A importância da palmeira Syagrus coronata (Mart.) beec. para a conservação da riqueza e diversidade de espécies epífitas vasculares na caatinga

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the differences between the epiphytic diversity and richness on the phorophytes of licuri, Syagrus coronata (Mart.) Beec., and other species of the Caatinga and check the higher frequency of epiphytes on the strata of S. coronata. The study was conducted at the National Park of Catimbau Valley (Parque Nacional do Vale do Catimbau), in Pernambuco. We randomly selected 50 adults of S. coronata (L) as well as the individual adult tree closest to each S. coronata (O), excluding individuals of licuri to count the number of epiphytic individuals per species and classify them according to their life form in primary hemiepiphytes, secondary hemiepiphytes, mandatory holoepiphytes, optional holoepiphytes and accidental holoepiphytes. We sampled 760 individuals distributed in 16 species, 15 of which taxa of S. coronata, mainly found in the stem region covered by the remains of old leaf sheaths, and five in another phorophyte group. The Shannon-Weaver (L - 1.936; O - 0.155) diversity was significantly higher on S. coronata when compared to the one observed on other phorophyte species. The floristic dissimilarity analysis of the epiphytic species according to the two types of phorophytes (L and O) showed the formation of more consistent clusters among individuals of S. coronata in relation to other species. Moreover, considering the sizes of DGH (diameter at ground height) and height, it is evident that the higher these parameters are, the greater the richness and abundance of epiphytic individuals. Thus, this study confirms the importance of this species as a host of epiphytic diversity and richness in the Caatinga, and for the conservation of S. coronata populations.