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Tree forks drive epiphyte diversity in Spanish holm oak dehesas: unveiling critical tree morphological factors.

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Bibliographic Details
Title: Tree forks drive epiphyte diversity in Spanish holm oak dehesas: unveiling critical tree morphological factors.
Authors: Aragón, Gregorio1,2 (AUTHOR) gregorio.aragon@urjc.es, Giménez, Gil Fernando3 (AUTHOR) gilferetuerta@gmail.com, Negrón, Valerie1 (AUTHOR) v.negron.2021@alumnos.urjc.es
Source: European Journal of Forest Research. Dec2025, Vol. 144 Issue 6, p1719-1731. 13p.
Subject Terms: *Epiphytes, *Lichens, *Environmental protection, *Biodiversity, *Plant canopies, *Bryophytes, *Woodlots, *Holm oak
Abstract: Unlike other Mediterranean forest habitats, Spanish holm oak (Quercus ilex subsp. ballota) open woodlands, known as dehesas, exhibit lower diversity of epiphytes (lichens and bryophytes). However, previous studies have primarily focused on the lower parts of tree trunks, where the effects of tree characteristics are often overshadowed by climatic factors and land use. This study aims to compare the taxonomic and functional diversity of epiphytes and the community composition in the forks and trunks of holm oaks, and to identify the tree's morphological characteristics that influence epiphyte diversity in the forks. The study established 12 plots in each of Cabañeros and Monfragüe National Parks, selecting six trees per plot to assess the coverage of lichens and bryophytes in three locations: fork, north trunk, and south trunk. Results indicated that trunk sampling significantly underestimates the diversity of epiphytic lichens and bryophytes in dehesas, as forks host more than twice as many species compared to trunks. In Cabañeros, fork height and trunk diameter are key determinants, while in Monfragüe, tree size and canopy density are the most influential factors on taxonomic diversity. Groups most sensitive to eutrophication, such as cyanolichens and squamulose species, are found in higher forks. This study underscores the importance of tree morphological characteristics in conserving epiphytic biodiversity in dehesas, proposing the use of forks to estimate lichen and bryophyte diversity in these managed systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Database: Energy & Power Source
Description
Abstract:Unlike other Mediterranean forest habitats, Spanish holm oak (Quercus ilex subsp. ballota) open woodlands, known as dehesas, exhibit lower diversity of epiphytes (lichens and bryophytes). However, previous studies have primarily focused on the lower parts of tree trunks, where the effects of tree characteristics are often overshadowed by climatic factors and land use. This study aims to compare the taxonomic and functional diversity of epiphytes and the community composition in the forks and trunks of holm oaks, and to identify the tree's morphological characteristics that influence epiphyte diversity in the forks. The study established 12 plots in each of Cabañeros and Monfragüe National Parks, selecting six trees per plot to assess the coverage of lichens and bryophytes in three locations: fork, north trunk, and south trunk. Results indicated that trunk sampling significantly underestimates the diversity of epiphytic lichens and bryophytes in dehesas, as forks host more than twice as many species compared to trunks. In Cabañeros, fork height and trunk diameter are key determinants, while in Monfragüe, tree size and canopy density are the most influential factors on taxonomic diversity. Groups most sensitive to eutrophication, such as cyanolichens and squamulose species, are found in higher forks. This study underscores the importance of tree morphological characteristics in conserving epiphytic biodiversity in dehesas, proposing the use of forks to estimate lichen and bryophyte diversity in these managed systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
ISSN:16124669
DOI:10.1007/s10342-025-01836-8