The epiphyte communities of a montane rain forest in the Andes of Venezuela: patterns in the distribution of the flora

2004 ◽  
Vol 20 (6) ◽  
pp. 643-666 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel L. Kelly ◽  
Grace O'Donovan ◽  
Jane Feehan ◽  
Susan Murphy ◽  
Svein O. Drangeid ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Forest Structure ◽  
Rain Forest ◽  
Environmental Variables ◽  
Horizontal Gradient ◽  
Indicator Species Analysis ◽  
Montane Rain Forest ◽  
The Andes ◽  
Species Analysis ◽  
Epiphyte Communities ◽  
Angiosperm Species

The dependent flora was surveyed on 20 trees at a 1.5-ha site in montane rain forest at 2600 m altitude in western Venezuela. Vascular species were recorded over the whole site and totalled 120 epiphytes, 21 climbers, 3 hemiepiphytes, 5 nomadic vines and 6 mistletoes. Non-vascular species were recorded within 95 sample plots and totalled 22 mosses, 66 liverworts and 46 macrolichens. The angiosperm species were restricted in geographical range to the Neotropics; 22.1% were endemic to Venezuela. Pteridophyte and bryophyte species were largely restricted to the Neotropics but few were endemic. Macrolichen species were mostly pantropical or cosmopolitan; only 9.6% were restricted to the Neotropics and none was endemic. Canonical Correspondence Analysis found the environmental variables most closely correlated with variation in community composition to be height above ground and a horizontal gradient reflecting differences in forest structure. The epiphytic vegetation was classified using Two-way Indicator Species Analysis into a Syrrhopodon gaudichaudii–Elaphoglossum hoffmannii group of lower trunks, an Omphalanthus filiformis–Maxillaria miniata group of intermediate levels and an Usnea–Parmotrema group of upper crowns. Diversity increased with height above ground; non-vascular diversity was greatest in upper crowns whereas vascular diversity was greatest at intermediate levels. Similarity levels were low among sample plots of the same community, whereas between-tree and between-stand similarities were relatively high.

scholarly journals Diversität epiphytischer Moose eines westandinen Bergregenwaldes in Ecuador

1998 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 29-43
Author(s):  
Ute Müller ◽  
Jan-Peter Frahm
Keyword(s):  
Correlation Analysis ◽  
Rain Forest ◽  
Ecological Factors ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Species Number ◽  
Branch Diameter ◽  
Montane Rain Forest ◽  
Species Numbers ◽  
The Andes ◽  
Average Water

The epiphytic bryophytes on tree trunks as well on branches and twigs of the canopy were studied in a montane rain forest in the Andes 110 km SW of Quito at about 2000 m elevation. Ten trees were examined on which 65 species (24 mooses and 41 liverworts) were found. The bryophyte flora of the stems consists of 14 species and is related on a level of up to 80%. The branches are inhabited by 58 species. The composition of species on branches of different trees (except those from the same trees) have a correspondence of less than 40%. The correspondence of the bryophytes on twigs of different trees is even lower. Twigs are inhabited by 24 species. Correlation analysis between species numbers and ecological factors revealed no significant correlation between species number and branch diameter, branch exposition and elevation. However, a correlation was found between increasing pH of the bark and decreasing species numbers. The average dry weight of epiphytic bryophytes was 80g/m2 on trunks, 1873 g/m2 on branches and 1230 g/m2 on twigs. The average water storing capacity of epiphytic bryophytes is 0.57 l/m2 on trunks, 19,5l/m2 on branches and 4.16 l/m2 on twigs and is thus ten times of the dry weight on branches but three times of dry weight on twigs. A representative tree of 27 m height has an average 65,4 kg dry weight of epiphytic bryophytes, which can store 669 liters of water. 10600 kg phytomass per hectare are estimated.

Preliminary studies on forest structure and floristics on Volcán Barva, Costa Rica

1990 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 307-320 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angela Heaney ◽  
John Proctor
Keyword(s):  
Costa Rica ◽  
Forest Structure ◽  
Rain Forest ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Forest Species ◽  
Field Station ◽  
Parent Materials ◽  
Montane Rain Forest ◽  
Vascular Epiphytes

ABSTRACTVolcán Barva, Costa Rica, has on its northern slope an unbroken sequence of rain forest on volcanic parent materials from near sea level at La Selva Field Station up to its summit at 2906 m. It provides a good area to study forest changes with altitude and their causes. In the present paper we describe the forests as a background for soil and litterfall studies from 1 ha plots at each of the following altitudes: 100 m, 500 m, 1000 m, 1500 m, 2000 m and 2600 m. The canopy heights (with height of the highest emergent in parentheses) ranged from 35–40 m (45 m) at 100 m to 20–23 m (32 m) at 2600 m; basal area was least (22.7 m2) at 100 m and highest (51.2 m2) at 2600 m; the tree (≥10 cm dbh) density ranged from 391 ha–1at 500 m to 617 ha–1 at 2600 m. Most trees were identified and on samples of them we recorded presence of buttresses, lianes, skiophytic climbers, vascular epiphytes and bryophytes; and drew profile diagrams. In the classification of Whitmore (1984) the two lower plots are evergreen lowland rain forests; the other four are lower montane rain forest. Species richness was highest in the plot at 500 m, with at least 135 species of tree, and least at 2600 m, with at least 35 species. The Volcán Barva forest altitudinal sequence is briefly compared with those elsewhere.

