Insights on the distribution of the endemic Hawaiian fern genus Adenophorus Gaudich. (Polypodiaceae) on the island of Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi.
Insights on the distribution of the endemic Hawaiian fern genus Adenophorus Gaudich. (Polypodiaceae) on the island of Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi.
Date
2021
Authors
Thomas, Miles Kealoha
Contributor
Advisor
Ticktin, Tamara
Department
Botany
Instructor
Depositor
Speaker
Researcher
Consultant
Interviewer
Annotator
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Volume
Number/Issue
Starting Page
Ending Page
Alternative Title
Abstract
Epiphytes, plants that grow on other plants, are conspicuous members of manyecosystems around the globe but are most pronounced in humid forests. In tropical regions such
as Hawaiʻi, upland wet forests sustain diverse communities of epiphytic vegetation, mainly
consisting of bryophytes and ferns. Of the epiphytic ferns, the endemic genus Adenophorus
Gaudich. (Polypodiaceae) is the most species-rich and represents a considerable amount of the
biomass of Hawaiian epiphytic communities. However, little is known about the ecology and
conservation status of this genus. This study assessed the distribution, abundance, and
conservation status of Adenophorus species on the island of Oʻahu and identified some of the
factors affecting it. I carried out surveys on transects along eight ridges of the Koʻolau mountains
as well as in the Kaʻala Natural Area Reserve and sampled epiphytes on a total of 242 trees.
Adenophorus abundance overall increased at higher elevations, although elevational patterns
differed between species. Adenophorus oahuensis and A. haalilioanus distributions appear to be
limited by elevation, the former at low elevations and the latter at higher elevations.
Adenophorus abundance increased with bryophytes cover, and bryophytes appear to be important
in the establishment of the gametophyte stage of these ferns. Adenophorus haalilioanus may
exhibit host bias, but further studies are needed to confirm this. Several species of Adenophorus
may be experiencing population declines (i.e., A. oahuensis, A. tripinnatifidus, and A.
haalilioanus), a result of habitat degradation as well as shifts in precipitation likely due to
climate change. Adenophorus abietinus shows great phenotypic variability and may warrant
further investigation of two distinct varieties, one of which is mostly found at higher elevations
near the Koʻolau summit ridge and may also be susceptible to perturbation by climatic changes in the near future if current trends of current climate change persist. These insights provide a
strong foundation for the future conservation of these endemic ferns.
Description
Keywords
Ecology,
Adenophorus,
Conservation,
Ecology,
Epiphytes,
Ferns,
Hawaiʻi
Citation
Extent
66 pages
Format
Geographic Location
Time Period
Related To
Table of Contents
Rights
All UHM dissertations and theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission from the copyright owner.
Rights Holder
Local Contexts
Collections
Email libraryada-l@lists.hawaii.edu if you need this content in ADA-compliant format.