Estratificação vertical de bromélias epifíticas em diferentes estádios sucessionais da Floresta Ombrófila Densa, Ilha de Santa Catarina, Santa Catarina, Brasil

Abstract

The present study aims to characterize the distribution of bromeliads height preference at four sucessional stages ("capoeirinha", "capoeira", "capoeirão" and secondary forest) on Atlantic Rainforest slopes, in Santa Catarina Island, relating them to forest development, individual and phorophytes characteristics. Importance values were calculated for each bromeliad, and their dispersal agent types and nutrient capture strategy were determined. Each of the 60 phorophytes selected through the point-centered quart method in each of the secondary succession stages was considered a sampling unit and divided in two-meter height intervals, starting from the soil. The species of Tillandsia with CAM activity presented the highest importance values in the two most developed succession stages, where bromeliads were recorded. In all stages of succession was detected, in the vertical stratification, a tendency of greater richness and frequency of bromeliads in heights next to morphological inversion point average, related to availability of larger surface area to colonization and growth. At capoeirão and secondary forest, juvenile bromeliads grew in all phorophytes height intervals, showing different mortality rates when adults and juveniles distribution were considered. The microclimatic changes in the progressive sucessional stages cause displacement and change of bromeliads species, with increase of individuals and tank-forming species.