How Much Water is in the Tank? Model Calculations for Two Epiphytic Bromeliads

Zotz, Gerhard; Thomas, Vera

doi:10.1006/anbo.1998.0809

Cited by 115 publications

(111 citation statements)

References 14 publications

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“…Also, the time in which the tank is empties is related to plant size. Smaller individuals of Tillandsia fasciculata Sw. and Guzmania monostachya (L.) Rusby ex Mez passed more time without water in the tank than larger individuals (Zotz and Thomas, 1999).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

“…Almost all studies related to bromeliad size have focused on the measurement of the responses of the photosynthetic apparatus, gas exchange, transpiration rates and morphological changes in relation to environmental factors (Adams and Martin, 1986a, b;Zotz, 1997;Zotz and Thomas, 1999). For example, adult tank-forming bromeliads under well-watered conditions show higher rates of CO 2 exchange and transpiration than smaller ones (Adams and Martin, 1986a).…”

Section: Raiza J Castillo Et Almentioning

confidence: 99%

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Drought and extreme temperature tolerance for <em>Tillandsia dasyliriifolia</em>, an epiphytic bromeliad from the northern coastal dune scrubland in Yucatan, Mexico

2016

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Abstract:The ecophysiological investigations about epiphytic plants have focused on the establishment of mechanistic explanations of how plants respond to changes in their environment. The main objective of this work was to assess the drought and extreme temperature tolerance of Tillandsia dasyliriifolia individuals growing in two coastal dune scrub sites with different precipitation patterns and microhabitat distribution. This study was focused on the effect of plant size on tolerance parameters. Drought and extreme temperature tolerance were evaluated in small (S1, 9 cm) and large individuals (S2, 35 cm). Tolerance between sites was not different but varied between size classes. Tillandsia dasyliriifolia shows moderate tolerance to drought in comparison to more succulent plants. The 50% of the leaves in small plants died after 40 days of drought and after 60 days for large plants. T. dasyliriifolia also exhibits moderate tolerance to extreme temperatures tolerance, small plants tolerate a temperature range from 11 ºC to 40 ºC and the range for large plants is a little broader (9 °C to 43 °C). Key words: Epiphyte, crassulacean acid metabolism, plant size, drought tolerance, temperature tolerance.Resumen: Las investigaciones ecofisiológicas sobre las plantas epífitas se centran en establecer mecanismos que expliquen cómo las plantas responden a los cambios en su entorno. El objetivo de este trabajo fue evaluar la tolerancia a la sequía y temperaturas extremas de individuos de Tillandsia dasyliriifolia provenientes de dos localidades de matorral de duna costera con diferentes patrones de precipitación, fisonomía y en la distribución de microhábitats. En ambos sitios se evaluó la tolerancia a la sequía y a temperaturas extremas de individuos de diferentes tamaños, 9 cm (S1) y 35 cm (S2). No se encontraron diferencias en las tolerancias entre sitios pero sí entre tamaños T. dasyliriifolia es moderadamente tolerante a la sequía, cuando se le compara con plantas más suculentas, ya que el 50 % de las hojas en individuos pequeños murieron hasta los 40 días de sequía y en los individuos grandes hasta los 60 días. La tolerancia a temperaturas extremas de T. dasyliriifolia también es moderada. Las plantas pequeñas toleran intervalos entre 11 ºC a 40 ºC mientras que las plantas más grandes de 9 ºC a 43 ºC. Palabras clave: Epifita, metabolismo ácido de las crasuláceas, tamaño de las plantas, tolerancia a la sequía, tolerancia a temperatura.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Section: Raiza J Castillo Et Almentioning

confidence: 99%

Drought and extreme temperature tolerance for <em>Tillandsia dasyliriifolia</em>, an epiphytic bromeliad from the northern coastal dune scrubland in Yucatan, Mexico

