Moss and vascular epiphyte distributions over host tree and elevation gradients in Australian subtropical rainforest

2015 ◽  
Vol 63 (8) ◽  
pp. 696 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer C. Sanger ◽  
James B. Kirkpatrick
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
New South ◽  
Host Tree ◽  
Elevation Gradients ◽  
Vascular Epiphytes ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Main Factors ◽  
Epiphyte Species ◽  
Vascular Epiphyte

There is a lack of comprehensive studies on the ecology of epiphytic flora in Australia’s rainforests. Globally, rainforest epiphyte distribution is determined by three main factors: micro-climate within the host tree; landscape changes in macro-climate; and the characteristics of the host tree. We tested the influence of these factors on the species richness and composition of vascular and non-vascular epiphytes in the subtropical rainforest of the Border Ranges in New South Wales. Vascular epiphytes and mosses were recorded in situ from four height zones, with 10 trees sampled at five elevations between 300 and 1100 m above sea level (asl). Vascular epiphyte species richness was highest in the inner canopy (6.3 species), whereas mosses tended to have a uniform distribution over the height zones (3.8–5.0 species). We found that both moss and vascular epiphyte species richness peaked at mid-elevations (500–700 m), with moss richness at a slightly higher elevation than the vascular epiphytes. Host tree characteristics (bark roughness, host size) explained very little of the species composition or richness of epiphytes. Strong patterns in species richness and composition over host tree and elevation gradients suggest that moisture, temperature and light may be the major influences on epiphyte distributions in the Border Ranges.

scholarly journals Vascular Epiphyte Assemblages on Isolated Trees along an Elevational Gradient in Southwest Panama

Diversity ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 49
Author(s):  
Calixto Rodríguez Quiel ◽  
Gerhard Zotz
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Elevational Gradient ◽  
Local Conditions ◽  
Vascular Epiphytes ◽  
Species Richness And Diversity ◽  
Isolated Trees ◽  
Independent Variable ◽  
Epiphyte Species ◽  
Vascular Epiphyte

Ongoing destruction of tropical forests makes isolated pasture trees potentially important for the persistence of original forest dwellers such as many vascular epiphytes. We studied epiphyte assemblages on 100 isolated trees at ten pasture sites in southwest Panama along an elevational gradient ranging from 140 to 1240 m a.s.l. We analysed epiphyte species composition (richness, similarity) and registered climate and host trait variables of potential influence on their occurrence. We found a total of 5876 epiphyte individuals belonging to 148 species. Epiphyte abundance, species richness and diversity all varied about 4-fold among the 10 sites, with a high similarity of epiphyte assemblages among sites. Two sites at 870 and 1050 m a.s.l. did not fit into the overall elevational trend of increased abundance, species richness and diversity. However, all three measures were significantly correlated with humidity as the independent variable. This highlights that a gradient in humidity, and not elevation as such, is responsible for the typical elevational changes in epiphyte assemblages, so that special local conditions may lead to deviations from expected patterns. Our documentation of current elevational diversity patterns also provides a baseline for the study of long-term changes in epiphyte assemblages in anthropogenically modified landscapes.

Evidence of High Sea Level during Isotope Stage 5c in Queensland, Australia

1985 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 103-114 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. W. Pickett ◽  
C. H. Thompson ◽  
R. A. Kelley ◽  
D. Roman
Keyword(s):  
Sea Level ◽  
New South ◽  
Good Condition ◽  
Coastal Dunes ◽  
Intertidal Sediments ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
Maximum Period ◽  
High Dune

Thirty-nine species of scleractinian corals have been recovered from under a high dune on the western (mainland) side of North Stradbroke Island, eastern Australia. The corals are associated with thin intertidal sediments and their good condition implies burial in situ and preservation in a saturated zone. Most likely this occurred as the coast prograded and a large dune advanced into the littoral zone, burying intertidal sediments and coral. The species assemblage indicates a sheltered environment but one open to the ocean without wide fluctuations in salinity. Three species yielded a mean 230Th/234U age of 105,000 yr B.P. which is significantly younger than the nearest Pleistocene corals at Evans Head, New South Wales. The corals provide evidence of a sea stand near present sea level during isotope Stage 5c, which is considerably higher than previously suggested for this period. Their good condition implies that the overlying parabolic dune is of comparable age and formed during that high stand of sea level. Also, the isotope age provides a maximum period for the development of giant podzols in the podzol chronosequences on coastal dunes in southern Queensland.

