Abundance Of Epiphytes Research Articles

Evaporation and condensation dynamics within saturated epiphyte communities in a Quercus virginiana forest (coastal Georgia, USA)

Rainfall-forest interactions significantly impacts hydrological, ecological, and societal systems by altering rainwater supply to the surface. Canopy surfaces’ retention, evaporation, and redistribution of rain affect all storm-related hydrological processes. Arboreal epiphytes, plants that live on forest canopies, can store and evaporate substantial amounts of water, but their role in rainfall partitioning is under-researched compared to bark and leaves. Maritime forests of the southeastern U.S. have abundant epiphyte comunities, largely dominated by the resurrection fern (Pleopeltis polypodiodes), the bromeliad Spanish moss (Tillandsia usneoides), and foliose lichens. We assessed saturation time, evaporation during rain-saturated conditions, and condensation input within existing epiphyte vegetation on Quercus virginiana (southern live oak), a dominant host tree species, in the maritime forests on Skidaway Island (Savannah, GA, USA). Epiphyte assemblages were saturated for a median 35 % of the 3-month study. Wet canopy evaporation ranged from 0.06 to 0.42 mm h−1, while wet canopy condensation was slightly lower, ranging from 0.01 to 0.15 mm h−1. High total evaporation is likely dependent on the ability of epiphyte vegetation to remain saturated for long periods of time. Results from this study provide a basis for detailed ecohydrological research in epiphyte communities.

The Epiphytic Flowering Plants of Darjeeling Hills, Other than Orchids

Abundance of Epiphytes has been observed in the hilly region of Darjeeling Districy. As many as 34 species, of epiphytes falling under 22 genera and 15 different families are found to be epiphytic flowering plants other than orchids growing in the region in question between 305 to 3,660 meters.The abundance of epiphytes may be attributable to various factors viz. topography, altitude, rainfall and humidity prevailing in the District.The flowering epiphyta have been classified into two main Classes-Total type and Partial, type in accordance with their mode of epiphytism.Nature of epiphytism, short description of morphology flowering time, distribution within the district and also the occurrence in other regions of all the said 34 species have been described in short with reference to Hooker's Flora of British India.

Atributos das árvores hospedeiras, e não a diversidade da comunidade, conduzem a abundância de epífitas em florestas tropicais sazonais

Abstract Epiphytes are considered indicators of forest ecological integrity, but the factors that explain their abundance are still not well understood. We here evaluated tree colonization by epiphytes in old-growth monospecific reforestation stands of Astronium urundeuva (M.Allemão) Engl. (Anacardiaceae) and Eucalyptus saligna Sm. (Myrtaceae), in comparison to a neighbor seasonal tropical forest fragment under similar environmental conditions. In each forest type, we identified and measured all trees (planted and colonizers) from 5-cm stem diameter in five 200 m² plots and quantified all vascular epiphytes per tree. Tree species were categorized by bark roughness, canopy deciduousness and growth rate. The abundance of epiphytes and the frequency of host trees were higher in the A. urundeuva plantation than in the native forest, with the E. saligna stand in an intermediate position. Also, we found that host traits influenced the abundance of epiphytes in their trunks. Host trees had average stem perimeter and height both higher than non-hosts, which indicates that colonization is more likely to occur in older trees. The average abundance of epiphytes per tree was higher in species with rough bark, but no relationship was found with canopy deciduousness or tree growth rate. We evidenced, therefore, that forest plantations, even if monospecific, can provide habitat for epiphytes. However, at community level, colonization success, either in native or restored forest, depends on the relative abundance of species whose bark type favors epiphytes establishment.

Downscaling air temperatures for high-resolution niche modeling in a valley of the Amazon lowland forests: A case study on the microclima R package.

