TITLE:
Do Epiphytes in Drier Climates Select Host Tree Substrates between Rough and Smooth Bole Textures and Crown and Stem, Vertical and Upright Stems? What Are the Implications for Water Catchment and Forest Management?
AUTHORS:
Chansa Chomba
KEYWORDS:
Epiphyte, Humid, Bark Texture, Rough Bole, Smooth Bole, Horizontal
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Ecology,
Vol.4 No.10,
July
29,
2014
ABSTRACT: Epiphyte biomass (dry weight kg) placement between rough and smooth bole
bark textures; crown and trunk as well as upright and horizontal substrates in
Lusenga National Park were examined through ground surveys. Transects were
located at random in woody vegetation using quadrats 20 m × 20 m which were
located every 100 m along 1 km long transects. For every host tree substrate
sampled, tree species was identified and bark texture was determined. Presence
and location of epiphytes were determined through direct observation. Epiphytes
were collected, dried and weighed, so as to apportion biomass between rough and
smooth bole textures, crown and trunk as well as stem inclination. Rough bole
textured stems had more epiphytes of 1967 kg (89%)
than smooth bole substrates of 313.48 kg (11%) and also inclined stems had
higher biomass of 85% than vertical stems of 14.64% (χ2 = P successional colonization, incidences of host species specificity, rain
water interception and retention and impact of fire on epiphyte biomass as
these are important water catchment attributes.