Role of spatial and environmental factors in structuring vascular epiphyte communities in two neotropical ecosystems

Commensalistic epiphyte–phorophyte networks in woody vegetation of tropical inselbergs: Patterns of organization and structure

“…reveal themselves as important phorophytes within the Atlantic Forest domain (Francisco et al 2019), including the inselbergs (Francisco et al 2018). This reinforces the hypothesis that specific characteristics of each phorophyte (e.g., species, age, type of bark, water-holding capacity of the bark, canopy shape, DBH, among others) may be important for colonization by epiphytes (Callaway et al 2002;Mehltreter et al 2005;Alves et al 2008;Wagner et al 2015;Francisco et al 2021). According to Francisco et al (2018), smaller phorophyte species host a few exclusive species and a subset of the epiphyte community that is observed on larger species, thus, the maintenance of the epiphytic flora on the inselbergs depends on both types of phorophytes.…”

“…However, specialist epiphytes, including species at risk of extinction (see Tables 1 and 2), were observed only on the lithophyte tree Pseudobombax. Thus, on rocky environments, phorophytes with adequate physical characteristics (e.g., larger size) and architecture (e.g., surface roots on the rock) (Couto et al 2019;Francisco et al 2021), will provide the epiphytes with greater survival conditions in this unique vegetation type. In addition, because the rocky outcrops do not have agricultural aptitude, they have been preserved from human impact and have kept their refugial character across generations (Couto et al 2016).…”

“…2019; Francisco et al . 2021), will provide the epiphytes with greater survival conditions in this unique vegetation type. In addition, because the rocky outcrops do not have agricultural aptitude, they have been preserved from human impact and have kept their refugial character across generations (Couto et al .…”

“…2018; Francisco et al . 2021). In each transect all vascular epiphytes on trees and shrubs with DBH ≥5 cm were recorded.…”

“…On each inselberg we established 10 linear transects measuring 50 × 2 m (adapted from Gentry 1988), successfully used for structural studies of the vascular epiphyte community in tropical inselbergs (Francisco et al 2018;Francisco et al 2021). In each transect all vascular epiphytes on trees and shrubs with DBH ≥5 cm were recorded.…”