Diversity and host tree preferences of vascular epiphytes and vines in a temperate rainforest in southern Chile

2003 ◽  
Vol 51 (4) ◽  
pp. 381 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alejandro A. Muñoz ◽  
Paulina Chacón ◽  
Fernanda Pérez ◽  
Elizabeth S. Barnert ◽  
Juan J. Armesto
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Floristic Composition ◽  
Abundant Species ◽  
Tree Size ◽  
Host Tree ◽  
Southern Chile ◽  
Frequency Distributions ◽  
Trunk Diameter ◽  
Vascular Epiphytes

Vines and epiphytes contribute importantly to the biodiversity of temperate rainforests of southern South America. However, compared with their tropical counterparts, these functional groups have received less attention. We evaluated diversity, floristic composition and relative abundance of vascular epiphytes and vines within a humid temperate forest in northern Chiloé Island, southern Chile. We assessed whether epiphyte and vine species exhibit preferences among host tree species and tested whether species richness on tree hosts differs from that expected by chance, by comparing observed frequencies of occurrence (FO) and species richness with randomly simulated frequency distributions generated under the assumption of no epiphyte preferences. Finally, we tested for associations of epiphyte and vine species with host tree size (trunk diameter at breast height). Eleven species of ferns and nine angiosperms (seven vines, one epiphytic angiosperm and one shrub) were recorded growing epiphytically in a sample of 499 trees. The most abundant species were three vines, Luzuriaga polyphylla (Hook.) Macbr., Griselinia racemosa (Phil.) Taub. and Mitraria coccinea Cav., and five species of filmy ferns (Hymenophyllaceae). Most epiphytes and vines (65%) showed preference for one or two tree species, with seven species being overrepresented on Podocarpus nubigena Lindl. hosts and 10 underrepresented on Drimys winteri J.R. et G.Forster. Epiphyte and vine species richness was significantly lower than expected by chance on D. winteri and higher than expected on Nothofagus nitida (Phil.) Krasser. Three epiphytic ferns showed preferences for large-sized trees, while frequency of occurrence of three common vines was independent of host tree size.

scholarly journals Persistent Effects of Historical Selective Logging on a Vascular Epiphyte Assemblage in the Forest Canopy of the Western Ghats, India

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. S. Seshadri ◽  
R. Ganesan ◽  
Soubadra M. Devy
Keyword(s):  
Tree Species ◽  
Western Ghats ◽  
Forest Canopy ◽  
Selective Logging ◽  
Host Tree ◽  
Vascular Epiphytes ◽  
Host Tree Species ◽  
Logged Forest ◽  
The Western Ghats ◽  
Vascular Epiphyte

Forest canopies have been dubbed the last biological frontier and continue to remain underexplored. Vascular epiphytes form a rich assemblage of plants within the forest canopy and apart from sustaining diverse taxa, they also fulfill critical ecological functions. Vascular epiphytes are particularly sensitive to perturbations of microclimate and microhabitat within the canopy, especially from anthropogenic changes such as logging. The forests of the megadiverse Western Ghats in India harbor a rich assemblage of vascular epiphytes, but their ecology has not been examined systematically. We compared the diversity, abundance, and composition of a vascular epiphyte assemblage between an unlogged and a historically selectively logged forest in the southern Western Ghats, India, and identified factors affecting the epiphyte assemblage. Canopies of 100 trees each in selectively logged and unlogged forests were accessed using the single-rope technique. We found 20 species of vascular epiphytes with the assemblage dominated by members of Orchidaceae. The diversity and abundance of epiphytes were significantly greater in the selectively logged forest. One host tree, Cullenia exarillata, supported the greatest number of epiphytes in both forest stands. The niche widths of epiphyte species, computed with host tree species as a resource, were similar between the two stands but a greater number of species pairs overlapped in the selectively logged forest. Overall, epiphyte abundance was negatively associated with unlogged forests. Host tree species, tree height, and presence of moss on branches were positively associated with the abundance of epiphytes. Despite being ecologically important, no study has thus far examined the impact of selective logging on the epiphyte assemblage in the Western Ghats. Our findings contribute to the knowledge of vascular epiphytes from South and Southeast Asia and set the stage for future research and conservation.

scholarly journals Edge-Interior Disparities in Tree Species and Structural Composition of the Kilengwe Forest in Morogoro Region, Tanzania

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Sylvester Kacholi
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Anthropogenic Activities ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Abundant Species ◽  
Forest Edge ◽  
Structural Composition ◽  
Forest Interior ◽  
Contrasting Habitats ◽  
Brachystegia Spiciformis

