The distribution of epiphyte growth-forms in the canopy of a Colombian cloud-forest

✍ Scribed by Leerdam, A. ;Zagt, R. J. ;Veneklaas, E. J.

• Publisher: Springer-Verlag
• Year: 1990
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 884 KB
• Volume: 87
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 1573-5052
• DOI: 10.1007/bf00045656

✦ Synopsis

Cloud forests are known for their abundance in epiphytes. The growth-form composition of the epiphytic vegetation in the crowns of two tree-species in an upper-andean forest in Colombia is described. Bryophytes formed the bulk of the living epiphytic biomass, with tall turfs and smooth mats (sensu Richards 1984) as commonest growth-forms. Vascular plants and lichens were subordinate to bryophytes. Along the canopy-branches a clear sequence of growth-forms could be demonstrated. Analysis of this gradient by Detrended Correspondence Analysis (DCA), Two Way Indicator Species Analysis (TWlNSPAN) and calculation of association-indices between growth-forms revealed two basic groups. One group is typical for the inner canopy, another for the outer canopy. An important determinant of the growth-form composition was the phorophyte species. The vegetational gradient was interpreted in terms of gradual changes in microclimatological factors, water-and nutrient availability and substratumage.