Micro-site conditions of epiphytic orchids in a human impact gradient in Kathmandu valley, Nepal

Adhikari, Yagya P.; Fischer, Anton; Fischer, H

doi:10.1007/s11629-009-2262-1

Cited by 39 publications

(26 citation statements)

References 28 publications

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“…Altitude is one of the most important determinants of tree distribution due to its direct impact on the microclimate of the habitat (Adhikari et al, 2012a). In the present study importance values of species differed along the altitude.…”

Section: Forest Compositionmentioning

confidence: 55%

“…Forest ecosystems (structure, composition and diversity of the species) play also an important role in the global carbon budget as they sequester carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and act as huge C-pools (Canadell et al, 2007;Denman et al, 2007). Forest stands, forest structure and diversity are also important for canopy community (Adhikari et al, 2012a;Adhikari et al, 2015). Covering about one third of the earth's land surface, forest ecosystems are a major component in the proposed strategies for the mitigation of atmospheric CO 2 emissions (Richards and Stokes, 2004;Neilson et al, 2006).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Structure, Composition and Diversity of Forest Along the Altitudinal Gradient in the Himalayas, Nepal

Pandey¹,

Adhikari²,

Weber³

2016

Appl Ecol Env Res

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Abstract. The aim of this study was to assess the structure (stem density, height, and basal area), composition and diversity in relatively undisturbed forests along an altitudinal gradient from 2000 m asl to 3900 m asl of Langtang National Park in Central Himalaya. The forest stands along the altitudinal gradient were studied on 20 sampling plots of two sub zones of the Temperate and Subalpine zone. Tsuga dumosa was the ecologically most important species in the Upper and the Lower Subalpine zone with high important value index (IVI = 124.31). Quercus semecarpifolia and Lithocarpus elegans were the ecologically most important species in the Upper and the Lower Temperate zone with IVI of 66.64 and 46.39 respectively. Similarly, indicator species' analysis was performed to know the preferences of tree species within the vegetation zones. Rhododendron campanulatum is highly significant (p < 0.001) and Tsuga dumosa significant (0.05 < p < 0.01) in the Upper Subalpine zone, whereas Rhododendron anthopogon prefers the Lower Subalpine zone with significant value (0.01 < p < 0.001). Only the Quercus semecarpifolia prefers the Upper Temperate zone. There was no specific trend in the structure along the altitudinal gradient. The Shannon diversity index ranged from 1.10 to 2.34 with the highest value in the Lower Temperate zone. Both Simpson index (0.89) and Evenness (0.86) were high in the Lower Temperate zone. From this study it is concluded that the contribution of forest composition in terms of species richness and Shannon diversity is significant in Lower Temperate zone. The Upper Subalpine zone has less diversity and may also be less endangered by human impact but may profit from climate change in the future.

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Section: Forest Compositionmentioning

confidence: 55%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Structure, Composition and Diversity of Forest Along the Altitudinal Gradient in the Himalayas, Nepal

Pandey¹,

Adhikari²,

Weber³

2016

Appl Ecol Env Res

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“…The plants of this family are particularly vulnerable to anthropogenic disturbances, such as habitat loss, predatory collection and exotic species introduction (Martinelli & Moraes 2013;Endres Júnior et al 2015a;Parthibhan et al 2015). Their restricted distributions and high environmental specificities and endemism make orchids particularly vulnerable to habitat loss (Adhikari et al 2012;Martinelli & Moraes 2013). Nevertheless, studies on ephiphyte community dynamics have not shown an ecological pattern influenced by edge effects, probably due to the low-density of orchid populations (Bernardi & Budke 2010;Bataghin et al 2012;Bianchi & Kersten 2014).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Survival and development of reintroduced Cattleya intermedia plants related to abiotic factors and herbivory at the edge and in the interior of a forest fragment in South Brazil

