Gradstein, S.R. (2008): <b>Epiphytes and deforestation in the tropics</b>. <i>Abhandlungen aus dem Westfälischen Museum für Naturkunde</i> <b>70</b>, 417-424.
Resource Description
Title:
Epiphytes and deforestation in the tropics
FOR816dw ID:
282
Publication Date:
2008-08-14
License and Usage Rights:
Resource Owner(s):
Individual:
S. Robbert Gradstein
Contact:
email:
sgradst <at> uni-goettingen.de
Untere Karspüle 2
Department of Plant Systematics
Georg August University Göttingen
Albrecht von Haller Institute of Plant Sciences
37073 Goettingen
Germany
Abstract:
The rapid conversion of tropical forests poses the question as to the fate of the<br/>
rich epiphyte communities of these forests. This paper presents results of our recent<br/>
investigations on deforestation and epiphytes along disturbance gradients in mountain<br/>
forest areas in Bolivia, Ecuador and Costa Rica. Species losses following disturbance<br/>
vary considerably among the different groups of epiphytes and are particularly severe<br/>
among orchids, bromeliads and filmy ferns. Moreover, shade epiphytes of the forest<br/>
understory are more strongly impacted than sun epiphytes of the forest canopy. Species<br/>
turnover along the disturbance gradient is high in all epiphyte groups and recovery of the<br/>
epiphyte communities in the regenerating secondary forests is very slow. Canopy closure<br/>
and microclimate are principal factors predicting epiphyte diversity changes along the<br/>
disturbance gradient. In addition, changes in tree species composition and host tree<br/>
characteristics play an important role. The lichen / bryophyte species ratio is a powerful<br/>
indicator of the degree of human disturbance in tropical moist forests.
Literature type specific fields:
ARTICLE
Journal:
Abhandlungen aus dem Westfälischen Museum für Naturkunde
Volume:
70
Page Range:
417-424
Publisher:
Landschaftsverband Westfalen-Lippe
Metadata Provider:
Individual:
S. Robbert Gradstein
Contact:
email:
sgradst <at> uni-goettingen.de
Untere Karspüle 2
Department of Plant Systematics
Georg August University Göttingen
Albrecht von Haller Institute of Plant Sciences
37073 Goettingen
Germany
