Epiphytic CAM bromeliads indicate vulnerability of tropical forest communities to climate change.

ABSTRACT:

Background and scope

Vascular epiphytes have a variety of mechanisms to trap and retain water, including crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM). Niche segregation was investigated for epiphytic bromeliads on the tropical Caribbean island of Trinidad, where habitats range from lowland deciduous forests to high-rainfall montane tropical forests, ~1000 m in elevation.

Methods

Four tank-impounding bromeliad epiphytes in the genus Aechmea (Ae. aquilega, Ae. fendleri, Ae. nudicaulis and Ae. dichlamydea) with CAM were mapped across their distinct geographical and elevational zonations in northern Trinidad and Tobago. Species distribution modelling was used to determine environmental limitations for each species. Anatomical and physiological measurements included leaf succulence traits,

SUBMITTER: Males J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10799987 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature