Sj. Jarman et G. Kantvilas, EPIPHYTES ON AN OLD HUON PINE TREE (LAGAROSTROBOS-FRANKLINII) IN TASMANIAN RAIN-FOREST, New Zealand Journal of Botany, 33(1), 1995, pp. 65-78
The epiphytic flora of an old Huon pine (Lagarostrobos franklinii) in
western Tasmania comprises 76 lichens, 55 bryophytes, and 16 vascular
plant species. There is a vertical zonation of the cryptogams on the t
ree, with little overlap between basal and canopy floras. Bryophytes a
re the dominant life form at the base of the tree but there is a marke
d increase in the diversity of lichens, and in the ratio of lichens to
bryophytes, with increasing height. The longevity of the tree is mani
fest in the development of a wide range of microhabitats but it seems
unlikely that any of the cryptogams require such longevity per se to b
ecome established as rainforest epiphytes. However, several of the vas
cular species on the tree are normally terrestrial and their occurrenc
e as epiphytes is dependent on the development of sufficient peat to s
upport their root systems. Such a process is likely to be very slow, r
equiring a long-lived host species. The study illustrates the richness
of lichens and bryophytes in the forest ecosystem and the extent to w
hich even a single tree can contribute to the biodiversity of a forest
site.