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<p>Urban trees serve as a habitat for vascular epiphytes, yet little is known about how these plant assemblages are structured in highly urbanized tropical cities. We conducted a systematic inventory of vascular epiphytes and nomadic vines in the urban area of Medellín, Colombia. Epiphytes were surveyed on 600 trees across 60 sites distributed among three urban land-cover categories. In total, we recorded 9948 individuals representing 48 species and 12 families. Bromeliaceae and Polypodiaceae dominated the assemblages, with <i>Tillandsia recurvata</i> accounting for over 70% of individuals. Specifically, we tested three hypotheses: (1) host tree functional traits (i.e., bark texture, size, and canopy complexity) significantly influence the abundance and richness of vascular epiphytes in urban environments; (2) epiphyte species richness and spatial composition are influenced by urban land-cover types and geographic distance, with protected and water-associated areas supporting higher diversity; and (3) urbanization leads to ecological homogenization of epiphyte communities, resulting in low species turnover across spatially distributed sites. Our results support these hypotheses. Vertical stratification and host tree characteristics influenced epiphyte abundance and richness. The results suggest that tree size consistently drives epiphyte diversity and abundance, while bark type (through differences in water retention capacity) may modulate colonization primarily in terms of abundance. Trees with fissured bark hosted more epiphytes. Species richness varied across land-cover types, being highest in protected areas near water (WAT) and lowest in urban green infrastructure (INF), while epiphyte abundance did not differ significantly. Spatial turnover in species composition was low, reflecting ecological homogenization across the city. Our findings highlight the persistence of a subset of epiphyte species in urban conditions and suggest that urban trees function as biodiversity scaffolds. By identifying key ecological patterns, this research contributes to urban biodiversity conservation and provides baseline data for integrating epiphyte conservation into tropical cities’ urban planning and green infrastructure strategies.</p>

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Urban trees as biodiversity scaffolds: patterns and drivers of epiphyte diversity in a tropical city

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年11月18日

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  • Yudy A. Gallego,
  • Maria Judith Carmona-Higuita,
  • Ana María Benavides

摘要

Urban trees serve as a habitat for vascular epiphytes, yet little is known about how these plant assemblages are structured in highly urbanized tropical cities. We conducted a systematic inventory of vascular epiphytes and nomadic vines in the urban area of Medellín, Colombia. Epiphytes were surveyed on 600 trees across 60 sites distributed among three urban land-cover categories. In total, we recorded 9948 individuals representing 48 species and 12 families. Bromeliaceae and Polypodiaceae dominated the assemblages, with Tillandsia recurvata accounting for over 70% of individuals. Specifically, we tested three hypotheses: (1) host tree functional traits (i.e., bark texture, size, and canopy complexity) significantly influence the abundance and richness of vascular epiphytes in urban environments; (2) epiphyte species richness and spatial composition are influenced by urban land-cover types and geographic distance, with protected and water-associated areas supporting higher diversity; and (3) urbanization leads to ecological homogenization of epiphyte communities, resulting in low species turnover across spatially distributed sites. Our results support these hypotheses. Vertical stratification and host tree characteristics influenced epiphyte abundance and richness. The results suggest that tree size consistently drives epiphyte diversity and abundance, while bark type (through differences in water retention capacity) may modulate colonization primarily in terms of abundance. Trees with fissured bark hosted more epiphytes. Species richness varied across land-cover types, being highest in protected areas near water (WAT) and lowest in urban green infrastructure (INF), while epiphyte abundance did not differ significantly. Spatial turnover in species composition was low, reflecting ecological homogenization across the city. Our findings highlight the persistence of a subset of epiphyte species in urban conditions and suggest that urban trees function as biodiversity scaffolds. By identifying key ecological patterns, this research contributes to urban biodiversity conservation and provides baseline data for integrating epiphyte conservation into tropical cities’ urban planning and green infrastructure strategies.