The forests of the Amazon basin are threatened by climate and land use changes. Due to the transition towards a drier climate, moisture-dependent organisms such as canopy epiphytes are particularly affected. Even if the topography in the Amazon lowland is moderate, mesoscale nocturnal katabatic flows result from cold air production related to radiative cooling. From a certain level of mass the cold air starts to flow downslope towards the valley centers leading to temperature inversions. The resulting cooling in the valleys drives localized fog formation in the valleys at night. This correlates with high epiphyte abundance and diversity in the valleys, which is much less pronounced upslope. The underlying temperature dynamics are, however, not sufficiently included in coarse-resolution reanalysis models such as ERA5-Land. Since high resolution climate data are needed e.g. for proper niche modeling of locally distributed species such as canopy epiphytes, downscaling models such as microclima have been developed and include micro- and mesoscale effects. However, it is unclear how well the elevation-related diurnal course of air temperature can be simulated. Here, we test functions for downscaling coarse-resolution temperature data to high spatial resolution data implemented in the R-package microclima for the South American tropical lowland forests. To do so we compared microclima-downscaled ERA5-Land air temperature data with meteorological station data. We found that the microclima functions only properly detect 73 temperature inversions out of 412 nocturnal cold air drainage (CAD) events during the dry season study period and only 18 out of 400 during the wet season with default settings. By modifying default values such as the emissivity threshold and time frames of possible CAD condition detection, we found 345 of 412 CAD events during the dry season and 177 out of 400 during the wet season. Despite problems with the distinction between CAD and non-CAD events the microclima algorithms show difficulties in correctly modeling the diurnal course of the temperature data and the amplitudes of elevational temperature gradients. For future studies focusing on temperature downscaling approaches, the modules implemented in the microclima package have to be adjusted for their usage in tropical lowland forest studies and beyond.

Use of epiphyte by bird communities in IPB Dramaga campus

Epiphytes have a direct or indirect influence on terrestrial ecosystems. The presence of epiphytes can increase habitat complexity vertically and benefit animals, especially birds. The objectives of this study were to identify the species of epiphytes, their host trees, and the birds and to analyze how composition of epiphytes and host trees affects the diversity and abundance of birds. The research was conducted in seven sites within the IPB Dramaga Campus from December 2022 to February 2023. We collected biotic data (the number and type of epiphytes, host trees, and birds) and abiotic data (temperature and humidity) at each site. We used Paleontological Statisctic (PAST) to calculate the diversity index and R software to examine the correlation between birds and epiphytes. We found a significant positive correlation between the species richness of epiphytes, host trees, and birds. The sites with the highest diversity and abundance of trees, epiphytes, and birds were Conservation Park and Campus Forest Park. Sites with more diverse and abundant epiphytes had lower temperatures on average. We observed four bird species that used epiphytes: Pycnonotus aurigaster, Aegithina tiphia, Sitta frontalis, and Dicaeum trochileum. These species foraged for invertebrates on or near the Asplenium sp. epiphytes.

Greater differentiation in nitrogen sources is essential for co-occurring epiphytes under low-nitrogen canopy conditions

Acquiring enough nitrogen (N) to support their life processes in nutrient-poor canopies is a crucial challenge for epiphytes. When different epiphytes coexist in the same environment, they may use different strategies to acquire N. In this study, we employed stable isotope analysis to explore N acquisition and differentiation among co-occurring epiphytes in a subtropical forest in Southwest China. We found that functional group was the most important factor influencing N and 15N natural abundance (δ15N) of epiphytes, and that different epiphyte groups used different N acquisition, uptake, and utilization pathways. Our analysis of the enrichment factors suggested that biological nitrogen fixation, phorophytes, canopy soil and ground soil could participate in N acquisition of epiphyte groups to varying degrees. However, epiphytes were more affected by precipitation and other canopy N sources than soil. Our structural equation models (SEMs) further showed that the potential N sources of plants and substrates affected throughfall and stemflow, thereby influenced N acquisition and preference of N forms in epiphytes. Overall, our findings indicate that there is differentiation in N sources among co-occurring epiphytes.

Seagrass Ecological Quality Index of Seagrass Meadows in Jepara Waters, Central Java, Indonesia

In the coastal ecosystems, seagrass meadow has an ecological function as a buffer area for the health of the coral reef. In addition, this is a place to live and shelter for many early stages of marine species. Besides, they serve many services, one of which is helping mitigation of climate change by capturing and storing carbon. Because of these essential functions, this study aimed to assess the condition of seagrass meadows in Jepara (i.e., Teluk Awur, Bandengan, Panjang Island, and Blebak waters), Central Java, Indonesia, about their ecosystem quality index using. The Seagrass Ecological Quality Index (SEQI) aims to determine five resilience parameters, i.e., the richness of seagrass species, seagrass cover, macroalgae cover, epiphyte cover, and water transparency. The results of the present works showed that generally, the seagrass ecosystem in Jepara waters is in the medium Category, the SEQI of Bandengan and Panjang Island are in the moderate Category, at the poor Category in Teluk Awur and Blebak Beach. This work found the species diversity and clear water conditions in the intermediate Category. In addition, there was a decreasing trend of habitat seagrass cover and increasing epiphyte abundance and cover. This condition is closely related to the resilience of the seagrass ecosystem. Therefore, to respond to these conditions, ecological health and seagrass ecosystem conservation efforts must be focused on improving ecosystem resilience.

