Epiphytes of Sitka spruce (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Picea sitchensis</Emphasis>) plantations in Ireland and the effects of open spaces |
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Authors: | Linda Coote George F Smith Daniel L Kelly Saoirse O’Donoghue Paul Dowding Susan Iremonger Fraser J G Mitchell |
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Institution: | (1) Department of Botany, School of Natural Sciences, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, 2, Ireland |
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Abstract: | The epiphytes of the trunks and branches of mature Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis) trees were studied in twelve plantations containing open spaces (glades, rides and roads) in the east and southwest of Ireland.
A pair of trees was studied at each site: one tree at the south-facing edge of an open space and one in the forest interior.
Spruce trees were found to support a moderately diverse range of bryophytes and lichens, including two relatively rare bryophyte
species. Clear patterns in vertical distribution were identified, with bryophyte richness and cover decreasing and lichen
richness and cover increasing from the tree base to the upper trunk. The open spaces themselves did not appear to affect overall
epiphyte diversity, with no significant differences in any of the diversity measures between edge and interior trees. The
main effect of open spaces was on the epiphyte cover of the edge trees. This was related to increased light levels combined
with the presence of live branches from close to ground level on the south sides of the edge trees, which produced optimum
conditions for bryophytes at the tree base and lichens in the upper plots. However, this dense side-canopy negatively affected
epiphyte diversity on the north sides of the edge trees. Further research is required to assess the effects of open spaces
within forestry plantations on epiphyte diversity. |
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Keywords: | Bryophyte Epiphyte Forest biodiversity Glade Lichen Sitka spruce |
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