Epiphytic Tank Bromeliads Research Articles

New insights into the role of the root system of epiphytic bromeliads: comparison of root and leaf trichome functions in acquisition of water and nutrients.

In epiphytic bromeliads, the roots used to be considered poorly functional organs in the processes of absorption and metabolization of water and nutrients, while the leaves always acted as protagonists in both functions. More recent discoveries have been changing this old view of the root system. In this review, we will address the old thoughts of the scientific community regarding the function performed by the roots of epiphytic bromeliads (mere holdfast structures with low physiological activity) and the importance of a reduced or lack of root system for the emergence of epiphytism. We will present indirect and direct evidence that contradicts this older hypothesis. Furthermore, the importance of the root absorptive function mainly for juvenile tankless epiphytic bromeliads and the characteristics of the root absorption process of adult epiphytic tank bromeliads will be thoroughly discussed in physiological aspects. Finally, some factors (species, substrate, environmental conditions) that influence the absorptive capability of the roots of epiphytic tank bromeliads will also be considered in this review, highlighting the importance that the absorptive role of the roots have for the plasticity of bromeliads that live on trees, which is an environment characterized by the intermittent availability of water and nutrients. The roots of tank-forming epiphytic bromeliads play important roles in the absorption and metabolization of nutrients and water. The importance of roots stands out mainly for juvenile tankless bromeliads since the root is the main absorptive organ. In larger plants with tank, although the leaves become the protagonists in the resource acquisition process, the roots complement the absorptive function of the leaf trichomes, resulting in a better growth of the bromeliad. The physiological and biochemical properties of the processes of absorption and distribution of resources in the tissues seem to differ between absorption by trichomes and roots.

A Neoponera villosa (Fabricius, 1804) Worker Pupa with too Many Legs (Hymenoptera: Formicidae).

Several somatic and sexual anomalies such as gynandromorphism and other morphological malformations have been described in ants, but cases of supernumerary legs in natural populations are rare, with only six cases reported to date. Moreover, few cases of abnormalities have been reported for the Ponerinae subfamily, with only three cases of genetic chimeras and five teratological cases worldwide. We report here a new case of teratology in this subfamily, with a seven-legged worker pupa found in a Neoponera villosa colony nesting in an epiphytic tank bromeliad. This is the second case for Mexico of a morphological anomaly in a ponerine ant, but the first report of a teratological case in the subfamily for this country.

Local drivers of heterogeneity in a tropical forest: epiphytic tank bromeliads affect the availability of soil resources and conditions and indirectly affect the structure of seedling communities.

Environmental heterogeneity is a key component in explaining the megadiversity of tropical forests. Despite its importance, knowledge about local drivers of environmental heterogeneity remains a challenge for ecologists. In Neotropical forests, epiphytic tank bromeliads store large amounts of water and nutrients in the tree canopy, and their tank overflow may create nutrient-rich patches in the soil. However, the effects of this nutrient flux on environmental heterogeneity and plant community structure in the understory remain unexplored. In a Brazilian coastal sandy forest, we investigated the effects of the presence of epiphytic tank bromeliads on throughfall chemistry, soil chemistry, soil litter biomass, light, and seedling community structure. In the presence of epiphytic tank bromeliads, the throughfall nitrogen concentration increased twofold, the throughfall phosphorus concentration increased threefold, and the soil patches had a 3.96% higher pH, a 50% higher calcium concentration, and 11.88% less light. By altering the availability of soil resources and conditions, the presence of bromeliads partially shifted the available niche spaces for plant species and indirectly affected the structure of the seedling communities, decreasing their diversity, density, and biomass. For the first time, we showed that the presence of tank bromeliads in the canopy can create characteristic soil patches in the understory, affecting the structure of seedling communities via fertilization. Our results reveal a novel local driver of environmental heterogeneity, reinforcing and expanding the key role of tank bromeliads both in nutrient cycling and plant community structuring of Neotropical coastal sandy forests.

What happens to epiphytic bromeliads in a windy spot?

Abstract Several studies of hurricane damage on epiphyte communities implied that epiphytes might be in danger of being blown off their host when subjected to strong wind. There is very limited knowledge about the mechanical impact that wind may have on epiphytes. Using a wind-triggered camera set-up, we observed how epiphytic tank bromeliads are affected by wind. Despite offering a relatively large area of ‘attack’ to the airflow, bromeliads moved relatively little themselves. Rather than being directly moved by wind, the bromeliads in the upper crown of tall trees moved with the sway of the branches. Only when the substrate did not move, bromeliads with long broad leaves showed considerable disturbance due to wind. Our observations underline the complexity of the system and emphasise that our current understanding of the mechanical aspects of the epiphyte–host system is still very limited.

