Distribution and species richness of vascular epiphytes in an old-growth beech forest

The species richness of epiphytes in a matured beech forest was studied. In a 1-ha plot established at Shirakawa village, Gifu prefecture, central Japan, the vascular epiphytes were investigated for phorophyte trees larger than 50 cm in trunk diameter at breast height. Species, height above ground level, and their location on trunk, were recorded. For this investigation, we used a 10-m long ladder for ascending phorophyte trees, and observation of epiphytes was done with help of binoculars and a video camera system. Also, species composition of overstory and understory plants was investigated. 43 species of vascular epiphytes, three species of vine with climbing root, four species of overstory trees, and 99 species of understory plants including herbaceous species and ferns, existed. Epiphytes comprise about 10% of all vascular plant species. Number of epiphyte species became more on the phorophyte tree with larger trunk diameter. The epiphytes were few in the range of 2-4m in height because of the subsidence pressure of the snowfall. Among the epiphytes, four species (Polypodium fauriei, Lepisorus thunbergianus, Lepisorus annuifrons and Ribes ambiguum) were most abundant. The specificity of the relationship between epiphytes and their location on trunk of phorophyte was observed. Vertically, P. fauriei and R. ambiguum tended to distribute in low parts on trunks compared to L. thunbergianus and L. annuifrons. The distribution of R. ambiguum specialized to trunk part where large boughs attached. The architecture of tree and the environment play an important role on the richness of vascular species in matured beech forest.The species richness of epiphytes in a matured beech forest was studied. In a 1-ha plot established at Shirakawa village, Gifu prefecture, central Japan, the vascular epiphytes were investigated for phorophyte trees larger than 50 cm in trunk diameter at breast height. Species, height above ground level, and their location on trunk, were recorded. For this investigation, we used a 10-m long ladder for ascending phorophyte trees, and observation of epiphytes was done with help of binoculars and a video camera system. Also, species composition of overstory and understory plants was investigated. 43 species of vascular epiphytes, three species of vine with climbing root, four species of overstory trees, and 99 species of understory plants including herbaceous species and ferns, existed. Epiphytes comprise about 10% of all vascular plant species. Number of epiphyte species became more on the phorophyte tree with larger trunk diameter. The epiphytes were few in the range of 2-4m in height because of the subsidence pressure of the snowfall. Among the epiphytes, four species (Polypodium fauriei, Lepisorus thunbergianus, Lepisorus annuifrons and Ribes ambiguum) were most abundant. The specificity of the relationship between epiphytes and their location on trunk of phorophyte was observed. Vertically, P. fauriei and R. ambiguum tended to distribute in low parts on trunks compared to L. thunbergianus and L. annuifrons. The distribution of R. ambiguum specialized to trunk part where large boughs attached. The architecture of tree and the environment play an important role on the richness of vascular species in matured beech forest.