objective of our study was to perform a floristic survey of vascular epiphytes on last large old-growth trees in a subtropical forest and to compare species richness between conifers and hardwood trees. Nine phorophytes (0.9–2.1 m in diameter and 22–40 m in height) in one of the last remaining old-growth forests were selected for study. Epiphyte locations on the trees were divided into the following ecological zones: base of the trunk: first 1.30 m above ground; mid-section of the trunk: from the trunk base to the crown base; crown base: 1.30 m below the crown; and crown. We found 30 species of epiphytes, distributed in 21 genera and 11 families. Among the distribution patterns of the epiphytes there were species predominantly occurring in the basal or mid-trunk region of the phorophytes (e.g., Billbergia nutans); other species occupied the upper portion of the phorophyte, between the mid-trunk and the crown (e.g., Vriesea reitzii). The relationship between size in large old host trees and vascular epiphyte species richness is not positive and linear. Vascular epiphyte species richness by host trees species was indifferent among large old trees species, even though Ocotea porosa (hardwood) has an apparently larger crown greater and show more abundance of epiphytes than that of Araucaria angustifolia (conifer).

show abstract

Epiphyte Diversity, Abundance, and Distribution in an Old Sitka Spruce Crown

Cited by 8 publications

References 6 publications

Accidental epiphytes: Ecological insights and evolutionary implications

Accidental epiphytes: Ecological insights and evolutionary implications

Vascular epiphytes on large old-growth trees: the influence of ecological zones in epiphyte species composition

Vascular epiphytes on large old-growth trees: the influence of ecological zones in epiphyte species composition

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