Drought effects on resource partition and conservation among leaf ontogenetic stages in epiphytic tank bromeliads.

Studying the response to drought stress of keystone epiphytes such as tank bromeliads is essential to better understand their resistance capacity to future climate change. The objective was to test whether there is any variation in the carbon, water and nutrient status among different leaf ontogenetic stages in a bromeliad rosette subjected to a gradient of drought stress. We used a semi-controlled experiment consisting in a gradient of water shortage in Aechmea aquilega and Lutheria splendens. For each bromeliad and drought treatment, three leaves were collected based on their position in the rosette and several functional traits related to water and nutrient status, and carbon metabolism were measured. We found that water status traits (relative water content, leaf succulence, osmotic and midday water potentials) and carbon metabolism traits (carbon assimilation, maximum quantum yield of photosystem II, chlorophyll and starch contents) decreased with increasing drought stress, while leaf soluble sugars and carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus contents remained unchanged. The different leaf ontogenetic stages showed only marginal variations when subjected to a gradient of drought. Resources were not reallocated between different leaf ontogenetic stages but we found a reallocation of soluble sugars from leaf starch reserves to the root system. Both species were capable of metabolic and physiological adjustments in response to drought. Overall, this study advances our understanding of the resistance of bromeliads faced with increasing drought stress and paves the way for in-depth reflection on their strategies to cope with water shortage.

Thinking of the leaf as a whole plant: How does N metabolism occur in a plant with foliar nutrient uptake?

Epiphytic bromeliads are subjected to intermittent nutrient availability while at the same time having a small root system that absorb a small amount of nutrients. These bromeliads possess adaptations, such as a tank formation and a higher trichome density, that contribute to their acquisition of water and nutrients. However, little is known about the nitrogen metabolism in epiphytic tank bromeliads or how ammonium reaches the leaf apex before its assimilation, and nothing has been described about the functioning of the low- and high-affinity nitrogen transporters in epiphytic plants whose leaves play a key role in nutrient uptake. In this context, we conducted a controlled experiment with Guzmania monostachia to investigate its nutritional preference when nitrate, ammonium and urea are offered at the same time, its nitrogen assimilation along the leaf blade, and whether the high-affinity nitrogen transporters (NRT2.5, AMT1.2, DUR3) present the highest gene expressions under low nitrogen availability. Our results revealed that the leaf base was responsible for nitrogen absorption and ammonium production through urease and NR activities and showed an upregulation of the high-affinity transporters of nitrate and ammonium (NRT2.5, AMT1.2), together with the urea transporter genes (DUR3, aquaporin TIP2.1). On the other hand, the leaf apex presented remarkable characteristics relating to GS activity and showed the highest gene expression of low-affinity nitrate (NRT1.2) and ammonium (AMT3.1, aquaporin PIP1.2) transporters. These results suggest that nitrogen absorption and assimilation occurred in a single leaf in G. monostachia as its leaves played the role of a whole plant regarding nitrogen metabolism. The leaf base was essential in nitrogen absorption, nitrate reduction, and urea hydrolysis. In this leaf portion, the upregulation of the high-affinity transporters could ensure efficient nitrogen uptake even in low concentrations. In an epiphytic environment, with extremely limited nutrient availability, the bromeliad leaves seem to be the main organ that guarantees plant survival.

Bromeliads affect the interactions and composition of invertebrates on their support tree.

Individual species can have profound effects on ecological communities, but, in hyperdiverse systems, it can be challenging to determine the underlying ecological mechanisms. Simplifying species' responses by trophic level or functional group may be useful, but characterizing the trait structure of communities may be better related to niche processes. A largely overlooked trait in such community-level analyses is behaviour. In the Neotropics, epiphytic tank bromeliads (Bromeliaceae) harbour a distinct fauna of terrestrial invertebrates that is mainly composed of predators, such as ants and spiders. As these bromeliad-associated predators tend to forage on the bromeliads' support tree, they may influence the arboreal invertebrate fauna. We examined how, by increasing associated predator habitat, bromeliads may affect arboreal invertebrates. Specifically, we observed the trophic and functional group composition, and the behaviour and interspecific interactions of arboreal invertebrates in trees with and without bromeliads. Bromeliads modified the functional composition of arboreal invertebrates, but not the overall abundance of predators and herbivores. Bromeliads did not alter the overall behavioural profile of arboreal invertebrates, but did lead to more positive interactions in the day than at night, with a reverse pattern on trees without bromeliads. In particular, tending behaviours were influenced by bromeliad-associated predators. These results indicate that detailed examination of the functional affiliations and behaviour of organisms can reveal complex effects of habitat-forming species like bromeliads, even when total densities of trophic groups are insensitive.

