Bole epiphytic bryophytes on <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lithocarpus xylocarpus</Emphasis> (Kurz) Markgr. in the Ailao Mountains,SW China

Epiphytic bryophytes growing on Lithocarpus xylocarpus (Kurz) Markgr. trunks of different diameter classes in primary (132 plots) and secondary (84 plots) Lithocarpus forests in the Ailao Mountains, SW China, were surveyed and analyzed to determine species composition and richness, and to identify environmental variables that may affect it. Among the 65 species (belonging to 32 genera, 19 families) found, 28 occurred in both forests, with Syrrhopodon gardneri (Hook.) Schwaegr. predominanting. Species richness and total coverage in primary forest were significantly higher than in secondary forest. We suggest that a period of perhaps much more than 110 years is necessary for the recovery of epiphytic bryoflora in montane forest of SW China. Fan, turf, and smooth mat are the most important life forms, with high occurrences in both forests. The life form composition of epiphytic bryophytes is determined mainly by microhabitat and host age. Tree age, the presence of primary forest, bark pH, and plot exposure are the environmental variables that have significantly influenced the composition of epiphytic bryophytes. Tree age explained most variations in epiphytic bryoflora. Bark pH is another important parameter that significantly influenced the epiphytic bryophyte community, but seemed indirectly correlated with tree age. Primary forest is a favorable habitat for epiphytes, due mainly to its diversified canopy structure and the presence of large diameter hosts. Moisture-laden southwest trade winds and forest structure could differentiate microclimate and impel a distinct composition of epiphytes in windward and leeward exposures.