Mandl, N. (2008): <b>Bryophyte and macrolichen diversity of the Purdiaea nutans forest in southern Ecuador and its relationship to soil, climate, and vegetation structure</b> Universität Göttingen, <i>phd thesis</i>
Resource Description
Title:
Bryophyte and macrolichen diversity of the Purdiaea nutans forest in southern Ecuador and its relationship to soil, climate, and vegetation structure
FOR816dw ID:
585
Publication Date:
2008-04-23
License and Usage Rights:
Resource Owner(s):
Individual:
Nicole Mandl
Contact:
email:
webmaster <at> tropicalmountainforest.com
Abstract:
This study confirms that the unique Purdiaea nutans forest in the upper montane belt of<br/>
the Reserva Biologíca San Francisco in southern Ecuador is an azonal ridge vegetation<br/>
type. Our assumption that the mass occurrence of Purdiaea may be caused by extremely<br/>
poor soils was not confirmed. From our point of view the development of this<br/>
monodominant forest was more likely triggered by historical fire events and a combination<br/>
of site specific abiotic factors, related to topography, geology, pedology, and<br/>
macroclimate.<br/>
Neither the terrestrial nor the epiphytic bryophyte and macrolichen species richness or<br/>
composition were affected by the unusual tree species composition, but instead represent<br/>
typical upper montane ridge communities of the region.<br/>
Distribution of bryophytes and Macrolichens is primarily determined by differences in<br/>
microclimatic conditions. Habitat differences between slope forest and ridge forest, and<br/>
small scale habitat heterogeneity within ridges, define microclimatic conditions and are<br/>
therefore responsible for the variability of terrestrial bryophyte and Macrolichen<br/>
assemblages in upper montane forests in southern Ecuador. In the epiphytic habitat,<br/>
microclimatic conditions follow a vertical gradient rather than a horizontal one.<br/>
Accordingly, different species assemblages, indicator species and life forms are observed<br/>
in different positions within the tree. Tree crowns are inhabited by rather small,<br/>
desiccation-tolerant and wind-approved bryophytes and Macrolichens, whereas on trunks<br/>
taller, shade tolerant bryophytes predominate.<br/>
The higher species richness recorded from other Neotropical upper montane forests is<br/>
mostly due to high species numbers of mosses and Macrolichens; liverworts are relatively<br/>
more pronounced in our study sites. The extremely high precipitation of the area favours<br/>
liverworts and strong winds constrain the growth of projecting or hanging species such as<br/>
Meteoriaceae and macrolichens typical for outer canopies elsewhere.<br/>
A taxonomic comparison of alpha and beta diversities reveals no universally valid pattern<br/>
for lichens, liverworts, mosses, and ferns. The results indicate that diversity patterns for<br/>
epiphytic and terrestrial species are distinct and should be treated separately. Among the<br/>
92<br/>
studied taxonomic groups, ferns and liverworts show most similar patterns of alpha and<br/>
beta diversity and therefore are most likely to work as surrogates for one another.
Literature type specific fields:
THESIS
Degree:
phd
Degree Institution:
Universität Göttingen
Total Pages:
101
Metadata Provider:
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