How does a C3 epiphytic tank bromeliad respond to drought?

Abstract Intermittent water availability characterizes the canopy habitat, but few studies have focused on how C3 epiphytic bromeliads deal with drought. In this context, we investigated how water deficits affect the photosynthetic responses of the epiphytic bromeliad Vriesea gigantea regarding its physiological and anatomical traits that can minimize the effects of stomatal closure. In a controlled experiment in which bromeliads were submitted to 21 days of drought, we demonstrated a reduction in the leaf water content followed by strong reductions in net CO2 exchange and the efficiency of the photochemical system. However, there were increases in the yield of non-photochemical quenching and the activities of hydrophilic antioxidants. We observed substomatal chambers connected with air channels reaching the chlorophyllous parenchyma. Our findings indicate that the low net CO2 exchange and the energy imbalance possibly increased the cyclic transport of electrons and activated the thermal dissipation of energy to avoid damage to the photosynthetic apparatus. Additionally, the aeration channels may passively store CO2 to facilitate its re-assimilation. Because most epiphytic bromeliads are C3 plants and drought is frequent in the canopy, we speculate that some attributes of V. gigantea may occur in other C3 species, favouring their radiation in the epiphytic environment.

Complex indirect effects of epiphytic bromeliads on the invertebrate food webs of their support tree

AbstractEcosystem engineers are species that affect others through the provision of habitat rather than consumptive resources. The extent to which ecosystem engineers can indirectly affect entire food webs, however, is poorly understood. Epiphytic tank bromeliads (Bromeliaceae) are ecosystem engineers that are common throughout the Neotropics, and are associated with a variety of predatory arthropods. Here, we examine if bromeliads, by increasing predator densities, indirectly benefit their support tree through reduction in herbivorous insects and leaf damage. We observed and manipulated bromeliad densities in Costa Rican orange orchards, and measured impacts on leaf damage and arboreal and bromeliad invertebrate communities in two different seasons. Our results show that bromeliads are associated with predatory and herbivorous invertebrates but not leaf damage. Bromeliads were correlated with increased densities of their associated predators, especially ants and hunting spiders, but we could not confirm a causal link. Associations with bromeliads changed over time, with seasonal shifts interfering with responses to our manipulations. Bromeliads had a reduced association with predators in the dry season. Moreover, a null association between bromeliads and herbivorous invertebrates in the dry season unexpectedly became positive in the wet season. In summary, we have only limited evidence that bromeliads indirectly promote the top‐down control of arboreal herbivores; instead, our manipulations suggest that bromeliads increase herbivore densities in the wet season. This research suggests that although bromeliads may act as ecosystem engineers, indirectly influencing the invertebrate food web on support trees, their effects are trophically complex and seasonally dependent.Abstract in Spanish is available with online material.

Water and nutrient uptake capacity of leaf-absorbing trichomes vs. roots in epiphytic tank bromeliads

The water and nutrient uptake mechanisms used by vascular epiphytes have been the subject of a few studies. While leaf absorbing trichomes (LATs) are the main organ involved in resource uptake by bromeliads, little attention has been paid to the absorbing role of epiphytic bromeliad roots. This study investigates the water and nutrient uptake capacity of LATs vs. roots in two epiphytic tank bromeliads Aechmea aquilega and Lutheria splendens. The tank and/or the roots of bromeliads were watered, or not watered at all, in different treatments. We show that LATs and roots have different functions in resource uptake in the two species, which we mainly attributed to dissimilarities in carbon acquisition and growth traits (e.g., photosynthesis, relative growth rate, non-structural carbohydrates, malate), to water relation traits (e.g., water and osmotic potentials, relative water content, hydrenchyma thickness) and nutrient uptake (e.g., 15N-labelling). While the roots of A. aquilega did contribute to water and nutrient uptake, the roots of L. splendens were less important than the role played by the LATs in resource uptake. We also provide evidenced for a synergistic effect of combined watering of tank and root in the Bromelioideae species. These results call for a more complex interpretation of LATs vs. roots in resource uptake in bromeliads.