Tree Diversity, Forest Structure and Productivity along Altitudinal and Topographical Gradients in a Species-Rich Ecuadorian Montane Rain Forest

Biotropica ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 42 (2) ◽  
pp. 140-148 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jürgen Homeier ◽  
Siegmar-W. Breckle ◽  
Sven Günter ◽  
Rütger T. Rollenbeck ◽  
Christoph Leuschner
Keyword(s):  
Forest Structure ◽  
Rain Forest ◽  
Tree Diversity ◽  
Montane Rain Forest

scholarly journals Influence of environmental variations on the formation of microhabitats within a fragment of Seasonally Dry Tropical Forest - SDTF, Brazil

2018 ◽  
Vol 42 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gabriela Gomes Pires de Paula ◽  
Rubens Manoel dos Santos ◽  
Gisele Cristina de Oliveira Menino ◽  
Deborah Mattos Guimarães Apgaua ◽  
Diego Gualberto Sales Pereira ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tropical Forests ◽  
Indicator Species ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Environmental Variables ◽  
Indicator Species Analysis ◽  
Seasonally Dry ◽  
Species Analysis ◽  
Seasonally Dry Tropical Forests ◽  
Dry Tropical Forests ◽  
Environmental Variations

ABSTRACT Caatinga represents one of the two major centers of Seasonally Dry Tropical Forests (SDTF) and is completely inserted in the Brazilian territory. The present work aimed to evaluate the structure of two micro-environments and relate them to environmental variables. Twenty 20 × 20 m plots were placed in which we measured the height and CBH and made the botanical identification of all trees with CBH ≥10 cm. The CCA and indicator species analysis presented a clear distribution of species according to the micro-environments. We concluded that the presence of limestone slabs provided the formation of microhabitats, thus influencing the distribution and composition of tree species, what characterized the phytoecological unit here referred as “furados”.

Spring Bird Community Structure in Response to Habitat Heterogeneity in a Subtropical Hilly Landscape

2014 ◽  
Vol 1010-1012 ◽  
pp. 121-125
Author(s):  
Wen Bin Li ◽  
Zhi Ming Mo ◽  
Xing Ting Chen ◽  
Chun Huang ◽  
Ming Feng Xu
Keyword(s):  
Indicator Species ◽  
Habitat Heterogeneity ◽  
Southern China ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Bird Communities ◽  
Bird Diversity ◽  
Indicator Species Analysis ◽  
Heterogeneous Habitats ◽  
Species Analysis ◽  
The Impact

To examine the impact of habitat heterogeneity on the bird communities, we investigated the structural differences of various bird communities occurring in heterogeneous habitats in the subtropical hilly areas of southern China. We used indicator Species Analysis (ISA) to test the association of specific bird species to particular habitats. We performed Two-way Cluster Analysis to find species patterning in response to habitat fragmentation. Our results demonstrated that heterogeneous habitats promoted bird diversity and human activities affected bird behavior. Indicator Species Analysis demonstrated that similar habitats had similar bird communities, while different habitats supported various bird indicator species. Although habitat diversity increased bird diversity of a region, it was unfavorable for the maintenance of specialized birds in the forests of the subtropical hilly area.

Classification of vegetation communities in which geese rear broods on the Yukon – Kuskokwim delta, Alaska

1994 ◽  
Vol 72 (9) ◽  
pp. 1294-1301 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher A. Babcock ◽  
Craig R. Ely
Keyword(s):  
Salt Marsh ◽  
Plant Communities ◽  
Indicator Species Analysis ◽  
Future Studies ◽  
Brood Rearing ◽  
Species Analysis ◽  
Twinspan Classification ◽  
Vegetation Complexes ◽  
Air Photo

Plant communities are described from an area on the Yukon – Kuskokwim (Y-K) delta of Alaska that is used extensively for brood rearing by three species of geese. Earlier studies identified plant species important as food for young geese, but few studies describe or quantify plant communities. We classified species presence or absence information from over 700 quadrats using a two-way indicator species analysis (TWINSPAN) and then tested for agreement of signatures on colour infrared air photos with the identified communities. Sedges were found to dominate all but the wettest and driest communities. Most of the brood-rearing area was covered by Carex ramenskii and Carex rariflora meadows, ponds, Carex mackenziei-dominated pond margins, and C. ramenskii and grass levee meadows. Our interpretation of airphotos accurately predicted vegetation community classes, which will facilitate future studies of habitat selection by geese during the time they are rearing young. The TWINSPAN classification was comparable to classifications of studies conducted elsewhere on the Y-K delta. The interpretation of air photos will enable the identification and evaluation of wetland vegetation complexes and potential goose brood-rearing areas away from our study site. Key words: air-photo interpretation, Alaska, plant communities, salt marsh, Yukon – Kuskokwim delta.