2016

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“…Tank bromeliads are in general very efficient in maintaining water in their tanks and therefore may create anoxic niches where methanogenesis can occur. However, tank slurries can be regularly exposed to oxygen and during periods of droughts tank slurries can completely dry out (Zotz and Thomas 1999). With the addition of 1 % CH 4 we solely targeted low-affinity methanotrophs that are adapted to grow at high CH 4 concentrations (Dunfield 2007).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Bromeliad tanks are unique habitats for microbial communities involved in methane turnover

2016

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Background and aims Tank bromeliads collect organic matter and rainwater (= tank slurry) between their densely arranged leaf axils for their nutrient demand. Diverse communities of microorganisms inhabit these tanks and are responsible for the breakdown of organic matter. Anaerobic degradation results in the release of substantial amounts of methane. We hypothesized that each individual bromeliad harbors its own microbial community, which is affected by chemical tank-slurry properties. We further hypothesized that methanotrophic bacteria inhabit bromeliad tank slurries, potentially able to oxidize the produced CH 4 . Methods We investigated communities of Bacteria, Archaea, methanogenic and methanotrophic microorganisms measuring their abundance (qPCR) and composition (TRFLP) within eight bromeliad tanks of the species Werauhia gladioliflora sampled in a Costa Rican lowland forest. Tank slurries were analyzed for pH, carbon, nitrogen, oxygen and fatty acid concentrations. Methane oxidation rates were determined in five bromeliad tank slurries.Results Our results showed that microbial communities differed between plants and were affected by chemical tank slurry properties. Further, not only methanogenic archaea but also methanotrophic bacteria were detected in the tanks of all bromeliad plants, the latter being potentially able to aerobically oxidize between 25 and 62 μg CH 4 gdw. Conclusion Our results indicate that every bromeliad tank is a unique island with respect to its resident microbial community. The presence of methanogens and active methanotrophs in all tank slurries further indicates the potential for both methane formation and methane oxidation.

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“…Equations of regression analysis (see Fig. 4 The respective tank volume (0.6 l) was calculated according to Zotz & Thomas (1999). Size and thickness of symbols and arrows reflect the proportional differences in pools and rates found.…”

Section: H Nhmentioning

confidence: 99%

Microbial activities and foliar uptake of nitrogen in the epiphytic bromeliad Vriesea gigantea

et al. 2007

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Summary• In contrast to terrestrial plants, epiphytic tank bromeliads take up nutrients mainly over their tank leaf surface. The form in which nutrients are available in the tanks is determined by the source and the complex interplay between tank microbes, which transform them and the epiphytes that take them up.• To elucidate the importance of different nitrogenous compounds for the nitrogen (N) nutrition of Vriesea gigantea from the Atlantic Rainforest, Brazil, N transformation processes in tank water as well as foliar uptake rates were estimated by 15 N labelling techniques.• Microorganisms actively transformed N compounds in the tank. Specifically, organic N compounds were rapidly mineralized to NH 4 + , while nitrification was negligible.• Plants took up both organic and inorganic N forms, with a clear preference for NH 4 + . NH 4 + comprised the largest and, because of fast mineralization rates, the most constant dissolved N pool in the tank water. Excretion of ureases by the plants together with an unusual uptake kinetic for urea also suggests that urea may be potentially important as an N source.

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How Much Water is in the Tank? Model Calculations for Two Epiphytic Bromeliads

Cited by 115 publications

References 14 publications

Drought and extreme temperature tolerance for <em>Tillandsia dasyliriifolia</em>, an epiphytic bromeliad from the northern coastal dune scrubland in Yucatan, Mexico

Drought and extreme temperature tolerance for <em>Tillandsia dasyliriifolia</em>, an epiphytic bromeliad from the northern coastal dune scrubland in Yucatan, Mexico

Bromeliad tanks are unique habitats for microbial communities involved in methane turnover

Microbial activities and foliar uptake of nitrogen in the epiphytic bromeliad Vriesea gigantea

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