Werner, F.A.; Homeier, J.; Oesker, M. & Boy, J. (2011): <b>Epiphytic biomass of a tropical montane forest varies with topography</b>. <i>Journal of Tropical Ecology</i> <b>28</b>, 23-31.
Resource Description
Title:
Epiphytic biomass of a tropical montane forest varies with topography
FOR816dw ID:
1069
Publication Date:
2011-12-05
License and Usage Rights:
Resource Owner(s):
Individual:
Florian A. Werner
Contact:
email:
florianwerner <at> yahoo.com
AG Funktionelle Ökologie
Institut für Biologie und Umweltwissenschaften
Universität Oldenburg
Postfach (P.O. box) 2503
D-26111 Oldenburg
Individual:
Jürgen Homeier
Contact:
email:
jhomeie <at> gwdg.de
Faculty of Resource Management
University of Applied Sciences and Arts (HAWK)
37077 Göttingen
Germany
Individual:
Mathias Oesker
Contact:
email:
mathiasoesker <at> web.de
Garbenstr. 30
BIO II, Laborbau, 150
70599 Stuttgart
Germany
Individual:
Jens Boy
Contact:
email:
boy <at> ifbk.uni-hannover.de
D-30419 Hannover
Germany
Abstract:
The spatial heterogeneity of tropical forest epiphytes has rarely been quantified in terms of biomass. In particular, the effect of topographic variation on epiphyte biomass is poorly known, although forests on ridges and ravines can differ drastically in stature and exposure. In an Ecuadorian lower montane forest we quantified epiphytic biomass along two gradients: (1) the twig-branch-trunk trajectory, and (2) the ridge-ravine gradient. Twenty-one trees were sampled in each of three forest types (ridge, slope, ravine positions). Their epiphytic biomass was extrapolated to stand level based on basal area?epiphyte load relationships, with tree basal areas taken from six plots of 400 m 2 each per forest type. Our results document the successional addition and partial replacement of lichens by bryophytes, angiosperms and finally dead organic matter along the twig-branch-trunk trajectory. Despite having the highest tree basal area, total epiphytic biomass (mean ± SD) of ravine forest was significantly lower (2.6 ± 0.7 Mg half 1) than in mid-slope forest (6.3 ± 1.1 Mg half 1) and ridge forest (4.4 ± 1.6 Mg half 1), whereas maximum bryophyte water storage capacity was significantly higher. We attribute this pattern to differences in forest dynamics, stand structure and microclimate. Although our study could not differentiate between direct effects of slope position (nutrient availability, mesoclimate) and indirect effects (stand structure and dynamics), it provides evidence that fine-scale topography needs to be taken into account when extrapolating epiphytic biomass and related matter fluxes from stand-level data to the regional scale.
Keywords:
| Ecuador | succession | epiphyte | crown humus | dead organic matter | carbon storage | maximum water storage capacity | topographic heterogenity |