What´s in the tank? Nematodes and other major components of the meiofauna of bromeliad phytotelms in lowland Panama

BackgroundNematodes are a very diverse and extremely abundant group of animals, but their occurrence in the tropics is surprisingly little understood. We investigated the meiofauna of epiphytic tank bromeliads in the lowlands of Panama with particular emphasis on nematodes.ResultsWe encountered 89 morphospecies of nematodes in 54 bromeliad tanks, which were sampled in the wet and the dry season. Rotifers were by far the most abundant group in both the dry and the wet season (with up to 960 individual ml−1), followed by nematodes, annelids and harpacticoid copepods. Individual plants hosted up to 25 nematode species. These nematodes represented a diversity of feeding guilds, suction-feeders and deposit-feeders being most abundant. The relative abundances of feeding-types of nematodes differed considerably in the wet and dry season. Both species richness and abundance were strongly correlated with the size of the phytotelms and the season, while species diversity assessed with the Shannon-index was affected by neither of the two.ConclusionThis is the first study with a particular focus on the diversity of nematodes in tank bromeliads. We document a meiofauna of considerable abundance and diversity, which suggests important functional roles in ecological processes such as decomposition, which in turn warrants further study.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12898-016-0069-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

From dusk till dawn: nocturnal and diurnal pollination in the epiphyte Tillandsia heterophylla (Bromeliaceae).

In order to compare the effectiveness of diurnal and nocturnal pollinators, we studied the reproductive biology and pollinators of Tillandsia heterophylla E. Morren, an epiphytic tank bromeliad endemic to southeastern Mexico. Since anthesis in T. heterophylla is predominantly nocturnal but lasts until the following day, we hypothesised that this bromeliad would receive visits from both diurnal and nocturnal visitors, but that nocturnal visitors would be the most effective pollinators, since they arrive first to the receptive flower, and that bats would be the most frequent nocturnal visitors, given the characteristics of the nectar. Flowering of T. heterophylla began in May and lasted until July. The species is fully self-compatible, with an anthesis that lasts for ca. 15-16 h. Mean volume of nectar produced per flower was 82.21 μl, with a mean sugar concentration of 6.33%. The highest volume and concentration of nectar were found at 20:00 h, with a subsequent decline in both to almost zero over the following 12-h period. T. heterophylla has a generalist pollination system, since at least four different morphospecies of visitors pollinate its flowers: bats, moths, hummingbirds and bees. Most of the pollinating visits corresponded to bats and took place in the early evening, when stigma receptivity had already begun; making bats the probable pollinator on most occasions. However, diurnal pollinators may be important as a 'fail-safe' system by which to guarantee the pollination of T. heterophylla.

A Tank Bromeliad Favors Spider Presence in a Neotropical Inundated Forest.

Tank bromeliads are good models for understanding how climate change may affect biotic associations. We studied the relationships between spiders, the epiphytic tank bromeliad, Aechmea bracteata, and its associated ants in an inundated forest in Quintana Roo, Mexico, during a drought period while, exceptionally, this forest was dry and then during the flooding that followed. We compared spider abundance and diversity between ‘Aechmea-areas’ and ‘control-areas’ of the same surface area. We recorded six spider families: the Dipluridae, Ctenidae, Salticidae, Araneidae, Tetragnathidae and Linyphiidae among which the funnel-web tarantula, Ischnothele caudata, the only Dipluridae noted, was the most abundant. During the drought period, the spiders were more numerous in the Aechmea-areas than in the control-areas, but they were not obligatorily associated with the Aechmea. During the subsequent flooding, the spiders were concentrated in the A. bracteata patches, particularly those sheltering an ant colony. Also, a kind of specificity existed between certain spider taxa and ant species, but varied between the drought period and subsequent flooding. We conclude that climatic events modulate the relationship between A. bracteata patches and their associated fauna. Tank bromeliads, previously considered only for their ecological importance in supplying food and water during drought, may also be considered refuges for spiders during flooding. More generally, tank bromeliads have an important role in preserving non-specialized fauna in inundated forests.

