Fine partitioning of epiphyte habitat within Johansson zones in tropical Australian rain forest trees

Sanger, Jennifer C.; Kirkpatrick, J. B.

doi:10.1111/btp.12351

Cited by 18 publications

(20 citation statements)

References 36 publications

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“…Analyses of the vertical distribution of vascular epiphytes frequently apply the concept of so‐called ecological zones (Johansson, ): the division of phorophytes into natural “zones” according to environmental conditions (e.g., ter Steege & Cornelissen, ; Wang et al., ). Differences in microclimatic conditions have been suggested as the main factors in epiphyte germination and survival in the vertical zone and in different types of phorophytes and forests (Krömer, Kessler & Gradstein, ; Sanger & Kirkpatrick, ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Low modularity and specialization in a commensalistic epiphyte–phorophyte network in a tropical cloud forest

et al. 2019

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Species interactions can shape the structure of natural communities. Such sets of interactions have been described as complex ecological networks, an example of which is the commensal network formed by epiphyte-phorophyte interactions.Vascular epiphytes germinate and grow on phorophytes (support trees), assuming a horizontal distribution (among the phorophyte species) and a vertical distribution (from the base of the tree trunk to the crown of phorophytes, i.e., through ecological zones). Here, we investigated the organization of these structural dimensions of the epiphyte-phorophyte network in a Brazilian tropical montane cloud forest. The analyzed network, comprising 66 epiphyte species and 22 phorophyte species, exhibited a nested structure with a low degree of specialization, a typical pattern for epiphytephorophyte networks in forests. The network was slightly modular, with 65% of the species common to three modules, and had vertical structure corresponding to the vertical organization of the phorophytes. The size (diameter at breast height) of phorophyte individuals influenced the network structure, possibly due to the increase in habitat area, the time available for colonization by epiphytes, and a greater number of microenvironments. We found that the distribution of the epiphyte species differed between the phorophyte ecological zones, with greater richness in the lower portions and greater abundance in the upper portions of the phorophytes. The results provide relevant guidance for future research on the characteristics and the vertical and horizontal organization of vascular epiphyte and phorophyte networks.Abstract in Portuguese is available with online material. K E Y

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Low modularity and specialization in a commensalistic epiphyte–phorophyte network in a tropical cloud forest

et al. 2019

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“…At the branch scale, we documented a decline in taxon richness from the inner to outer branch positions. Inner and middle branch positions may receive optimal amounts of light, retain more moisture, and provide more branch area for growth, therefore fostering a greater number of species compared with the warmer, drier, and more exposed outer branch positions (Cardelús & Chazdon, ; van Leerdam et al, ; Sanger & Kirkpatrick, ). The lack of difference in overall vascular epiphyte biomass with a difference in taxon richness among branch positions found in this study suggests that fewer species represent a greater proportion of the biomass in the outer branch positions and drier sites.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Differences in epiphyte biomass and community composition along landscape and within‐crown spatial scales

et al. 2019

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Vascular epiphytes contribute to the structural, compositional, and functional complexity of tropical montane cloud forests because of their high biomass, diversity, and ability to intercept and retain water and nutrients from atmospheric sources. However, human‐caused climate change and forest‐to‐pasture conversion are rapidly altering tropical montane cloud forests. Epiphyte communities may be particularly vulnerable to these changes because of their dependence on direct atmospheric inputs and host trees for survival. In Monteverde, Costa Rica, we measured vascular epiphyte biomass, community composition, and richness at two spatial scales: (1) along an elevation gradient spanning premontane forests to montane cloud forests and (2) within trees along branches from inner to outer crown positions. We also compared epiphyte biomass and distribution at these scales between two different land‐cover types, comparing trees in closed canopy forest to isolated trees in pastures. An ordination of epiphyte communities at the level of trees grouped forested sites above versus below the cloud base, and separated forest versus pasture trees. Species richness increased with increasing elevation and decreased from inner to outer branch positions. Although richness did not differ between land‐cover types, there were significant differences in community composition. The variability in epiphyte community organization between the two spatial scales and between land‐cover types underscores the potential complexity of epiphyte responses to climate and land‐cover changes. Abstract in Spanish is available with online material.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Broad zonation systems are often used to determine the location of an epiphyte within the host tree (i.e. Johansson zones, Johansson 1974;ter Steege & Cornelissen 1989;Sanger & Kirkpatrick 2015, 2017. While this is acceptable for describing broad patterns in epiphyte distributions, some finer scale partitioning of species along environmental gradients may be missed.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Only one community scale ecological study has been undertaken on vascular epiphytes in the Wet Tropics region of Australia (Sanger & Kirkpatrick 2017), a region with the highest number of species of epiphyte in the country. Indeed, very few studies have examined the ecology of Australia's vascular epiphytes anywhere (Wallace 1981;Cummings et al 2006;Freiberg & Turton 2007;Sanger & Kirkpatrick 2015, 2017. There has been no work on Australian vascular epiphytes that reports the relationships between the distribution of species and environmental variables using environmental data collected for individual plants.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The distribution of vascular epiphytes over gradients of light and humidity in north‐east Australian rainforest

Sanger

Kirkpatrick

2017

Austral Ecology

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Microclimatic conditions have a strong influence on the distribution of vascular epiphytes, among which orchids often occur in sunnier and more drought-prone situations than ferns. However, very few studies have looked at the distribution of ferns and orchids in Australian tropical rainforests. By using transmitted light measurements at the locations of individual epiphytes and vapour pressure deficit from the canopy and base of host trees, we were able to determine the patterns of light and humidity in the rainforest environment, and the responses of ferns and orchids to variation in the physical environments. We surveyed five sites, ranging from 800 to 1180 m in elevation in the lower montane rainforests of north-east Australia. Data loggers recorded the vapour pressure deficit (VPD) at the forest floor and canopy of each site. Light was correlated with height within the host tree and VPD differed significantly over position in the host tree and elevation. There was a strong partitioning of taxonomic groups over the light and VPD gradients. Orchids occurred in environments that had higher mean light levels and mean daily maximum VPD (27% and 0.43 kPa, respectively) than ferns (21% and 0.28 kPa). There was also strong microclimatic partitioning of species within taxonomic groups, suggesting that microclimatic factors play an important role in the realized niche spaces of epiphytes within the tropical Australian rainforest. Thus, the tested ecological generalizations made on tropical rainforest epiphytes apply in Australia.

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Fine partitioning of epiphyte habitat within Johansson zones in tropical Australian rain forest trees

Cited by 18 publications

References 36 publications

Low modularity and specialization in a commensalistic epiphyte–phorophyte network in a tropical cloud forest

Low modularity and specialization in a commensalistic epiphyte–phorophyte network in a tropical cloud forest

Differences in epiphyte biomass and community composition along landscape and within‐crown spatial scales

The distribution of vascular epiphytes over gradients of light and humidity in north‐east Australian rainforest

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