Epiphytes in Indonesia!

[BenR]

Over the summer Grant Harris and I began the first study of the canopy on the island of Buton, Indonesia.

 

The project involved sampling epiphytes in the canopy of the rainforest. Forest canopies are understudied extremely diverse and contribute a huge amount to nutrient cycling, biodiversity, modifying micro climate and climate globally.

 

I thought I'd just put up some photos from the trip and later on I'll put up some video too

 

A few of some of the wildlife:thumbup:

[BenR]

A few more, finishing up with the first epiphyte we collected.

[BenR]

Epipyhtes are sampled from 1st and 2nd order branches. The number of species, height at which the species is found, compass facing and branch order are recorded for each sample.

Epiphyte sampling yielded some interesting results. It appears strangler figs have higher epiphyte species richness and diversity due to the structural complexity of their growth habit providing a better environment for epiphytes to colonise when compared to non-stranlger trees. On average we would find 10 species of epiphyte per tree on strangler figs, compared to around 5 species per tree on non-stranglers.

 

First up a baby strangler fig, Just starting it's attack on the host tree. The project was great fun and we even got to take some students up into the canopy:001_cool:

[BenR]

However, the strangler/non strangler hypothesis may not be the only factor at play. The bark roughness appears to have a significant influence on the abundance of vascular epiphytes and bropyhtes in the canopies of non strangler trees Rougher bark provides an easier substrate for Bryophytes to colonise, which is turn help retain moisture and make it easier for the larger vascular epiphytes to colonise trees. Further factors to be considered are the density of the canopy, micro climate and tree age/size.

 

Canopy density is directly correlated with the amount of light available at different strata within the canopy. Thus, as a general rule many of the trees studied appear to have a greater abundance of epiphytes higher in the canopy. This gradient of light and abundance is strictly a hypothesis and requires further analysis of the data collect.

 

Micro climate, will enevitably play a role in determining the type and abundance of epipyhtes present. Purely from observation, several species of epiphyte were found at one site that were not present on any of the trees sampled at another site.

 

The age and size of trees is also an important factor determining the epipyhtes present. Larger trees not only have a greater surface area of bark providing more potential sites for epiphytes, but the larger trees are often older, contain more deadwood and get more light in the upper strata of the canopy.

 

All food for thought until the data is fully analysed.

[BenR]

We managed to make time for a bit of fun too though:thumbup1:

 

We setup a pretty massive traverse between two emergent trees about 50m apart!

[BenR]

It wasnt all that glamorous though, We spent a large amount of time soaked to the skin all day for the first few weeks before the weather picked up

[sloth]

You lucky, lucky son of *****!

Hope you have a great time and keep us all updated

[BenR]

and some more

[BenR]

Luckily, it looks like we are going back next year to help guide university students through the process of conducting their own canopy research working alongside our team for the season:001_smile:

[BenR]

Oh, by the way, we collected some pretty cool epiphytes for botanical identification too

 

Haha Sloth, I am very lucky to have got this gig, but its also taken a s**t ton of hard work and pestering people to get the chance. I'm very happy with the way things are going at the moment.. Just need to get some work contract climbing again now! 2 months off and its gone a bit quiet! Coming in slowly though:biggrin: