Agreement here that higher "atmospheric" moisture levels increases epiphyte biomass with the qualification that microclimate/habitat plays an important role in addition to proximity to water. In eastern New England this is very observable. Here's a canopy view of a mature American Beech in forest habitat on Aquidneck Island in Rhode Island (beech of this tree's size on Aquidneck have been aged to 300 years old via core samples): http://tinyurl.com/ygvxusq
Compare that to the low lichen density on canopy limbs in a similar age/trunk diameter American Beech also on Aquidneck Island. The tree is close to the ocean but in an exposed habitat without the benefit of surrounding woods roughly a half mile from the previous beech: http://tinyurl.com/yknvy6z -AJ Edward Frank wrote: > Jennie, > > Welcome to ENTS. You have expressed is a pretty brood range of > interests in New England forests. Certainly there are people here on > the list that can address many of your questions. There is a search > engine on the home page of the ENTS website > http://www.nativetreesociety.org that lets you search for subjects on > the website. > > I want to address one limited portion of your interests. There are a > few epiphyte related posts on the ENTS website. > http://www.google.com/cse?cx=006676912687047811455%3Axki1xeiyulm&ie=UTF-8&q=epiphytes > > <http://www.google.com/cse?cx=006676912687047811455%3Axki1xeiyulm&ie=UTF-8&q=epiphytes> > > In general there appears to be a positive link between the amount of > moisture present , and the number and variety of epiphytes present in > the trees. At Pictured Rocks National Seashore in MI for example, > there was a band of trees along the lake that were covered with > epiphytes, while farther from shore they were less developed. This is > likely a result of fog coming in from lake Superior. There are likely > similar situations in New England near larger lakes and the ocean. I > don't know if anyone has systematically looked at the question there. > > Ed Frank > > Check out my new Blog: http://nature-web-network.blogspot.com/ (and > click on some of the ads) > > > --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ Eastern Native Tree Society http://www.nativetreesociety.org Send email to [email protected] Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/entstrees?hl=en To unsubscribe send email to [email protected] -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