Melastomataceae in a continental Atlantic Forest island from southeastern Brazil

Phytotaxa ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 183 (2) ◽  
pp. 61 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kelly Cristina Silva-Gonçalves ◽  
José Fernando Andrade Baumgratz ◽  
André Felippe Nunes-Freitas
Keyword(s):  
Coastal Plain ◽  
Rain Forest ◽  
New Records ◽  
Southeastern Brazil ◽  
Montane Rain Forest ◽  
Phenological Data ◽  
Forest Plant Species ◽  
Ombrophilous Forest ◽  
Forest Island ◽  
Insular Region

The Marambaia is an important natural refuge for preserving the genetic heritage of several rain forest plant species. In this insular region, where the vegetation types are Lower Montane Rain Forest and restingas (sandy coastal plain habitat), the impressive diversity of Melastomataceae consists of seven genera and 25 species of which 13 represent new records for the area. Miconia is best represented with 10 species, followed by Tibouchina (6 spp.), Leandra (4 spp.), Clidemia (2 spp.) and Huberia, Marcetia and Ossaea (1 sp. each). Most of the species are shrubs or trees and occur in Dense Submontane Ombrophilous Forest. Huberia ovalifolia DC., Leandra acutiflora (Naudin) Cogn. and Leandra melastomoides Raddi are cited in the list of endangered species for the municipality of Rio de Janeiro. An identification key is provided as well as descriptions, illustrations, comments on morphological peculiarities of species, and geographical and phenological data.

Two Way Indicator Species Analysis (TWINSPAN) of the Herbaceous Vegetation in an Inland Wetland Ecosystem of Doon Valley Himalaya, India

1970 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
pp. 23-31 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. K. Manhas ◽  
M. K. Gautam ◽  
Deepa Kumari
Keyword(s):  
Soil Moisture ◽  
Key Words ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Indicator Species ◽  
Indigenous Species ◽  
Indicator Species Analysis ◽  
Wetland Ecosystem ◽  
Herbaceous Vegetation ◽  
Doon Valley ◽  
Species Analysis

In swamp distribution, dominance and survival of a species is very much governed by the soil moisture and period of flooding. The present study was conducted to classify the communities and plant species, and to have an idea about various associations of plants present in the swamp with respect to soil moisture. Two way indicator species analysis (TWINSPAN) classified the communities into four and plant species into eleven groups. The communities with least soil moisture were the first to be segregated and with highest soil moisture last. Similarly, the species growing in drier condition was clustered separately from the moisture loving indigenous species. Key words: TWINSPAN; vegetation; inland wetland; India DOI: 10.3126/jowe.v3i0.2433 Journal of Wetlands Ecology, (2009) Vol. 3, pp 23-31

scholarly journals Ichthyofauna of streams from the lower Iguaçu River basin, Paraná State, Brazil

2016 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Crislei Larentis ◽  
Rosilene Luciana Delariva ◽  
Louise Cristina Gomes ◽  
Dirceu Baumgartner ◽  
Igor Paiva Ramos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
River Basin ◽  
Fish Fauna ◽  
Main Channel ◽  
Indicator Species Analysis ◽  
Irreversible Loss ◽  
Species Analysis ◽  
Geomorphological Processes ◽  
Nmds Analysis ◽  
Iguaçu River

Abstract The drainages of the Iguaçu River basin, as well as the main channel of the river, have peculiar characteristics resulting from geomorphological processes in this area, including the formation of the Iguaçu River Falls. This slope in the lower portion of the basin is a biogeographical barrier to many organisms. In this study was inventoried the fish fauna of streams of the lower Iguaçu River basin, evaluating possible differences in the species composition upstream and downstream of this biogeographical barrier. Sampling were conducted between 2004 and 2013, in five streams, three upstream and two downstream of the Iguaçu River Falls, using electrofishing. The nMDS analysis was run to investigate possible groupings of similar fauna between the streams sampled. The scores of this test were tested as to the significance of groupings with the Hotelling T2 test. The indicator value method (IndVal) was used to detect the distribution of species among the groups of the streams upstream and downstream of the Iguaçu River Falls. We collected 18,908 individuals of six orders, 11 families, and 40 species. Siluriformes and Characiformes had the highest species richness; Cyprinodontiformes presented the highest abundance. Considering the species recorded, 21 are considered natives to the Iguaçu River basin, including 15 endemic, wich were found only in streams upstream of the falls. Additional 18 species were verified only in the streams downstream of such barrier. Four species were common to both stretches. The axis 1 of the nMDS separated two groups: streams upstream (S1, S2 and S3) and streams downstream of the Iguaçu River Falls (S4 and S5). The indicator species analysis also indicated a distinction between the groups of streams, that were significantly different (Hotelling's T2 = 234.36, p ˂ 0.0001). The number of endemic species in the streams upstream of the Falls (15 spp.) evidences a significant effect of isolation promoted by the Iguaçu River Falls, and confirms the role of this barrier in the vicariant processes and endemism typical of this basin. These results emphasize the importance of conserving these ecosystems, once the extinction of species in this region means the irreversible loss of them.

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