Free-living ciliates from epiphytic tank bromeliads in Mexico

The ciliate diversity of Mexican bromeliads is poorly known. We studied the ciliate community of two species of epiphytic tank bromeliads from 48 individuals of Tillandsia heterophylla and four of T. prodigiosa. The bromeliads occurred on over 22 tree host species. Samples were collected during 2009 and 2010 in a mountain cloud forest and in two coffee plantations and in a pine–oak forest. The ciliates were identified in live and protargol preparations. We recorded 61 ciliate species distributed in 39 genera grouped in eight classes. Ten species were frequent in the 52 samples (20±3.2) and Leptopharynx bromeliophilus was the most frequent recorded in 25 samples. Thirty-three species are new for the fauna of Mexico, 24 species have been recorded for the first time in tank bromeliads. The classes Spirotrichea, Oligohymenophorea and Colpodea presented the highest number of species, 16, 14, and 12, respectively. Colpoda was the most species-rich genus being present with six species. A low similarity between areas and seasons was obtained with Jaccard's index. We conclude that the two bromeliads species host a rich ciliate diversity whose knowledge contributes to the question of ciliate distribution and specifically, in tank bromeliads.

Loss of phytotelmata due to an invasive bromeliad-eating weevil and its potential effects on faunal diversity and biogeochemical cycles

Epiphytic tank bromeliads are important ecosystem engineers because they form phytotelmata that create habitat, increase species richness and abundance, create water sources and nutrient reservoirs in the canopy, and collect and redirect nutrients in forest ecosystems. Native bromeliad populations have been devastated in Florida (USA) because an invasive bromeliad-eating weevil (Metamasius callizona) has been destroying the plants. Tillandsia utriculata is a tank bromeliad that was once widespread from central to south Florida. Its populations have been hit hard by the weevil and are declining rapidly. This study quantifies the mortality rate caused by the weevil in a population of T. utriculata at the Enchanted Forest Sanctuary in central Florida and estimates the associated loss of phytotelmata. Estimations of phytotelmata were calculated for the T. utriculata baseline population, the population at 6 months into the study when 87% of the population was destroyed, and at the end of the study when less than 3% of the bromeliad population remained (99% of all deaths were caused by the weevil). The baseline population contained 16,758 L of water. At six months, there were 3180 L, and at the end of the study, there were 408 L. The loss of phytotelmata results in the loss of habitat, a decrease in biological diversity, and altered water and nutrient cycles and availability.

Microbial activities and foliar uptake of nitrogen in the epiphytic bromeliad Vriesea gigantea

In contrast to terrestrial plants, epiphytic tank bromeliads take up nutrients mainly over their tank leaf surface. The form in which nutrients are available in the tanks is determined by the source and the complex interplay between tank microbes, which transform them and the epiphytes that take them up. To elucidate the importance of different nitrogenous compounds for the nitrogen (N) nutrition of Vriesea gigantea from the Atlantic Rainforest, Brazil, N transformation processes in tank water as well as foliar uptake rates were estimated by 15N labelling techniques. Microorganisms actively transformed N compounds in the tank. Specifically, organic N compounds were rapidly mineralized to NH4+, while nitrification was negligible. Plants took up both organic and inorganic N forms, with a clear preference for NH4+. NH4+ comprised the largest and, because of fast mineralization rates, the most constant dissolved N pool in the tank water. Excretion of ureases by the plants together with an unusual uptake kinetic for urea also suggests that urea may be potentially important as an N source.

Distribution and Flowering Ecology of Bromeliads along Two Climatically Contrasting Elevational Transects in the Bolivian Andes1

ABSTRACTWe compared the diversity, taxonomic composition, and pollination syndromes of bromeliad assemblages and the diversity and abundance of hummingbirds along two climatically contrasting elevational gradients in Bolivia. Elevational patterns of bromeliad species richness differed noticeably between transects. Along the continuously wet Carrasco transect, species richness peaked at mid‐elevations, whereas at Masicurí most species were found in the hot, semiarid lowlands. Bromeliad assemblages were dominated by large epiphytic tank bromeliads at Carrasco and by small epiphytic, atmospheric tillandsias at Masicurí. In contrast to the epiphytic taxa, terrestrial bromeliads showed similar distributions across both transects. At Carrasco, hummingbird‐pollination was the most common pollination mode, whereas at Masicurí most species were entomophilous. The proportion of ornithophilous species increased with elevation on both transects, whereas entomophily showed the opposite pattern. At Carrasco, the percentage of ornithophilous bromeliad species was significantly correlated with hummingbird abundance but not with hummingbird species richness. Bat‐pollination was linked to humid, tropical conditions in accordance with the high species richness of bats in tropical lowlands. At Carrasco, mixed hummingbird/bat‐pollination was found especially at mid‐elevations, i.e., on the transition between preferential bat‐pollination in the lowlands and preferential hummingbird‐pollination in the highlands. In conclusion, both richness patterns and pollination syndromes of bromeliad assemblages varied in distinct and readily interpretable ways in relation to environmental humidity and temperature, and bromeliad pollination syndromes appear to follow the elevational gradients exhibited by their pollinators.