Distinct epiphyte responses to drought in tropical mountain cloud forests

AbstractEpiphytes are often considered to be significantly impacted by precipitation changes because their lack of direct access to soil water. However, few in situ studies have examined how reduction in water availability may affect epiphyte growth. Using a unique stemflow collection and diversion device, we examined the effects of stemflow reduction of 25% and 50% on the growth and leaf traits of two common but distinct epiphyte species in a subtropical forest. One species (Asplenium nidus) has a large substrate, and another (Haplopteris zosterifolia) without known water storage structure. The 25% stemflow reduction had limited effects on the growth and leaf traits of the two epiphytes, indicating that 25% stemflow reduction did not reach the water stress threshold for the two epiphytes. It is also possible that the actual reduction in water availability was less than 25% since epiphytes do not use all available stemflow and there could be other sources of water such as fog and throughfall. The 50% stemflow reduction reduced leaf number and leaf area of H. zosterifolia, but not A. nidus, likely because water stored in the large substrate of A. nidus mitigated the impact of stemflow reduction. The thinner leaves, smaller leaf dry matter content, and lower δ13C of A. nidus than H. zosterifolia support the role of water storage of the substrate of A. nidus on mitigating water stress. The 50% stemflow reduction increased leaf thickness, leaf dry matter content of H. zosterifolia, and thickness of abaxial cuticle layer of both epiphytes but had no effect on δ13C. Stemflow reduction had no effects on nutrient concentration and nutrient ratios of both epiphytes suggesting that the epiphytes were able to maintain stoichiometry. Our results indicate that the epiphytes minimized nonstomatal water loss when environmental dryness increased but maintained stomata conductance, which could be important in minimizing the impacts of drought on plant growth and quickly resuming growth once drought ends. Our study highlights that not all epiphytes are similarly vulnerable to drought and precipitation reduction may change the relative abundance of epiphytes with and without water storage structure.

Distribution and diversity of the sympatric macroalgae of the pelagic Sargassum horneri in the Yellow and East China seas

The massive pelagic Sargassum horneri (Turner) C. Agardh, 1820 has increasingly occurred in the Yellow Sea and East China Sea. Significant intrusion of floating S. horneri into the southwestern Yellow Sea, the major bloom region of the green tides, has aroused speculations on the blooming mechanism and confounded concurrent prevention practices of green tides. The floating S. horneri were surveyed and sampled throughout its distributional range to study the diversity and abundance of sympatric macroalgae, including the epiphytes and non-epiphytes. The study showed that both types of macroalgae commonly coexisted with the pelagic S. horneri and showed distinct distribution patterns. The non-epiphytic green macroalgae, primarily Ulva prolifera, were free floating with S. horneri. They were initiated from the nearshore water of Jiangsu in late April followed by a rapid accumulation and expansion as the green tide developed. The non-epiphytic green algae were mostly restricted in the western coast of southern YS with biomass decreasing evidently toward offshore. Four species in Phaeophyta were commonly detected epiphytic on the pelagic S. horneri in the survey region and Proselachista taeniiformis was dominant. Unlike the co-occurring green algae, the species composition and abundance of epiphytes have no significant variation in the distributional range of the pelagic S. horneri. High frequency (80%) and abundance (0.25 ± 0.17 gEpi/gSar) of epiphytes indicated significant biological interactions with their hosts and ecological functions of this pelagic system, which deserves further investigation.

