Ecological relationships between orchids and phorophytes in Upper-Montane Araucaria Forest with cloud influence, Southern Plateau, Santa Catarina

Abstract

The objective of this study was to learn about the richness and structure of epiphytic orchids and their phorophytes, to evaluate the interactions between these assemblages, and to sample host and non-host species of orchids in a remnant of Upper-Montane Araucaria Forest (FOMA). Sampling was carried out in the Serra da Farofa Complex, on a plot of 5,000 m2. Three species of orchids were sampled, colonizing 15 species of forophytes. The spatial distribution of phorophytes and orchids was aggregated. Forophytes colonized by orchids had significantly higher height and diameter at breast height (DBH) than other forophytes. Rough-type rhytidome was the most common in orchid-colonized phorophytes. Drimys angustifolia (Winteraceae) and Myrceugenia euosma (Myrtaceae) were the main forophytic species, crucial for the maintenance of orchid assemblage at this site. The information in this manuscript highlights the in-situ protection of Cattleya coccinea by its abundance at the site. This information will directly benefit the conservation and restoration of biological assemblies with characteristics like this site.