Phytosociology and spatial distribution of epiphytic bromeliads in Amazon estuarine floodplain forest

Abstract

The present study evaluated the special distribution of epiphyte bromeliads and the community pytosociological parameters, in order to contribute for a better ecological knowledge of these species. A 100 m x100 m parcel was demarcated in floodplain forest located at the Combu Island’ Environmental Protection Area, Belém, Pará state, Brazil, subdivides in four 50 mx50 m parcels, where were registered all the epiphyte bromeliads species, phorophytes and the occurrence strata (phaft, internal canopy, external canopy). The relative frequency for each species in the three phorophyte strata, the epiphytic importance value (VIe) and the ratio of the numbers of bromeliads by the number of phorophytes (NB/NF). Seven bromeliad species were found, the majority of individual sampled at the internal canopy, followed by the phaft and external canopy. Gusmania lingulata(L.) Mez stood out by the greater number of individuals at the three strata, and together withVriesea amazonica (Baker) Mez, obtained the major epiphytic importance values. The NB/NF ratio higher for the phorophyte Crudia bracteata Benth.