A survey to determine the variation in species and structural composition of trees along the edge-interior gradient was done in the Kilengwe forest in Morogoro region, Tanzania. The forest was categorized into three habitats, namely, edge (0–100 m), intermediate (100–200 m), and interior (>200 m) depending on the distance from the forest margin. A total of six plots of 0.04 ha each were randomly placed in each of the habitats whereby all trees with DBH ≥ 10 cm were inventoried. A total of 67 species representing 26 families were recorded. Fabaceae was the most speciose and abundant family. Brachystegia spiciformis was the most abundant species. Of the recorded species, 10.45% were common in the three habitats while 8.95%, 13.43%, and 26.86% occurred exclusively to the edge, intermediate, and interior habitats, respectively. The forest interior was significantly rich in terms of species richness, diversity, density, and basal area than the edge and intermediate habitats. The edge had significantly higher number of stumps/ha. In summary, the results suggest that edge/intermediate and interior are contrasting habitats in terms of tree species richness, diversity, and structural composition. Moreover, the forest edge and intermediate habitats were found to be characterized by high anthropogenic activities compared to the forest interior habitat.

scholarly journals Spider assemblages on tree trunks in primeval deciduous forests of the Białowieża National Park in eastern Poland

2018 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 75-85
Author(s):  
Marzena Stańska ◽  
Tomasz Stański ◽  
Joanna Hawryluk
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
National Park ◽  
Riparian Forest ◽  
Abundant Species ◽  
Deciduous Forests ◽  
Forest Types ◽  
Numerous Species ◽  
Białowieża National Park ◽  
Spider Abundance

We analysed spider assemblages of tree trunks in an oak-lime-hornbeam forest, an ash-alder riparian forest and an alder carr in the primeval stands of the Białowieża National Park. Spiders were collected from June 1998 to October 2000 using bark traps. A total of 2,182 spider individuals, belonging to 43 species and 14 families was collected. The forest types differed in the spider abundance and species richness. The differences probably resulted from different tree species and different environmental conditions in the forest types. The most numerous species in oak-lime-hornbeam forest and in alder carr was Amaurobius fenestralis, whereas Anyphaena accentuatawas the most abundant species in ash-alder riparian forest. Four species (Amaurobius fenestralis, Anyphaena accentuata, Segestria senoculataand Neriene montana) were collected in each month (March – October), whereas most species were recorded sporadically or in some periods.

scholarly journals SPECIES RICHNESS AND ABUNDANCE OF LOW-TRUNK HERB EPIPHYTES IN RELATION TO HOST TREE SIZE AND BARK TYPE, EASTERN AMAZONIA

2015 ◽  
Vol 39 (3) ◽  
pp. 457-466 ◽  
Author(s):  
José Leonardo Lima Magalhães ◽  
Maria Aparecida Lopes
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Vertical Distribution ◽  
Tropical Rainforest ◽  
Tree Size ◽  
Host Tree ◽  
Positive Correlation ◽  
Suitable Substrate ◽  
Composition And Structure ◽  
Species Richness And Abundance ◽  
Herb Species

ABSTRACTThe composition and structure of the low-trunk epiphytic herb assembly as well as its vertical distribution were studied. DBH of host tree and bark type influence species richness and abundance in a nonlooded lowland tropical rainforest in Eastern Amazonia (1º57’36"S 51º36’55"W). A total of 37 epiphytic herb species were identified, among which 60% were Araceae. Species richness and abundance of epiphytic herbs showed tendency of positive correlation with host tree size and no relationships with bark type. Low positive correlation may be a by-product of the predominance of trees with smaller diameter in our sample rather than a reflection of neutral relationship. The absence of relationships with bark type may be partially explained by the large number of secondary, generalist, hemi-epiphytes and also may reflect the absence of suitable substrate in trees with smaller diameter.

scholarly journals Composición florística, estructura y biomasa de los bosques de pino-encino en la reserva Santa Rosa, Tisey, Estelí, Nicaragua

2017 ◽  
Vol 65 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Pablo Siles G. ◽  
Patricia Talavera ◽  
Flavia Andino Rugama ◽  
Lester Alaniz ◽  
William Ortiz González
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Floristic Composition ◽  
Abundant Species ◽  
Stem Volume ◽  
Oak Forest ◽  
Altitude Gradient ◽  
The North ◽  
Natural Reserve ◽  
Pinus Spp ◽  
Tree Composition

