Go with the flow: The extent of drag reduction as epiphytic bromeliads reorient in wind.

ABSTRACT: Vascular epiphytes represent almost 10% of all terrestrial plant diversity. Being structurally dependent on trees, epiphytes live at the interface of vegetation and atmosphere, making them susceptible to atmospheric changes. Despite the extensive research on vascular epiphytes, little is known about wind disturbance on these plants. Therefore, this study investigated the wind-epiphyte mechanical interactions by quantifying the drag forces on epiphytic bromeliads when subjected to increasing wind speeds (5-22 m s-1) in a wind tunnel. Drag coefficients (Cd) and Vogel exponents (B) were calculated to quantify the streamlining ability of different bromeliad species. Bromeliads' reconfiguration occurred first via bending and aligning leaves in the flow direction. Then leaves clustered and reduc

SUBMITTER: Tay JYL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8224879 | biostudies-literature | 2021

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature