Exhaustive Analysis of Epiphytic Plant Species at La Mesa Eco Park

Distribution of Epiphytic Plant Species at La Mesa Eco Park

• Overview of Presence-Absence Matrix (Table 1):

  • A study was conducted across $50$ sampled host trees (designated $HT-01$ to $HT-50$) to identify the presence (denoted by $1$) or absence (denoted by $0$) of seven specific epiphytic species.

  • Identification of Epiphytic Species (EP-01 to EP-07):

    • EP-01: Asplenium nidus

    • EP-02: Aglaomorpha sparsisora

    • EP-03: Syngonium podophyllum

    • EP-04: Pothos dolichophyllus Merr.

    • EP-05: Drynaria quercifolia

    • EP-06: Philodendron hederaceum

    • EP-07: Epipremnum pinnatum

• Summary of Species Occurrence Across Host Trees:

  • EP-01 (Asplenium nidus): Found on $1$ host tree ($HT-19$). Total Frequency: $2\%$.

  • EP-02 (Aglaomorpha sparsisora): Found on $3$ host trees ($HT-21$, $HT-32$, $HT-42$). Total Frequency: $6\%$.

  • EP-03 (Syngonium podophyllum): Found on $21$ host trees ($HT-01$, $HT-02$, $HT-04$, $HT-07$, $HT-09$, $HT-14$, $HT-16$, $HT-19$, $HT-20$, $HT-21$, $HT-24$, $HT-26$, $HT-29$, $HT-31$, $HT-32$, $HT-37$, $HT-38$, $HT-40$, $HT-44$, $HT-48$, $HT-49$). Total Frequency: $42\%$.

  • EP-04 (Pothos dolichophyllus Merr.): Found on $4$ host trees ($HT-01$, $HT-16$, $HT-32$, $HT-43$). Total Frequency: $8\%$.

  • EP-05 (Drynaria quercifolia): Found on $7$ host trees ($HT-05$, $HT-07$, $HT-23$, $HT-26$, $HT-37$, $HT-41$, $HT-48$). Total Frequency: $14\%$.

  • EP-06 (Philodendron hederaceum): Found on $16$ host trees ($HT-02$, $HT-04$, $HT-05$, $HT-09$, $HT-10$, $HT-18$, $HT-19$, $HT-24$, $HT-27$, $HT-30$, $HT-32$, $HT-41$, $HT-43$, $HT-44$, $HT-47$, $HT-48$). Total Frequency: $32\%$.

  • EP-07 (Epipremnum pinnatum): Found on $43$ host trees (the most widespread species, including $HT-01$ to $HT-07$, $HT-09$ to $HT-11$, $HT-13$ to $HT-18$, $HT-21$ to $HT-34$, $HT-36$, $HT-37$, $HT-39$ to $HT-45$, $HT-47$ to $HT-50$). Total Frequency: $86\%$.

  • Host Trees with Zero Epiphytes: $HT-08$, $HT-12$, $HT-35$, and $HT-46$ showed no recorded epiphytic presence for these seven species.

Epiphytic Plant Groups and Population Data

• Classification and Individual Census (Table 2):

  • Nest-forming ferns:

    • Asplenium nidus: $1$ individual.

    • Aglaomorpha sparsisora: $4$ individuals.

    • Drynaria quercifolia: $9$ individuals.

  • Climbing aroids:

    • Syngonium podophyllum: $32$ individuals.

    • Pothos dolichophyllus Merr.: $4$ individuals.

    • Philodendron hederaceum: $23$ individuals.

    • Epipremnum pinnatum: $56$ individuals.

  • Totals: The total number of individuals across all species is $129$.

• Trends in Proliferation:

  • Climbing aroids heavily dominate the Eco Park.

  • Epipremnum pinnatum is the most abundant species with $56$ individuals.

  • Nest-forming ferns have a significantly lower population density, with Asplenium nidus having the minimum population of only one individual.

  • Ecological Implications: The environmental conditions of the park strongly favor the proliferation of climbing aroids over stationary nest-forming ferns.

Morphological Characteristics and Survival Strategies

• Morphological Trait Summary (Table 3):

  • Asplenium nidus:

    • Leaf Structure: Simple, rosette/nest-like shape.

    • Root Type: Clustered, sponge-like aerial roots.

