Large-scale diversity patterns of vascular epiphytes in Neotropical montane rain forests

Aim Epiphytes contribute up to 30% to the number of vascular plant species in certain global biodiversity hotspots, e.g. the Ecuadorian Andes. However, their large scale diversity patterns are still discussed on the base of results from a few, local epiphyte inventories. Consequently, explanatory models on epiphyte diversity concentrate on the impact of local climate on small scale epiphyte species richness. Our aim was to analyse large scale elevational patterns of epiphyte diversity integrating data from different geographic scales. Location Tropical America, with special emphasis on the Ecuadorian Andes. Methods Our study is based on two data sources. First, we analysed the elevational patterns of epiphyte diversity based on the Catalogue of the Vascular Plants of Ecuador and the Libro Rojo de las Plantas Endèmicas del Ecuador. Secondly, the floristic turnover between the epiphyte inventories of seven montane and four lowland study sites in the Neotropics was analysed. Results The floristic turnover between Neotropical montane epiphyte floras is higher than the one between lowland epiphyte floras. Montane study sites located only a few kilometres apart from each other show considerable differences in their epiphyte species inventories. Irrespectively of their similar dispersal mode, the floristic turnover is much higher for orchids than for Pteridophyta. The Orchidaceae are the species richest group in all of the examined 11 Neotropical epiphyte floras. At the larger scale of the Ecuadorian Flora, c. 50% of the species in the elevational zone with maximum epiphyte diversity (between 1000 and 1500 m) are orchids. Elevational patterns of epiphyte diversity strongly reflect patterns of Orchidaceae. Main conclusions Our results support the observation of a ‘mid‐elevation bulge’ of epiphyte diversity by Gentry and Dodson. It has been frequently shown that the high humidity in mid‐elevations is suitable to maintan a high epiphyte species richness. Our findings show that in addition, large scale epiphyte diversity in montane rain forest is increased by the high floristic turnover at local and regional scale. Based on the importance of Orchidaceae for epiphyte diversity, we discuss that speciation processes corresponding to the highly diverse environment are a driving force for endemism, floristic heterogeneity and consequently for large scale epiphyte species richness in montane forests.