CAM plants: their importance in epiphyte communities and prospects with global change.

ABSTRACT:

Background and scope

The epiphytic life form characterizes almost 10 % of all vascular plants. Defined by structural dependence throughout their life and their non-parasitic relationship with the host, the term epiphyte describes a heterogeneous and taxonomically diverse group of plants. This article reviews the importance of crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) among epiphytes in current climatic conditions and explores the prospects under global change.

Results and conclusions

We question the view of a disproportionate importance of CAM among epiphytes and its role as a 'key innovation' for epiphytism but do identify ecological conditions in which epiphytic existence seems to be contingent on the presence of this photosynthetic pathway. Possibly divergent responses of CAM an

SUBMITTER: Zotz G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10799991 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature