Abstract:
We sampled the diversity of epiphytes (lichens, bryophytes, vascular plants) and moths (Geometridae, Arctiidae) in
mature and recovering forest and in open vegetation in the montane belt in Ecuador. No uniform pattern of change in
species richness was detected among the different taxonomic groups with increasing disturbance. Species richness of
epiphytic bryophytes and vascular plants declined significantly from mature forest towards open vegetation. In
contrast, species richness of epiphytic lichens did not change with increasing forest alteration, while that of geometrid
moths was significantly higher in recovering forest compared with mature forest and open habitats. Arctiidae were
significantly more species-rich in recovering forest and open vegetation than mature forest. Hence, for some organisms,
modified habitats may play an important role for biodiversity conservation in the Andes, whereas others suffer from
habitat disturbance. However, trends of changes in species composition following deforestation were surprisingly
concordant across most studied epiphyte and moth taxa.
