Preserving biodiversity in remaining old-growth forests is a high priority for many land managers. To this end, we inventoried the diversity, abundance, and distribution of epiphyte species in one 318-year-old, 86 m tall Picea sitchensis tree on the north coast of California. In 39 plots, we recorded species present and mean percent cover for each species. Our findings include the following: 1) 68 epiphyte species were found in this one tree; 2) epiphyte diversity increased with height; 3) lichens had the highest diversity of all epiphyte classes; and 4) mosses had the highest percent cover of all epiphyte classes. These findings highlight the capacity for old trees to serve as reservoirs of biodiversity in younger forests.
How to translate text using browser tools
6 May 2019
Epiphyte Diversity, Abundance, and Distribution in an Old Sitka Spruce Crown
Alexander J. Gorman,
Lucy P. Kerhoulas,
Wade T. Polda,
Nicholas J. Kerhoulas
ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE
Evansia
Vol. 36 • No. 1
March 2019
Vol. 36 • No. 1
March 2019
lichen
moss
old-growth
Picea sitchensis
species richness