From tree-related microhabitats to ecosystem management: A tree-scale investigation in productive forests in Estonia

A diversity of microhabitats has been suggested to play a key role in mediating the co-occurrence of trees with specific tree-inhabiting biodiversity, which may further influence ecosystem functioning. However, this triple relationship between tree characteristics, tree-related microhabitats (TreMs), and biodiversity has not been described explicitly enough to set quantitative targets of ecosystem management. The two major approaches directly targeting TreMs in ecosystem management are tree-scale field assessment of TreMs and precautionary management, which both require insights into the predictability and magnitude of specific biodiversity-TreM relationships. To obtain such insights, we analysed tree-scale relationships between the diversity of TreM development processes (four classes: peculiarity; pathology; injury; emergent epiphyte cover) and selected biodiversity variables based on 241 live trees (age range 20–188 years) of two species (Picea abies, Populus tremula) in hemiboreal forests in Estonia. We addressed the diversity and abundance of epiphytes, arthropods, and gastropods; their specific response to TreMs was disentangled from tree age and tree size effects. We found that a relatively small improvement in the biodiversity responses studied was attributable solely to TreMs, and that such contribution was more frequently observed in young trees. Unexpectedly, several age- or size-independent effects of TreMs were negative, suggesting trade-offs with other factors of biodiversity relevance (such as tree foliage suppression due to injuries that created TreMs). We conclude that tree-scale microhabitat inventories have only limited potential to resolve the general problem of providing diverse habitats for biodiversity in managed forests. The basic sources of uncertainty are that microhabitat management is mostly indirect (managing TreM-bearing trees and stands rather than TreMs themselves) and that snapshot surveys cannot address various time perspectives. We outline a set of basic principles and constraints for spatially heterogeneous and precautionary forest management that includes TreM diversity considerations. These principles can be further elaborated through multi-scale research on functional biodiversity links of TreMs.

Characterization of Boxwood Shoot Bacterial Communities and Potential Impact from Fungicide Treatments.

Phyllosphere bacterial communities play important roles in plant fitness and growth. The objective of this study was to characterize the epiphytic and endophytic bacterial communities of boxwood shoots and determine how they may respond to commonly used fungicides. In early summer and early fall, shoot samples were collected immediately before and 1, 7, and 14 days after three fungicides containing chlorothalonil and/or propiconazole were applied to the canopy. Total genomic DNA from shoot surface washings and surface-sterilized shoot tissues was used as the template for 16S rRNA metabarcoding, and the amplicons were sequenced on a Nanopore MinION sequencer to characterize the epiphytic and endophytic communities. The bacterial communities were phylogenetically more diverse on the boxwood shoot surface than in the internal tissue, although the two communities shared 12.7% of the total 1,649 identified genera. The most abundant epiphytes were Methylobacterium and Pantoea, while Stenotrophomonas and Brevundimonas were the dominant endophytes. Fungicide treatments had strong impacts on epiphytic bacterial community structure and composition. Analysis of compositions of microbiomes with bias correction (ANCOM-BC) and analysis of variance (ANOVA)-like differential expression (ALDEx2) together identified 312 and 1,362 epiphytes changed in abundance due to fungicide treatments in early summer and early fall, respectively, and over 50% of these epiphytes were negatively impacted by fungicide. The two chlorothalonil-based contact fungicides demonstrated more marked effects than the propiconazole-based systemic fungicide. These results are foundational for exploring and utilizing the full potential of the microbiome and fungicide applications and developing a systems approach to boxwood health and production. IMPORTANCE Agrochemicals are important tools for safeguarding plants from invasive pathogens, insects, mites, and weeds. How they may affect the plant microbiome, a critical component of crop health and production, was poorly understood. Here, we used boxwood, an iconic low-maintenance landscape plant, to characterize shoot epiphytic and endophytic bacterial communities and their responses to contact and systemic fungicides. This study expanded our understanding of the above-ground microbiome in ornamental plants and is foundational for utilizing the full benefits of the microbiome in concert with different fungicide chemistries to improve boxwood health. This study also sets an example for a more thorough evaluation of these and other agrochemicals for their effects on boxwood microbiomes during production and offers an expanded systems approach that could be used with other crops for enhanced integrated pest management.

A baseline assessment of the epiphytic community associated with pelagic sargassum in the Tropical Atlantic