The pine-oak forest is distributed from Central Mexico to the North of Nicaragua and represent an important ecosystem for conservation in Mesoamerica. In Nicaragua, several protected areas were established for the preservation of this ecosystem, such as the natural reserve Tisey-Estanzuela; however, this forest is considered susceptible to degradation, due to increasing deforestation and agricultural activities, besides being a narrow ecological niche (700 to 1500 masl). We studied the floristic composition, forest structure and biomass along an altitude gradient dominated by Pinus-Quercus in forest stands on the highlands of Esteli, Northern Nicaragua. A vegetation survey on 15 plots (0.1 ha = 20x50 m) was carried out to identify patterns of tree density and diversity, and carbon stocks. In each plot, all the woody stems with diameter greater or equal to 2.5 cm were identified to species and the diameter at breast height and total height were measured. A total amount of 1 081 individuals of 24 species (17 families and 21 genera) were registered, being Q. sapotifolia, P. maximinoi, C. vicentina, M. coriacea and S. gladulosum the most abundant species representing 92% of the individuals. Three forest associations were defined based on the abundance and dominance of Q. sapotifolia, P. maximinoi and the other species, two of those associations were dominated by Pinus (pine forest and pine-oak forest) at altitudes between 1 300 to 1 400 masl, while the third association, dominated by oak and other species (Cletha vicentina, Myrsine coriaceae and Sapium glandulosum), was found mainly at altitudes higher than 1 400 masl. Tree composition and species richness was influenced significantly by the dominance of Pinus, showing a negative correlation between the dominance and species richness of broadleaved trees other than Quercus spp. with the dominance of Pinus spp. (P < 0.001). However, the association dominated by Pinus, presented higher stem volume and biomass compared with other associations. The results from this study suggest that stands with both, an oak- or oak-pine-dominated canopy, presented the highest diversity, while Pinus dominated stands presented lower tree diversity, but higher aerial biomass and carbon storage. For this reason, we suggest that the strategies for ecosystem service payments as carbon sequestration or biodiversity conservation, must take into account differences in the type of forest associations found in this work. 

scholarly journals Floristic composition, structure and environmental characterization of Cyathea costaricensis population in a remnant cloud forest in Mexico

2021 ◽  
Vol 69 (3) ◽  
pp. 1079-1097
Author(s):  
Miguel Olvera-Vargas ◽  
Blanca L. Figueroa-Rangel ◽  
Christiam Solís Robles
Keyword(s):  
Population Structure ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Dominant Species ◽  
Cloud Forest ◽  
Floristic Composition ◽  
Wilcoxon Test ◽  
Canopy Openness ◽  
Importance Value Index ◽  
Importance Value ◽  
Frequency Distributions

Introduction: Tree ferns are significant components of temperate, tropical and subtropical forests, contributing to shape complex forest stand structures. Objectives: 1) to describe the population structure of Cyathea costaricensis in a remnant cloud forest of West-central Mexico; 2) to characterize and relate the floristic composition and the structure of the most important tree species associated to the C. costaricensis population and; 3) to describe the environment where C. costaricensis occurs. Methods: We estimated the Importance Value Index (IVI) to select the most important canopy-dominant species associated to C. costaricensis; we constructed height and Diameter at Breast Height (DBH) frequency distributions for those selected species according to IVI as well as for C. costaricensis population; we computed the asymmetry of the frequency distributions through the coefficient of skewness and the probability density function via the Kernel density estimation. We tested for differences between canopy-dominant tree species and C. costaricensis population structure by the non-parametric Wilcoxon rank sum test. Results: C. costaricensis individuals presented the smallest heights and intermediate DBH sizes as compared with the canopy-dominant species, with statistically significant differences for height but not for DBH according to the Wilcoxon test. Most of the tree fern individuals were located in uneven terrains and over the base slope of the terrain; canopy openness and Total Radiation Under the Canopy values were similar to those reported for Cyathea species elsewhere. Conclusions: We confirm the hypothesis of comparable structure between the canopy-dominant species and the C. costaricensis population only for DBH; on the contrary, for trunk height, there were statistically significant differences; the small heights of C. costaricensis suggest their coexistence in the understory through sheltering from the taller canopy-dominants. Mostly all individuals of C. costaricensis were confined to local environmental conditions, particularly to physiography.

scholarly journals Relationship Underlying Seedlings Composition and Abundance of Mature Tree Species at Coral Rag Forest of Mnarani Ruins

2020 ◽  
pp. 8-17
Author(s):  
Mercy Jebiwott Korir ◽  
Joyce Mnyazi Jefwa ◽  
Michael Ajanja Sakha
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Abundant Species ◽  
Anthropogenic Factors ◽  
Adansonia Digitata ◽  
Mature Trees ◽  
R Software ◽  
Tropical Regions ◽  
Rich Diversity ◽  
Exotic Tree

