Surface roots as a new ecological zone for occurrence of vascular epiphytes: a case study on Pseudobombax trees on inselbergs

Couto, Dayvid Rodrigues; Francisco, Talitha Mayumi; Garbin, Mário Luís; Dias, Henrique Machado; Pereira, Maria Julia Salim; Neto, Luiz Menini; Pezzopane, José Eduardo Macedo

doi:10.1007/s11258-019-00976-3

Cited by 12 publications

(38 citation statements)

References 45 publications

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“…The distribution of the epiphyte species differed among the ecological zones of the phorophytes, with the highest abundance found on the external projections of the crown (Z4 and Z3), while the highest number of species was registered on the basal parts and on the internal crown (SR and Z2). This may be related to the less severe environmental conditions at these lower sites due to the shading of branches and leaves of the upper crown (Couto et al 2019), along with the presence of organic substrates that accumulate in these zones (Kr ömer et al 2007;Woods et al 2015;Zhao et al 2015;Couto et al 2019). Thus, we can expect that phorophyte species that have exposed roots on the rock surface are more important for vascular epiphytes on inselbergs, mainly accidental and facultative epiphytes, than those phorophytes that do not have this characteristic (Francisco et al 2018).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Material from all woody individuals was collected for identification and all were numbered and their total height and DBH were measured. Lithophytic trees and shrubs generally have surface roots on the rocky outcrops and this represents an important colonization point for epiphytes on inselbergs (Couto et al 2019). When an epiphyte species was encountered its position was classified in one of five different ecological zones on the phorophytes, following Couto et al (2019): surface roots (SR), trunk (Z1), lower crown (Z2), middle crown (Z3), and upper crown (Z4).…”

Section: Data Collectionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Lithophytic trees and shrubs generally have surface roots on the rocky outcrops and this represents an important colonization point for epiphytes on inselbergs (Couto et al 2019). When an epiphyte species was encountered its position was classified in one of five different ecological zones on the phorophytes, following Couto et al (2019): surface roots (SR), trunk (Z1), lower crown (Z2), middle crown (Z3), and upper crown (Z4). To evaluate epiphyte abundance, all individuals in each zone were recorded or when it was not possible to delimit each individual the group was counted as a stand (see Sanford 1968).…”

Section: Data Collectionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…the Rainforest stricto sensu), its floristic composition is strongly influenced by the surrounding forest core (Scarano 2009;Couto et al 2017;Francisco et al 2018). In the specific case of plant-plant interaction, woody species of inselbergs are important in providing structural support for distinct groups such as vascular epiphytes that find a refuge on these trees and shrub (Couto et al 2016;Francisco et al 2018;Couto et al 2019). However, vascular epiphytes are more abundant and diverse in the forest core that surround the inselbergs (i.e.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…We expected that the network had a modular vertical structure as a function of the vertical distribution pattern of the epiphytes; and (iii) is there evident stratification among the five ecological zones of the phorophytes? We presumed to observe stratification, even though the microclimatic variation from the base to the outer part of the crown is not as evident as in the surrounding forest communities, as has been observed by Couto et al (2019).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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

2022

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The properties of ecological networks help to understand the patterns of commensal interactions between epiphytes and phorophytes as well as the importance of each species in the structure of the interactions in the community. Consequently, understanding how these interactions occur is extremely important, especially on inselbergs, one of the most threatened ecosystems in the world. In this study, we used connectivity, specialization, nestedness and robustness to investigate the horizontal structure and modularity of the vertical structure in the epiphyte-phorophyte networks in woody vegetation on two inselbergs in the Atlantic Forest in southeastern Brazil. We found 113 phorophyte individuals in 13 species interacting with 4412 epiphyte individuals in 30 species, with a predominance of bromeliads, orchids and cactus. The networks had a nested horizontal structure, poor connectivity and low specialization. Using a modelling approach, these systems had low robustness when the phorophytes with more interactions were eliminated, being a fragile system in regard to local species loss, with 67% of the species restricted to Pseudobombax, a generalist phorophyte. There was little vertical modularity since many species of epiphytes were found in two or more modules, that we used to describe the vertical phorophyte zones. Highest species richness was found in the lower crown and on surface roots (mainly accidental epiphytes) while abundance had a different pattern, being highest in the upper crown, especially for the bromeliad Tillandsia loliacea. Our results suggest that both size (measured as DBH) as well as the species of phorophyte are important factors in the structuring of epiphyte-phorophyte networks on neotropical inselbergs woody vegetation.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Data Collectionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Data Collectionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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

2022

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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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Inselbergs from Brazilian Atlantic Forest: high biodiversity refuges of vascular epiphytes from Espírito Santo

et al. 2023

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Surface roots as a new ecological zone for occurrence of vascular epiphytes: a case study on Pseudobombax trees on inselbergs

Cited by 12 publications

References 45 publications

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

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

Accidental epiphytes: Ecological insights and evolutionary implications

Inselbergs from Brazilian Atlantic Forest: high biodiversity refuges of vascular epiphytes from Espírito Santo

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