The butterfly fauna of the Griffith district, a fragmented semi-arid landscape in inland southern New South Wales

2006 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 140 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael F. Braby ◽  
Ted D. Edwards
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Arid Zone ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Summer Rainfall ◽  
Wagga Wagga ◽  
Fragmented Landscape ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Butterfly Fauna ◽  
Semi Arid

Thirty-three species of butterflies are recorded from the Griffith district in the semi-arid zone of inland southern New South Wales. The butterfly community comprises the following structure: 19 species (58%) are resident; 7 (21 %) are regular immigrants; 2 (6%) are irregular immigrants; 5 (15%) are vagrants. Except for a few migratory species, most occur in relatively low abundance. Lack of similar studies elsewhere in western New South Wales precludes generalizations regarding the species richness, composition and structure of semi-arid butterfly communities. Comparison of the butterfly fauna with that from five other inland regions on the slopes and foothills of the Great Diving Range, revealed that the Griffith district is most similar in species richness and composition to that of Deniliquin and to a lesser extent Wagga Wagga and Cowra in the south, than with two regions in the higher summer rainfall area of the north of the State (Coonabarabran-Mendooran, Narrabri-Bellata). Overall, the butterfly fauna of inland New South Wales (total of 73 species, of which 49 occur in the southern regions) is depauperate compared with that recorded from the coastal/subcoastal areas east of the Great Dividing Range. Attention is drawn to the conservation significance of several vegetation types and habitat remnants in the Griffith district. Much of the native vegetation in the district has been extensively modified since European settlement due to excessive clearing for agriculture, resulting in a highly fragmented landscape for the conservation of native flora and fauna. With the exception of the lycaenid Candalides hyacinthinus Simplex, which is considered threatened locally, there is a general absence of narrow range endemic butterflies associated with mallee-heathland or mallee-woodland, possibly as a result of widespread land clearing practices of mallee vegetation in the past.

Field measurements of nitrogenase activity in soils amended with wheat straw

1983 ◽  
Vol 34 (6) ◽  
pp. 725 ◽  
Author(s):  
MM Roper
Keyword(s):  
Nitrogenase Activity ◽  
New South ◽  
Field Measurements ◽  
Field Capacity ◽  
Nitrogen Fertilizers ◽  
Free Living ◽  
Straw Decomposition ◽  
Indirect Measure ◽  
South Wales

Nitrogenase activity and decomposition of straw were examined in situ in two areas (Gunnedah and Cowra) representative of large areas of the New South Wales wheat belt. Measurements of nitrogenase activity were made by adapting the acetylene reduction assay for use in the field. Evolution of CO2 was monitored as an indirect measure of decomposition of straw. The addition of straw to soil stimulated nitrogenase activity which was related to the amount of straw added and the rate of straw decomposition. There were significant levels of activity provided the soil was moist and warm. Nitrogenase activity increased with mean daily soil temperature (up to at least 30�C) and decreased as the soil dried from field capacity. It is concluded that nitrogen fixation by free-living nitrogen-fixing microorganisms in soils amended with straw may contribute to the nitrogen status of the soil and thus reduce the need for nitrogen fertilizers.

Zooplankton species richness and abiotic conditions in Thirlmere Lakes, New South Wales, Australia, with reference to water-level fluctuations

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (1) ◽  
pp. 107-123
Author(s):  
Tsuyoshi Kobayashi ◽  
Martin Krogh ◽  
Hiroyuki ◽  
Russell J. Shiel ◽  
Hendrik Segers ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Water Level ◽  
Lake Water ◽  
New South ◽  
Water Levels ◽  
Water Level Fluctuations ◽  
Zooplankton Species ◽  
Abiotic Conditions ◽  
Lake Water Level ◽  
South Wales

Water-level fluctuations can have significant effects on lake biological communities. Thirlmere Lakes are a group of five interconnected lakes located near Sydney. Water levels in Thirlmere Lakes have fluctuated over time, but there has been a recent decline that is of significant concern. In this study, we examined over one year the species composition and richness of zooplankton (Rotifera, Cladocera and Copepoda) and abiotic conditions in Lakes Nerrigorang and Werri Berri, two of the five Thirlmere lakes, with reference to lake water level. We recorded a total of 66 taxa of zooplankton, with the first report of the rotifer Notommata saccigera from Australia, and the first report of the rotifers Keratella javana, Lecane rhytida and Rousseletia corniculata from New South Wales. There was a marked difference in abiotic conditions between the two lakes, with more variable conditions in Lake Nerrigorang. There was a significant positive correlation between zooplankton species richness and lake water level but only for Lake Nerrigorang. Although the two lakes are closely situated and thought to be potentially connected at high water levels, they show distinct ecological characters and the effect of water-level fluctuations on zooplankton species richness seems to differ between the lakes.

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.

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