Pelagic sargassum, historically endemic to the North Atlantic where it accumulated in the Sargasso Sea, has now expanded to other accumulation regions namely in the North Equatorial Recirculation Region (NERR) of the Tropical Atlantic. To date, efforts to understand the biological community associated with pelagic sargassum have largely focussed on the motile organisms with very little attention given to the epiphytic flora and fauna, particularly for sargassum from the NERR. This study: (1) assesses the species composition and abundance (percentage cover) of epiphytes associated with the three prevalent forms (Sargassum fluitans III, S. natans I, S. natans VIII) of pelagic sargassum arriving in Barbados over summer and winter months and; (2) uses a backtracking algorithm to determine if differences in the composition of epiphyte species are linked to putative sub-origins within the NERR. Overall, epiphyte diversity was relatively low, comprising just six species of fauna, and an unidentified filamentous alga. However, there were significant differences in the epiphytic community associated with the three prevalent morphotypes. Based on percent cover, the bryozoan, Membranipora tuberculata, was the dominant species observed on S. fluitans III and S. natans I; while S. natans VIII was predominantly occupied by the hydroid, Aglaophenia latecarinata. This research provides the first quantification of the epiphytic community associated with pelagic sargassum in the Eastern Caribbean as it transitions from open Tropical Atlantic Ocean into the Caribbean Sea and will provide a useful baseline for monitoring potential change over time. The results corroborate with previous studies from elsewhere that suggest distinct differences in the epiphytic communities hosted by different sargassum morphotypes. We found no evidence that differences in epiphytic community composition were linked to sub-origin within the NERR, indicating that sargassum morphology is likely a stronger determinant of epiphyte composition than any environmental differences encountered between sub-origins and their associated transport pathways.

Understory epiphytic pteridophytes along altitudinal gradients on opposite slopes in the Atlantic Forest

Abstract Gradual climatic changes caused by mountains’ altitudinal variation promote alterations in the structure of ecological communities. Environmental changes are also expected according to the slope’s position in relation to the sea. In this study, we aimed to compare epiphytic pteridophyte communities along altitudinal gradients on opposite slopes in a section of the Atlantic Forest. We sampled a total of 10 sites in the montane and upper montane zones from the eastern (facing the sea) and western (facing away from the sea) slopes. A total of 1,742 individuals from 62 epiphytic species were recorded. The slopes showed similar epiphytic abundances and richness. Species richness showed a tendency to decrease with an increase in altitude on the western slope, and abundance was higher at intermediate altitudes, with no altitudinal trend in dominance. Conversely, on the eastern slope, there was no clear altitudinal pattern in richness or abundance; however, dominance increased with an increase in altitude from 1,200 to 1,800 m. Species compositions differed among altitudinal zones and between slopes. The eastern slope had lower species richness and no clear altitudinal gradient, although it was better preserved than the western one. Thus, there are differences in the community structure of epiphytic pteridophytes from the forest understory due to altitudinal variation and slope orientation, and these findings corroborate our hypotheses.

Epiphyte attachment preference on Eucheuma denticulatum (Rhodophycea) Thallus and Vertical Net

The attachment of epiphytes on culture equipment and seaweed thalli has proven to be one of the factors preventing Eucheuma denticulatum growth. This research aimed to clarify epiphyte preference for E. denticulatum thallus and culture equipment by using vertical nets. Vertical net is a cultivation technology that protects seaweeds from herbivorous pests (fish and turtles). This research was conducted at Tanjung Tiram Coast, one of seaweed cultivation areas in Southeast Sulawesi Province, Indonesia. This research used vertical nets and E. denticulatum thalli. The study took place at 3 stations, each using 3 tools and 3 replications. The results showed that there were 7 species of epiphyte attaching to the vertical net equipment and 6 species attaching to the thalli of E. denticulatum. The densities of epiphytes attaching to the vertical net equipment and E. denticulatum thalli were 110 ind./cm2 and 250 ind./cm2 on average, respectively. Statistical analysis showed no significant difference in density between the epiphytes attached to the vertical net equipment and those attached to the E. denticulatum thalli. They also showed that the epiphyte density insignificantly influenced the overall seaweed weight. Correlation analysis showed a significant correlation between the abundance of epiphytes attached to the vertical nets and brightness.

What makes a good phorophyte? Predicting occupancy, species richness and abundance of vascular epiphytes in a lowland seasonal tropical forest

