Substrate use of three epiphytic bromeliads

Abstract

In the moist tropical forest of Barro Colorado Island, Panama, the distribution of three epiphytic bromeliads growing on the host tree species Annona glabra was studied with respect to size of the epiphyte, substrate height, diameter, branch inclination and position relative to the periphery of the crown. There were significant interspecific differences for almost all environmental variables, but there were no size-related changes in distribution patterns. The results suggest that a safe germination site is also a potential growing site for mature plants, and that mortality does not correlate with any of the measured parameters.