The tropical regions have a rich diversity of tree species which provide the basis for a number of different forms and scales of economic activity. This study therefore was conducted with an aim of enhancing the knowledge of tree species diversity (seedlings and mature trees), and their relationship at the site. The experiment was laid out in three transects and quadrants in the forest: for mature trees the transects measured 100 m by 20 m, whereas for the seedlings quadrants measured 5 m by 5 m. That is along the ocean (T1), along human settlement (T2) and along the forest path (T3). Data was collected by counting mature trees species and seedlings. Data was analysed using R software 3.4.4 and results showed that a total of 22 tree species were recorded in the forest. In T1, the highest (22) species richness was recorded with 4 tree species restricted to the site (Bourellia nemoralis, Flueggia virosa, Turraea wakefieldii and Eryithrinia abyssinica). Combretum schumanii was most abundant in mature trees (89) followed by Lecaniodiscus fraxinifolius (36), Ochna thomasiana (21) and Adansonia digitata (14). All the above abundant species except Adanosnia digitata (2) were also abundant in seedlings with (189), (11) and (21) seedlings respectively. In T2, 9 tree species were recorded. Azadirachta indica was the most dominant in both mature trees (40) and seedlings (261) while Sterculia appendiculata recorded the lowest (1) and (0) respectively. T3 was rich with three exotic tree species namely Delonyx regia, Azadirachta digitata and Lannea schweinfurthii. Lecaniodiscus fraxinifolius was the most common with (35) followed by Combretum schumanii (11). While the seedlings were (23) and (67) respectively.  In conclusion, it was evident that anthropogenic factors reduced species richness and the corag rag forest had more indeginous tree species and good seed recruitment.

scholarly journals PROTALIUM ASSOCIATION WITH VARIOUS EPIPHYTE GROUPS IN THREE TYPES OF HOST TREE

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 150-156
Author(s):  
Agung Sedayu ◽  
Rosa Maulivia ◽  
Hilda Shavina ◽  
Nurlaelatul Hilaliah ◽  
Muhammad Fadhil Haritsah ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Host Species ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Sampling Method ◽  
Positive Association ◽  
Negative Association ◽  
Host Tree ◽  
Purposive Sampling ◽  
Vascular Epiphytes ◽  
Host Trees

AbstrakSalah satu kelompok epifit vaskular penting adalah paku-pakuan dengan fase awal pertumbuhannya disebut sebagai protalium. Tumbuhnya protalium di suatu lokasi menjadi penentu bahwa lokasi tersebut potensial ditumbuhi paku-pakuan dewasa. Asosiasi antara protalium dengan tumbuhan lainnya mungkin bermanfaat untuk menentukan potensi satu jenis inang sebagai tempat hidup dari banyak jenis tumbuhan epifit. Oleh karena itu, dilakukan studi asosiasi antara protalium dengan paku dewasa, lumut, liken dan epifit spermatofita pada tiga jenis pohon inang, yaitu Archontophoenix alexandrae, Bichofia javanica dan Dacrycarpus imbricatus. Metode yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini yaitu Purposive Sampling untuk menentukan tiga jenis pohon inang dengan besar masing-masing diameter pohon (DBH) adalah 30–100 cm. Pengambilan sampel protalium dan epifit vaskular lain diambil pada masing-masing zonasi menggunakan milimeter block. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan terdapat lima kombinasi, yaitu protalium dengan paku, lumut dengan epifit spermatofita, protalium dengan epifit spermatofita, protalium dengan lumut dan paku dengan lumut. Asosiasi positif dengan nilai tertinggi adalah 23,12, dua kombinasi yang memiliki asosiasi negatif ialah liken dengan lumut dan antara epifit spermatofita dengan liken, dan tiga kombinasi yang tidak berasosiasi ialah protalium dengan liken, paku dengan liken, dan paku dengan epifit spermatofita. Hal tersebut menunjukkan bahwa protalium berbagi karakter habitatnya dengan tiga kelompok tersebut dan tidak dengan kelompok lainnya. Penelitian ini sangat berguna untuk mengetahui jenis pohon dan karakteristik lingkungan yang sesuai untuk pertumbuhan protalium.Abstract One of important epiphyte vascular groups is ferns which the beginning phase of their growth is called protalium. Protalium’s growth in one location becomes indicator that the location has a potential to be grown by mature ferns. Association between protalium and other plants may become beneficial to determine the potential of a host species as the host of many epiphytes. Therefore, research about association between protalium and mature ferns, mosses, lichens, spermatophyte epiphyte also was conducted on three species of host tree there are Archontophoenix alexandrae, Bichofia javanica and Dacrycarpus imbricatus. Purposive sampling method was used in this research to determine three types of host trees with the size of 30–100 cm for each tree diametre. Sampling of protalium and other vascular epiphytes was taken in each zonasing using milimeter block. The research showed there are five combinations, protalium with ferns, mosses with spermatophyte epiphytes, protalium with spermatophyte epiphytes, protalium with mosses and fern with mosses. Positive association with the highest value is 23.12, two combinations with negative association are lichen with mosses and spermatophyte epiphyte with lichens, three combinations that aren’t associated, protalium with lichens, ferns with lichens and ferns with spermatophyte epiphyte. It showed that protalium shares its habitat character with those three groups, not with other group. This study has valuable benefits of knowing tree species and enviromental characteristic that are suitable for protalium growth.