Epiphytes typically exhibit clustered distribution patterns, but predicting the spatial variation of their distribution at fine scales has long been a challenge. Taking advantage of a canopy crane giving access to 1.1 ha of lowland seasonal rainforest in Yunnan (China), we assess here which factors promote the probability that a given tree hosts epiphytes, and the variation of species richness and abundance of epiphytic spermatophytes and ferns among trees. Variation in epiphyte species richness as a function of host tree size, characteristics of its surrounding environment, topography and microclimatic conditions, were analyzed by Random Forest. Epiphytic spermatophytes and ferns occupied 2.3 and 10.8% of the available host trees, respectively. Significant models predicting which trees are more likely to host epiphytes than others were obtained, indicating that host tree characteristics and their local environment play a significant role in determining which host tree is most likely to be colonized. These models, as well as models for species richness and abundance, however, exhibited a moderate to low accuracy (r2 0.28 and 0.24 and of 0.12 and 0.14 for spermatophyte and fern richness and abundance, respectively). The best predictor of the presence of epiphytes on a tree, of its epiphytic species richness and abundance, was its DBH. In ferns, however, two peaks of species richness were observed, representing shade-loving ferns on small trees and sun-loving ferns on large trees. Microclimatic conditions and light intensity were the second best factor accounting for variation in species richness and abundance among trees. The contribution of liana infestation, host tree identity, and characteristics of neighboring trees were marginal. Our inclusion of a large number of host-tree characteristics and their local environment did not allow for an apparent improvement of model accuracy over studies with a more limited number of predictors, pointing to the role of chance upon tree colonization. Our results confirm the utmost importance of large trees with emergent canopies for the conservation of the epiphytic flora, but also indicate that epiphytic diversity assessments in tropical forests must also include small understorey trees, which should be further considered for conservation. The importance of the micro-climatic conditions that prevail at the level of each individual host tree further points to the necessity of maintaining a buffer zone around large host trees targeted for conservation.

High species richness and turnover of vascular epiphytes is associated with water availability along the elevation gradient of Volcán Maderas, Nicaragua.

Research that has been conducted documenting species richness patterns on tropical mountains has resulted in conflicting observations: monotonic declines with increasing elevation, monotonic increases with increasing elevation, and a mid-elevation "bulge." Currently, it is unclear if these differences are due to environmental differences among study areas, the taxonomic groups or ecological groups (e.g., growth form) sampled, or the scale of study along elevation gradients. Because of the difficulty in sampling and identifying canopy-dwelling plants, the number of inventories quantifying tropical epiphytes is relatively limited and recent. In this study, we provide a detailed qualitative and quantitative assessment of the vascular epiphyte flora and its spatial distribution on Volcán Maderas, Isla de Ometepe, Nicaragua, including weather and environmental measurements along the entire elevation gradient of the volcano. We sampled epiphytes in five distinct forest types associated with increasing elevation as follows: dry forest, humid forest, wet forest, cloud forest, and elfin forest. Five weather stations were placed along the elevation gradient for us to relate observed patterns to environmental conditions. A mid-elevation peak in species richness was detected for all vascular epiphytes at approximately 1000 m in elevation (cloud forest), yet epiphyte abundance increased with increasing elevation. In total we identified 206 taxa of vascular epiphytes belonging to 26 families and 73 genera. The most species-rich family was the Orchidaceae with 55 species for the entire elevation gradient, followed by Bromeliaceae (29 species), Araceae (23), Polypodiaceae (25), Dryopteridaceae (16), and Piperaceae (11), with all other families represented by fewer than 10 species each. We found that richness patterns differ phylogenetically across epiphyte groups, possibly due to different adaptive strategies, and species for the most part appear to be narrowly distributed within specific habitat zones along the elevation gradient. Variables associated with moisture, precipitation, humidity, mist, or cloud cover are key to understanding the observed patterns.

Fruit microbiome: A powerful tool to study the epidemiology of dry lenticel rot and white haze – Emerging postharvest diseases of apple

With the introduction of new apple varieties, emerging diseases have been recorded including dry lenticel rot and white haze. Ramularia mali has been identified as the causal agent of dry lenticel rot, whereas species of Golubevia, Tilletiopsis and Entyloma have been associated to white haze, but the epidemiology of these pathogens remains unclear. In the present study, we measured fruit disease incidence and quality parameters, and we used metabarcoding to characterize both epiphytic and endophytic microbial communities of apple fruit of two commercial cultivars, ‘Opal’ and ‘Ambrosia’, across six time points from early fruit development up to the end of shelf life. R. mali first develops in both cultivars as an endophyte at BBCH (Biologische Bundesanstalt, Bundessortenamt and CHemical industry) phenological phase 73 (10–11% relative abundance), BBCH 77 (26–33% relative abundance) and BBCH 81 (1–7% relative abundance), then it appears as an epiphyte from BBCH 87 onward (1–2% relative abundance), when symptoms start to be visible. This was confirmed in endophytic samples through qPCR specific for R. mali. Among the genera associated to white haze, Golubevia was the most abundant epiphyte (2–4%) from BBCH 81 to the end of shelf life. Alpha and beta diversity analyses unveiled the presence of significant difference both in richness and composition among different tissue, time points and cultivars. In conclusion, the study helps to explain the epidemiology of white haze and dry lenticel rot, and to design a targeted crop protection strategy, reinforcing the hypothesis that fruit metabarcoding could be a valuable tool for assessment and prediction of postharvest diseases, before symptoms occurrence in fruit.