    • Growth Form: True Epiphyte (Rosette Fern).

  • Aglaomorpha sparsisora:

    • Leaf Structure: Dimorphic (rigid base, divided main section).

    • Root Type: Scaly, creeping rhizomes.

    • Growth Form: True Epiphyte (Nest Fern).

  • Syngonium podophyllum:

    • Leaf Structure: Arrow-shaped to multi-sectioned.

    • Root Type: Climbing stem aerial roots.

    • Growth Form: Secondary Hemiepiphyte.

  • Pothos dolichophyllus Merr.:

    • Leaf Structure: Elongated, pointed leaves with winged stems.

    • Root Type: Clasping aerial roots.

    • Growth Form: Secondary Hemiepiphyte.

  • Drynaria quercifolia:

    • Leaf Structure: Dimorphic (oak-like base foliage, divided main sections).

    • Root Type: Hairy, fleshy creeping rhizomes.

    • Growth Form: True Epiphyte (Basket Fern).

  • Philodendron hederaceum:

    • Leaf Structure: Simple, glossy, heart-shaped leaves.

    • Root Type: Flexible climbing aerial roots.

    • Growth Form: Secondary Hemiepiphyte.

  • Epipremnum pinnatum:

    • Leaf Structure: Varies from whole to deeply divided and perforated.

    • Root Type: Strong, multi-functional aerial roots.

    • Growth Form: Secondary Hemiepiphyte.

• Survival Strategy Analysis:

  • Strategy 1: Debris and Water Collection (True Epiphytes): Species like Asplenium nidus, Aglaomorpha sparsisora, and Drynaria quercifolia use specialized nest-like or basket-shaped leaves. These structures collect falling organic debris and store water, addressing the lack of a ground connection.

  • Strategy 2: Vertical Mobility (Secondary Hemiepiphytes): Climbing vines such as Syngonium podophyllum, Pothos dolichophyllus Merr., Philodendron hederaceum, and Epipremnum pinnatum utilize strong aerial roots to climb host trees. This allows them to migrate from the dark forest floor to reach sunlight in the tree canopy.

Ecological Metrics and Species Diversity

• Relative Frequency (RF) and Relative Abundance (RA) (Table 4):

  • Metrics based on a total population ($N = 129$) and a sample size of $50$ host trees.

  • Asplenium nidus: RF = $2\%$, RA = $0.77\%$ (or $0.78\%$ elsewhere in text).

  • Aglaomorpha sparsisora: RF = $8\%$, RA = $3.10\%$.

  • Syngonium podophyllum: RF = $64\%$, RA = $24.81\%$.

  • Pothos dolichophyllus Merr.: RF = $8\%$, RA = $3.10\%$.

  • Drynaria quercifolia: RF = $18\%$, RA = $6.98\%$.

  • Philodendron hederaceum: RF = $46\%$, RA = $17.83\%$.

  • Epipremnum pinnatum: RF = $86\%$, RA = $43.41\%$ (cited as $43.40\%$ in text).

• Dominant vs. Rare Species:

  • Most common: Epipremnum pinnatum occurs on $86\%$ of trees and makes up nearly half of the total population ($43.41\%$ RA).

  • Least common: Asplenium nidus occurs on only $2\%$ of trees with an RA of only $0.77\%$.

• Diversity Metrics Summary (Table 5):

  • Shannon Diversity Index: $1.45$

  • Evenness: $0.75$

  • Richness (Species Count): $7$

  • Total Number of Individuals: $129$

  • Average Population Size: $18.4$

Habitat Assessment and Environmental Observations

• Bark Texture Preference:

  • Epiphytic plants show a strong preference for rough, cracked, and fissured bark textures.

  • These irregularities provide physical support and serve as traps for moisture and organic matter essential for survival.

  • Epiphytes were significantly less common on smooth bark surfaces.

• Light Availability:

  • The canopy at La Mesa Eco Park is described as "partially closed," which results in partial shade.

  • This environment creates filtered sunlight reaching the forest floor.

  • Although areas of full sunlight and full shade exist, they are less frequent than partial shade.

• Humidity and Water Stress:

  • Ambient humidity in the area is classified as "dry," reflecting low moisture in the air.

  • This condition favors the selection of epiphytic species that can tolerate dry conditions and occasional water stress.