Vascular Epiphyte Communities in the Inner‐Crown of Hyeronima alchorneoides and Lecythis ampla at La Selva Biological Station, Costa Rica

Abstract

ABSTRACTThe community composition and percent cover of vascular epiphytes were examined in relation to photosynthetic photon flux density (PFD), temperature, vapor pressure, and tree characteristics in the inner‐crown of two emergent tree species, Hyeronima alchorneoides and Lecythis ampla, at La Selva Biological Station, Costa Rica. A total of 53 species were found in a total sampled branch area of 32 m2 in eight trees—four trees per species. Community composition varied both among individuals of the same tree species and between tree species. However, percent cover patterns of vascular epiphytes were significantly different between the two tree species; Hyeronima had a significantly greater percent cover of epiphytes than Lecythis. The higher percent light transmittance as well as lower humidity in Lecythis are likely causes of its lower percent cover of epiphytes.