Characteristic of the material deposits, microclimate profile, epiphyte abundance, and bacteria populations in the above-ground ecosystem of oil palm

Abstract. Pradiko I, Farrasati R, Rahutomo S, Sapalina F, Pane RDP, Hidayat F, Ginting EN. 2022. The physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of microhabitats inside oil palm trunk axils in North Sumatra, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 23: 3793-3807. Above-ground ecosystems (AGE) components in oil palm plantations consist of epiphytic plants and fauna in microhabitat within the axil of pruned fronds. This research aimed to identify the characteristics of microhabitat, including microclimate profile, physical and chemical properties of the material deposit, epiphyte abundance, and microbe population. The study sites were located in the eastern and western regions of North Sumatra. Furthermore, vertical observations were taken on oil palm trunks at the height of 20, 100, 150, 200, and 300 cm. The study indicated that the microclimate, nutrients content, physical properties of the material deposit, and bacterial populations in the trunk axils of oil palm in the eastern differed from the western region. There was no obvious pattern in the microclimate profile for individual oil palms. However, there was a change in N, C-organic, and C/N ratios with the increasing height of microhabitat sites. In terms of abundance, Nephrolepis bisserata and Vittaria ensiformis epiphytes were more dominant in the upper and bottom trunk, respectively. The microhabitat at the bottom trunk had a denser bacterial population, negatively correlated with N, C-organic, C/N ratio, Mg, and pH.

The Impact of Anthropogenic Disturbance to the Canopy Microclimate of Tropical Forests in the Southern Western Ghats, India

Anthropogenic disturbances are a pressing driver of forest degradation and are known to affect the microclimate within forests. Most organisms experience the microclimate and hence, associated changes may drive species communities in rainforests. However, such knowledge remains limited in the case of forest canopies, especially in south Asia. We aimed to identify differences in the temperature and light intensity, and beetles and vascular epiphytes in the canopy between old-growth and secondary forests. Using sensors, we recorded two key microclimatic variables, the air temperature, and light intensity, in the crowns of 36 Cullenia exarillata A. Robyns trees. We sampled beetles (morphospecies) and vascular epiphytes (genera) in the crowns. We provide evidence that canopies of secondary forest stands (intensively logged 60 years ago) (1) continue to show higher canopy air temperatures and light intensity, and (2) have higher beetle abundance (individuals), richness (morphospecies), and diversity but lower vascular epiphyte abundance (individuals), richness (genera), and diversity as compared to primary forest stands. We also show that the beetle communities differ (with greater beta diversity in the primary forest), but the vascular epiphyte communities were similar between the two forest types. We hope that this information begins to bridge the gap in understanding the role of microclimate in driving species communities and the ecology of human-modified forests.

Trade-offs between succulent and non-succulent epiphytes underlie variation in drought tolerance and avoidance.

Epiphyte communities comprise important components of many forest ecosystems in terms of biomass and diversity, but little is known regarding trade-offs that underlie diversity and structure in these communities or the impact that microclimate has on epiphyte trait allocation. We measured 22 functional traits in vascular epiphyte communities across six sites that span a microclimatic gradient in a tropical montane cloud forest region in Costa Rica. We quantified traits that relate to carbon and nitrogen allocation, gas exchange, water storage, and drought tolerance. Functional diversity was high in all but the lowest elevation site where drought likely limits the success of certain species with particular trait combinations. For most traits, variation was explained by relationships with other traits, rather than differences in microclimate across sites. Although there were significant differences in microclimate, epiphyte abundance, and diversity, we found substantial overlap in multivariate trait space across five of the sites. We found significant correlations between functional traits, many of which related to water storage (leaf water content, leaf thickness, hydrenchymal thickness), drought tolerance (turgor loss point), and carbon allocation (specific leaf area, leaf dry matter content). This suite of trait correlations suggests that the epiphyte community has evolved functional strategies along with a drought avoidance versus drought tolerance continuum where leaf succulence emerged as a pivotal overall trait.