Morphological Variation in Two Facultative Epiphytic Bromeliads Growing on the Floor of a Swamp Forest1

ABSTRACTThe epiphytic tank bromeliads Nidularium procerum (a CAM plant) and TV. innocentii (a C3 plant) can be found as terrestrial plants in the understory of a Brazilian swamp forest. They occur in segregated patches differing in light and flooding regimes; however, plants of each species are found in the other species preferred habitat in a narrow boundary zone where the two populations meet. Although ecophysiological factors were previously thought to dictate the distribution of these species at this site, we suggest that their current distribution is probably related to colonization history and subsequent competition for space.

Survival, Growth, and Ecosystem Dynamics of Displaced Bromeliads in a Montane Tropical Forest1

ABSTRACTEpiphytes generally occupy arboreal perches, which are inherently unstable environments due to periodic windstorms, branch falls, and treefalls. During high wind events, arboreal bromeliads are often knocked from the canopy and deposited on the forest floor. In this study, we used a common epiphytic tank bromeliad, Guzmania berteroniana (R. & S.) Mez, to determine if fallen bromeliads can survive, grow, and reproduce on the forest floor and evaluate the potential impact of adult dispersal on plant and soil nutrient pools. Bromeliads were transplanted to and from tree stems and the forest floor and monitored intensively for six months; survival, growth, and impacts on ecosystem nutrient pools were followed on a subset of plants for 16 months. Six months after transplanting, bromeliad mortality was low (3%), and 19 percent of study individuals had flowered and produced new juvenile shoots. Mortality on the subset of plants followed for 16 months was 14–30 percent. Although survival rates were relatively high in all habitats, bromeliads transplanted to trees grew significantly more root length (x̄± SE: 189 ± 43 cm) than those moved to the forest floor (53 ±15 cm) and experienced lower rates of leaf area loss. All transplanted bromeliads rapidly altered the substrate they occupied. Individuals transplanted to and among trees rapidly decreased base cation concentrations but significantly increased P concentrations of their underlying substrate. On the ground, bromeliads increased C, N, and P concentrations within nine months of placement. Our results suggest that in this montane tropical forest, bromeliads respond rapidly to displacement, locally modify their substrates, and can access the resources needed for survival regardless of habitat.

Survival, Growth, and Ecosystem Dynamics of Displaced Bromeliads in a Montane Tropical Forest1

Epiphytes generally occupy arboreal perches, which are inherently unstable environments due to periodic windstorms, branch falls, and treefalls. During high wind events, arboreal bromeliads are often knocked from the canopy and deposited on the forest floor. In this study, we used a common epiphytic tank bromeliad, Guzmania berteroniana (R. & S.) Mez, to determine if fallen bromeliads can survive, grow, and reproduce on the forest floor and evaluate the potential impact of adult dispersal on plant and soil nutrient pools. Bromeliads were transplanted to and from tree stems and the forest floor and monitored intensively for six months; survival, growth, and impacts on ecosystem nutrient pools were followed on a subset of plants for 16 months. Six months after transplanting, bromeliad mortality was low (3%), and 19 percent of study individuals had flowered and produced new juvenile shoots. Mortality on the subset of plants followed for 16 months was 14–30 percent. Although survival rates were relatively high in all habitats, bromeliads transplanted to trees grew significantly more root length (x̄ ± SE: 189 ± 43 cm) than those moved to the forest floor (53 ± 15 cm) and experienced lower rates of leaf area loss. All transplanted bromeliads rapidly altered the substrate they occupied. Individuals transplanted to and among trees rapidly decreased base cation concentrations but significantly increased P concentrations of their underlying substrate. On the ground, bromeliads increased C, N, and P concentrations within nine months of placement. Our results suggest that in this montane tropical forest, bromeliads respond rapidly to displacement, locally modify their substrates, and can access the resources needed for survival regardless of habitat.