scholarly journals Selective logging in tropical forests decreases the robustness of liana–tree interaction networks to the loss of host tree species

2016 ◽  
Vol 283 (1826) ◽  
pp. 20153008 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ainhoa Magrach ◽  
Rebecca A. Senior ◽  
Andrew Rogers ◽  
Deddy Nurdin ◽  
Suzan Benedick ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Forest Degradation ◽  
Species Interaction ◽  
Selective Logging ◽  
Interaction Networks ◽  
Host Tree ◽  
Host Tree Species ◽  
Local Species ◽  
New Type

Selective logging is one of the major drivers of tropical forest degradation, causing important shifts in species composition. Whether such changes modify interactions between species and the networks in which they are embedded remain fundamental questions to assess the ‘health’ and ecosystem functionality of logged forests. We focus on interactions between lianas and their tree hosts within primary and selectively logged forests in the biodiversity hotspot of Malaysian Borneo. We found that lianas were more abundant, had higher species richness, and different species compositions in logged than in primary forests. Logged forests showed heavier liana loads disparately affecting slow-growing tree species, which could exacerbate the loss of timber value and carbon storage already associated with logging. Moreover, simulation scenarios of host tree local species loss indicated that logging might decrease the robustness of liana–tree interaction networks if heavily infested trees (i.e. the most connected ones) were more likely to disappear. This effect is partially mitigated in the short term by the colonization of host trees by a greater diversity of liana species within logged forests, yet this might not compensate for the loss of preferred tree hosts in the long term. As a consequence, species interaction networks may show a lagged response to disturbance, which may trigger sudden collapses in species richness and ecosystem function in response to additional disturbances, representing a new type of ‘extinction debt’.

scholarly journals Sinecological analysis of the montane rain forrest of Omiltemi, Guerrero

2017 ◽  
pp. 31
Author(s):  
Jorge Meave ◽  
Miguel Angel Soto ◽  
Luz María Calvo-Irabien ◽  
Horacio Paz-Hernández ◽  
Susana Valencia-Avalos
Keyword(s):  
Forest Structure ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Floristic Composition ◽  
Abundant Species ◽  
Structural Features ◽  
Tropical Species ◽  
Mountain Forest ◽  
Eastern United States ◽  
Important Species

The floristic composition, structure, and texture of 1 ha of mesophytic mountain forest in Omiltemi, Guerrero, is described. With 138 species of vascular plants in the plot, this forest is very rich, with epiphytes, trees and herbs comprising the most diverse growth forms. The geographic affinities of this forest are diverse; many elements are shared with the andean-mesoamerican regions, and others are present in the deciduous forests of eastern United States. The Omiltemi forest is similar to other communities from western Mexico, and many of the endemic elements of this region occur in Omiltemi. This forest is structurally dense, approximately 24 m high, without a well-defined stratification. The canopy is made up mainly by Carpinus caroliniana and Quercus uxoris; Pinus ayacahuite is an emergent tree. The understory is rich in small-statured tree species. The horizontal distributions of the trees were analyzed, and only two understory species had a clumped pattern. Density is 2,096 trees/ha, total basal area is 49.82 m2/ha and cover is 263.8% The most important! species in the forest structure are those reaching the canopy. Two trends in the diametric structures of tree species populations were found: 1) with classes of small sizes having high frequencies, and gradually decreasing towards classes of larger sizes, and 2) with classes of intermediate sizes having lower frequencies than classes of smaller and larger sizes. The internal spatial variation of the forest structure was analyzed using multivariate methods. Tropical species were usually found in more humid places, while species of temperate affinities occurred in more exposed sites. Five floristic groups were recognized, and their associated structural features are described. This forest bears leaves throughout the year, although some of the most abundant species of the canopy are deciduous. The textural characteristics of pollination, dispersal and tree architecture are described. In addition, the mixed character of the mesophytic mountain forest of Omiltemi is discussed and related to its marginal geographic location.

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