This PhD thesis, titled “Canopy microclimates and epiphytes in a changing world,” by Mariana Murakami, provides recommendations and baseline information on sampling microclimate conditions within tree canopies. It assesses the impact of climate change on vascular epiphytes in the Atlantic Forest of South America and investigates the role of the canopy in buffering the effects of climate change on epiphytes using species distribution models. The study reveals that while the spatial and temporal variations in microclimatic conditions within the forest canopy have been widely established, little is known about these conditions due to methodological and financial challenges. The ideal solution to fill this gap would be making systematic collection of representative canopy data using high-resolution climate sensors within representative tree communities and across biomes. This would provide comprehensive and higher definition data to pair with atmospheric climate information to better understand the responses of regional canopy microclimates on epiphytes and other canopy dwellers at a global scale. Understanding the impact of global changes on the microclimate of the canopy is crucial for ecological and conservation studies on canopy-dwelling organisms such as epiphytes. In the absence of high-resolution microclimate data from below the canopy, alternative methods to predict the impact of climate change on the distribution of epiphytes were explored. Niche modelling was used to determine the average responses of epiphytes (n = 1521) to climate change. According to this approach, nearly 20% of epiphyte species might be climatically displaced by 2100, with differences amongst taxonomic groups. The study identifies the limitations and challenges associated with modelling the responses of individual species to climate change, suggesting the need for a more generalized approach. The findings have important implications for the conservation and management of the Atlantic Forest and other forested ecosystems around the world. It highlights the importance of collecting high-resolution microclimate data within tree canopies to better understand the impact of climate change on canopy-dwelling organisms such as epiphytes. By implementing species distribution models and niche modelling, the study provides insight into how climate change will impact epiphyte species and the importance of further research to identify key species at risk. These findings have important implications for the conservation and management of the Atlantic Forest and other forested ecosystems around the world.
Date of Award | 14 Jun 2023 |
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Original language | English |
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Awarding Institution | |
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Supervisor | SVEN BATKE (Director of Studies) & Flavio Ramos (Supervisor) |
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- canopy microclimate
- epiphytes
- climate change
- species distribution models
- conservation
- ecology
- Bromeliaceae
- Orchidaceae
- ferns and lycophytes
Canopy microclimates and epiphytes in a changing world
MURAKAMI, M. (Author). 14 Jun 2023
Student thesis: Doctoral Thesis