et al. 2018

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Biotic and abiotic factors, such as luminosity, temperature, air humidity, and herbivory, can affect the establishment of reintroduced plants in natural habitats. This study evaluated the effects of these factors on the survival and growth of Cattleya intermedia plants reintroduced into a forest fragment in South Brazil. Plants of C. intermedia were obtained from in vitro seed germination in asymbiotic culture. Eighty-eight plants were reintroduced at both the forest edge and forest interior. Plants with greater shoot heights and number of leaves and pseudobulbs suffered more damage from herbivores at the edge. There were no significant differences in morphometric parameters between damaged and non-damaged plants in the interior. Tenthecoris bicolor, Helionothrips errans, Ithomiola nepos, Molomea magna and Coleoptera larvae damaged C. intermedia. Luminosity was higher at the edge, while air humidity and temperature were the same in both environments. Herbivory associated with abiotic factors increased plant mortality in the interior, while abiotic factors were determinative of plant survival at the edge. Luminosity is important to the survival of reintroduced epiphytic orchids, and herbivory affects the success of reintroduction.

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“…The diversity and abundance of epiphytic orchids in different land use types are influenced by several variables including elevation, precipitation rhythm, bark rugosity, bark pH and sunlight intensity (Callaway et al, 2002;Adhikari et al, 2012a;b). Some orchids are generalists but others have very specific requirements, e.g.…”

Section: Identifying Habitat Requirements For Conservation Of Epiphytmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The framework will be based on existing knowledge of epiphytic orchids combined with what we have learned from our own studies on anthropogenic impacts on epiphytic orchid populations in the Kathmandu Valley, Nepal, in the central Himalayas (Adhikari et al, 2012a). Specifically, we ask the questions: How can existing populations of epiphytic orchids be managed under anthropogenic disturbances?…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sustainable Conservation Perspectives for Epiphytic Orchids in the Central Himalayas, Nepal

2015

AEER

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Abstract. Anthropogenic disturbances are major drivers of biodiversity loss. This is especially true for subtropical and tropical forest ecosystems. Epiphytes are plants that grow upon another plant (often trees) and, thus, fundamentally depend on their hosts. Epiphytic plants are diverse and can create important microcosms for many other organisms, including micro-organisms, insects, birds and mammals, which are rarely encountered on the floor. We identified the main habitat requirements for the conservation of epiphytic orchids and we outline key areas to focus on when designing management strategies for their protection and sustainable utilization. This approach is based on a review of the literature, as well as our own research on habitat requirements and the distribution of epiphytic orchids along a gradient from natural habitats to single trees in urban areas in the Kathmandu Valley, Nepal. Key areas to focus on for the sustainable conservation and utilization of epiphytic orchids are (i) habitat protection, (ii) habitat restoration, and (iii) the socio-economic relevance (utilization to fundraising) of conservation. While remnants of natural habitats are indispensable for the conservation of epiphytic orchid communities, groups of native trees in urban settings can still serve as stepping stones for epiphytic orchids. Therefore, the conservation of even small patches of primary forest within agricultural land areas or single trees within religious park complexes is crucial for the continual existence of epiphytic orchid populations in urban areas. Finally, we propose management concepts for the long-term maintenance of high epiphytic diversity. This framework has been developed for epiphytic orchids in the Himalayas, but can be more generally applied to other groups of epiphytes and other regions in the tropics and subtropics.

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Micro-site conditions of epiphytic orchids in a human impact gradient in Kathmandu valley, Nepal

Cited by 39 publications

References 28 publications

Structure, Composition and Diversity of Forest Along the Altitudinal Gradient in the Himalayas, Nepal

Structure, Composition and Diversity of Forest Along the Altitudinal Gradient in the Himalayas, Nepal

Survival and development of reintroduced Cattleya intermedia plants related to abiotic factors and herbivory at the edge and in the interior of a forest fragment in South Brazil

Sustainable Conservation Perspectives for Epiphytic Orchids in the Central Himalayas, Nepal

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