Plant structure predicts leaf litter capture in the tropical montane bromeliad Tillandsia turneri

Abstract

Leaves intercepted by bromeliads become an important energy and matter resource for invertebrate communities, bacteria, fungi, and the plant itself. The relationship between bromeliad structure, defined as its size and complexity, and accumulated leaf litter was studied in 55 bromeliads of Tillandsia turneri through multiple regression and the Akaike information criterion. Leaf litter accumulation in bromeliads was best explained by size and complexity variables such as plant cover, sheath length, and leaf number. In conclusion, plant structure determines the amount of litter that enters bromeliads, and changes in its structure could affect important processes within ecosystem functioning or species richness.Keywords: leaf litter, Bromeliaceae, plant structure, tropical montane forest.A estrutura da planta determina a folhagem interceptada pela bromelia Tillandsiaturneri ResumoAs folhagens interceptadas pelas bromélias é um importante recurso para a comunidade de invertebrados, bactérias, fungos e para a própria planta. Estudou-se a relação entre a estrutura de 55 bromélias de Tillandsia tumeri, definida como o tamanho, a complexidade da planta, a folhagem acumulada por meio de regressão múltipla e o critério de informação de Akaike. Encontrou-se que as variáveis de tamanho, cobertura, comprimento da bainha e a variável de complexidade do número de folhas explicam a acumulação de folhas nas bromélias. Em conclusão, a estrutura do planta determina a quantidade de folhas armazenada na bromélia e os câmbios da estrutura da bromélia poderiam afetar importantes processos de funcionamento do ecossistema ou a riqueza de espécies.Palavras-chave: folhagens, Bromeliaceae, estrutura do planta, floresta tropical montana.

Litter‐trapping tank bromeliads in five different forests: Carbon and nutrient pools and fluxes

“…Projected plant area is a frequently used morphological trait to predict BLC and TL because it reflects not only plant size but also the area for litter interception (Castaño‐Meneses, 2016; Ospina‐Bautista & Estévez Varón, 2016; Richardson, 1999; Richardson et al, 2000). However, this variable and other morphological traits such as sheath length, and leaf number have only poorly explained litter capture by bromeliads (ca.…”

“…However, this variable and other morphological traits such as sheath length, and leaf number have only poorly explained litter capture by bromeliads (ca. 30% of the variance) (Ospina‐Bautista & Estévez Varón, 2016). Unsurprisingly, the results of our LME confirmed a positive effect of PA on BLC, and a significant interaction between month and site, which reflects the differences in litterfall seasonality among forests.…”

“…Projected plant area is a frequently used morphological trait to predict BLC and TL because it reflects not only plant size but also the area for litter interception (Castaño-Meneses, 2016;Ospina-Bautista & Estévez Varón, 2016;Richardson, 1999;Richardson et al, 2000).…”

“…Although the ecological importance of tank bromeliads is acknowledged, and they have served as model ecosystems for studying trophic interactions and food webs (Srivastava et al, 2020), quantitative models of litter capture and storage in these plants are surprisingly rare. The few published studies generally focus on phytotelm fauna (Carrias et al, 2001; Castaño‐Meneses, 2016; Paoletti et al, 1991; Richardson, 1999), and measurements of bromeliad litter capture (BLC) are only indirect (Ospina‐Bautista & Estévez Varón, 2016). Moreover, there is a knowledge gap regarding the composition and seasonal variation of litter capture by bromeliads, and carbon and nutrient pools in these plants at the ecosystem level are generally based on their density while variation in size and species identity is ignored (Paoletti et al, 1991; Richardson et al, 2000).…”

Morpho-ecological structure of oribatid mite (Acariformes, Oribatida) communities in the forest litter of recultivated areas

“…Summarizing all the above, it should be noted that forest floor litter thanks to a number of physical properties of its structure -non-high density, loose composition, saturation with various gases, high air and water permeability, increased heat capacity, creates a specific ecological environment influencing all vital aspects of its biota. Although floor litter covers soil and through biochemical and physical pathways transforms part of its resources and energy into soil, it is an independent biogeohorizon connecting phytocenosis and soil (Chornobai, 2000;Ospina-Bautista & Estévez Varón, 2016;Krishna & Mohan, 2017). It serves a number of functions as soil horizon: holds roots and rhizomes of forest plants, it is inhabited by many invertebrate animals, which make vertical migrations and promote formation of the biogenic profile of forest soils by their activity.…”