Download
Cite as:
Normann, F.; Weigelt, P.; Gehrig-Downie, C.; Gradstein, S.R.; Sipman, H.J.; Obregon, A. &amp; Bendix, J. (2010): <b>Diversity and vertical distribution of epiphytic macrolichens in lowland rain forest and lowland cloud forest of French Guinea</b>. <i>Ecological Indicators</i> <b>10</b>(6), 1111-1118.

Resource Description
Title: Diversity and vertical distribution of epiphytic macrolichens in lowland rain forest and lowland cloud forest of French Guinea
FOR816dw ID: 80
Publication Date: 2010-11-01
License and Usage Rights: PAK 823-825 data user agreement. (www.tropicalmountainforest.org/dataagreementp3.do)
Resource Owner(s):
Individual: Felix Normann
Contact:
Individual: Patrick Weigelt
Contact:
Individual: Christine Gehrig-Downie
Contact:
Individual: S. Robbert Gradstein
Contact:
Individual: Harrie J.M. Sipman
Contact:
Individual: Andre Obregon
Contact:
Individual: Jörg Bendix
Contact:
Abstract:
Recent work on bryophyte diversity in lowland forests of northern South America has suggested the existence of a new type of cloud forest, the “tropical lowland cloud forest” (LCF). LCF occurs in river valleys with high air humidity and radiation fog, and is rich in epiphytes. We explored the lichenological characteristics of putative LCF in a lowland area (200–400 m a.s.l.) near Saül, central French Guiana, using macrolichens (including large crustose species) as indicator taxa. We analyzed macrolichen diversity on 16 trees in two 1 ha plots, in LCF and in lowland rain forest without fog (LRF). Sampling efficiency was ca. 80% in both forest types. Canopies of both LRF and LCF were richer in lichen species than understory trunks. Species richness of macrolichens was rather similar in the two forest types but species composition was significantly different. Cyanolichen richness in LCF was ca. 2.5 times higher than in LRF; in contrast, LRF had 4 times more species of green-algal Parmeliaceae. Our study suggests that cyanolichens except for Coccocarpiaceae serve as indicators of LCF. We explain the detected diversity patterns by differences in water availability due to fog precipitation and higher humidity. This is indicated by the higher relative air humidity in the lowland cloud forest, which was >6% higher than in the rain forest.
Keywords:
| French Guiana | Tropical Lowland Cloud Forest | microclimate | Epiphytic lichens | Species diversity | cyanolichens | rainforest |
Literature type specific fields:
ARTICLE
Journal: Ecological Indicators
Volume: 10
Issue: 6
Page Range: 1111-1118
Metadata Provider:
Individual: Tiziana Li Koch
Contact:
Online Distribution:
Download File: http://www.lcrs.de/publications.do?citid=80


Quick search

  • Publications:
  • Datasets:

Keywords:

Datasets: / Publications:
Andes Biodiversity biomass Chile Ecuador El Nino fog Fog detection low stratus Meteosat Meteosat Second Generation MODIS NOAA-AVHRR Peru Radar Random forests remote sensing South Ecuador southern Ecuador Tibetan Plateau