Epiphytic Orchid Diversity along an Altitudinal Gradient in Central Nepal

Epiphytic orchids are common in subtropical forests, but little is known about the factors that determine their diversity. We surveyed two sites (north-facing Phulchowki and south-facing Shivapuri hills), in the sub-tropical forest in the Kathmandu valley, central Nepal. Along five transects per site, spanning an altitudinal gradient of 1525–2606 m a.s.l., we recorded all epiphytic orchids and the host species on which they were growing. The data were analyzed using a generalized linear model (GLM) and redundancy analysis (RDA). Species richness significantly decreased with increasing altitude and was higher in larger hosts and in places with high temperature. Species composition was affected by altitude, distance from the forest edge, host type, and precipitation. This study indicates that the most important factors affecting epiphytic orchid diversity was altitude, even if other factors were associated with patterns in composition. The low-altitude habitats with high species diversity are the best places for epiphytic orchids in this region. The altitudinal species richness and patterns in composition revealed by this study provide a baseline for further studies on epiphytic orchids.

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The vertical distribution of epiphytic orchids on Schima wallichii trees in a montane forest in West Java, Indonesia

Biodiversitas Journal of Biological Diversity ◽

10.13057/biodiv/d210136 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Indra Fardhani ◽

Takeshi Torimaru ◽

Hiromitsu Kisanuki

Keyword(s):

Species Richness ◽

Vertical Distribution ◽

Montane Forest ◽

Host Tree ◽

West Java ◽

Epiphytic Orchids ◽

Epiphytic Orchid ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Schima Wallichii ◽

The Vertical Distribution

Abstract. Fardhani I, Torimaru T, Kisanuki H. 2020. The vertical distribution of epiphytic orchids on Schima wallichii trees in a montane forest in West Java, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 21: 290-298. Schima wallichii Choisy. is a mostly montane species native to the island of Java; it grows on degraded land areas and is widely used for forest restoration. We studied the vertical distribution of epiphytic orchids on these trees in montane forest on Mt. Sanggara, West Java, Indonesia. To this end, 40 S. wallichii trees with diameter at breast height (DBH) > 20 cm were chosen haphazardly and their epiphytic orchids were identified The diameter and height of each host tree were measured. The position of each epiphytic orchid on each host tree was allocated to one of five zones using Johansson’s method. In total, 39 epiphytic orchid species were identified on 40 host trees at the study site. There was no significant difference in orchid abundance or species richness between crown zones. However, there were significant differences in orchid abundance and species richness between trunks and crowns. Host tree size (DBH) and the number of branches were positively correlated with orchid abundance and species richness. The numbers of orchids and other epiphytic plants were positively correlated in the mid-crown and outer-crown. S. wallichii trees are essential for the epiphytic orchid community because they produce many branches that are suitable for colonization.

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Bryophyte Species Richness and Composition along an Altitudinal Gradient in Gongga Mountain, China

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0058131 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 8 (3) ◽

pp. e58131 ◽

Cited By ~ 33

Author(s):

Shou-Qin Sun ◽

Yan-Hong Wu ◽

Gen-Xu Wang ◽

Jun Zhou ◽

Dong Yu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Species Richness ◽

Altitudinal Gradient ◽

Gongga Mountain

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Distribution of moss-inhabiting diatoms along an altitudinal gradient at sub-Antarctic Îles Kerguelen

Antarctic Science ◽

10.1017/s0954102007000041 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 19 (1) ◽

pp. 17-24 ◽

Cited By ~ 19

Author(s):

Niek J.M. Gremmen ◽

Bart van de Vijver ◽

Yves Frenot ◽

Marc Lebouvier

Keyword(s):

Species Richness ◽

Species Composition ◽

Altitudinal Gradient ◽

Cross Validation ◽

Strong Relationship ◽

Distribution Patterns ◽

Common Species ◽

Important Variable ◽

Diatom Species ◽

Expected Species Richness

Altitudinal gradients provide excellent opportunities to study relationships between species distribution and climatic variables. We studied the species composition of 39 samples of moss-inhabiting diatoms, collected at 50 m intervals from 100–650 m above sea level. The samples contained a total of 130 diatom species, of which 51 occurred in 10 or more samples. Altitude appeared to be the most important variable explaining variation in species composition. Of the 51 common species, 33 showed a significant relationship with altitude. Although the majority of the latter declined with increasing altitude, for nine species the probability of occurrence first increased with increasing elevation, but decreased again at higher altitudes, and four species increased systematically with elevation. As a result, expected species richness per sample decreased from an estimated 43 at 100 m to 25 species per sample at 650 m. Diatom distribution patterns proved to be suitable predictors of the altitudinal position of sample sites. Cross-validation yielded a strong relationship between predicted and observed altitudes.

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Dynamics and Edge Effect of an Atlantic Forest Fragment in Brazil

Floresta e Ambiente ◽

10.1590/2179-8087.064713 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 23 (3) ◽

pp. 340-349 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Poliana Gabriella Araújo Mendes ◽

Maria Amanda Menezes Silva ◽

Tassiane Novacosque Feitosa Guerra ◽

Ana Carolina Borges Lins-e-Silva ◽

Airton de Deus Cysneiros Cavalcanti ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Species Richness ◽

Atlantic Forest ◽

Edge Effect ◽

Woody Plants ◽

Response Times ◽

Forest Edge ◽

Northeastern Brazil ◽

Forest Fragment ◽

Canopy Tree ◽

Forest Interior

ABSTRACT The woody plants in an edge area formed approximately 35 years ago in an Atlantic Forest fragment in northeastern Brazil were examined, and three environments defined: edge, intermediate, and interior. Canopy tree densities and basal areas were found to be similar in all three environments, and also similar to previous published studies in the same region; species richness was greatest at the forest edge. The understory showed greater species richness in the forest interior, but greater diversity and equitability in the intermediate environment. Understory environments close to the forest edge demonstrated larger stem diameters than in the forest interior, although at lesser densities and with smaller total basal areas. Our results indicated the existence of distinct patterns in canopy and understory that most likely reflect differences in the response times of these two vegetation layers, with the understory being more sensitive to alterations in environmental structure.

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