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Causes and Consequences of Epiphyll Colonization

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Tropical Forest Plant Ecophysiology

Abstract

Leaves, particularly those in humid tropical regions, are frequently colonized by epiphylls (Richards, 1954; Pocs, 1982). Epiphyllous communities are generally dominated by lichens and liverworts, although mosses, algae, fungi, and bacteria can also occur (Winkler, 1971; Smith, 1982; Andrews & Hirano, 1991). The interactions between epiphylls and host leaves have not been well studied, but here we suggest that epiphylls may have significant ecological and evolutionary effects on their hosts. We briefly summarize physiological performances of lichens and liverworts. We examine the influence of abiotic factors on the extent of epiphyll colonization and on competitive outcomes among different epiphyllous species. We review the evidence for both positive and negative effects of epiphyll occupation on the host leaves. And finally, we present evidence that host leaf characteristics can influence the rates of epiphyll colonization.

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Authors
  1. Phyllis D. Coley
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  2. Thomas A. Kursar
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biology, University of Missouri, St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA

    Stephen S. Mulkey

  2. Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA

    Robin L. Chazdon

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Coley, P.D., Kursar, T.A. (1996). Causes and Consequences of Epiphyll Colonization. In: Mulkey, S.S., Chazdon, R.L., Smith, A.P. (eds) Tropical Forest Plant Ecophysiology. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-1163-8_12

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-1163-8_12

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