Epiphytic Plants: Perspective on Their Diversity, Distribution, Systematics and Conservation in the Changing Environment

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue dedicated to Epiphytic Plants invites outstanding contributions that delve into the intricate realm of these unique vascular flora, exploring aspects such as their diversity, distribution, ecology, systematics and conservation within the dynamic backdrop of our rapidly changing world. Epiphytic plants, captivating in their ability to flourish on other plants without parasitizing them, have fascinated botanists and ecologists, offering a trove of diversity, adaptations and ecological significance; however, many species are threatened by land-use change.

The collection of articles within this Special Issue aspires to present a well-balanced perspective on different aspects of epiphytic plants, welcoming a wide range of submissions from diverse geographical locations and taxonomic groups. In general, we would be interested in studies investigating the following: the patterns of diversity and restricted distribution (endemism) of vascular epiphytes; ecological interactions between species and their animal visitors; and ecophysiological strategies, functional traits and ecosystem functions. Of particular interest are articles that meticulously address the systematics of epiphytic plants, unravelling their evolutionary intricacies and taxonomic classifications in relation to their global distributions. Additionally, we encourage submissions shedding light on the conservation challenges faced by epiphytes, emanating from local, regional and global perturbations, and encompassing issues like climate change, deforestation and illicit harvesting.

Anticipating that this Special Issue will emerge as an invaluable resource, we extend an invitation to researchers, educators and conservation practitioners to contribute to this issue. Beyond contributing to the advancement of our understanding of these intricate organisms, we envisage that the issue will serve as a clarion call for collective efforts to safeguard these captivating plants amidst the ever-evolving environmental landscape.

Dr. Thorsten Krömer
Dr. Sven Peter Batke
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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• vascular epiphytes
• conservation
• diversity
• distribution patterns
• ecological interactions
• ecophysiology
• endemism
• epiphytic communities
• functional traits
• systematics

Title: The challenge of introducing an endangered epiphytic orchid (Pleione formosana) to natural habitats under global climate change
Authors: Rebecca C.-C. Hsu1*, Yi-Chiann Chen2, Chienyu Lin1, Jung Chen2, Da-Ling Huang1
Affiliation: 1 Forest Ecology Division, Taiwan Forestry Research Institute, Taipei, Taiwan 2 Silviculture Division, Taiwan Forestry Research Institute, Taipei, Taiwan
Abstract: Pleione formosana Hayata, an endemic orchid was once widely distributed across the mid-altitudes of Taiwan. However, populations of this orchid have steadily shrunk due to orchid poaching in most of its habitats. Chilan hosts the most abundant populations of this orchid in northern Taiwan. Since the autumn of 2018, we have regularly returned to Chilan to climb old growth yellow cypresses (Chamaecyparis obtusa var. formosana) to collect seed pods of P. formosana for in vitro germination. In the first three seasons, we germinated seeds at an orchid nursery near Chilan. However, seedlings turned brown the following summer and failed to germinate. Beginning in 2021, we germinated seeds and cultivated them in a growth chamber providing a controlled temperature of 21 ℃ at the Taiwan Forestry Research Institute. Seeds germinated here developed well, and in 2022 we successfully produced many seedlings. By correlating with data from the micrometeorological stations which we have been installing in the forest canopy of the area since 2017, we discovered the critical role of spring rainfall in triggering flowering of the orchid. We also learned that summer rainfall helps the bulbs to grow, which is essential for the following years’ flowering. Our findings indicate that rising temperatures and frequent drought events challenge orchid growth, potentially leading to pathogen infections. The growing crisis of global climate change presents a mounting challenge to modern conservationists.