It was postulated that the disparity in epiphyte ecology between these regions is attributed to difference in; epiphyte succession on growing trees, host tree size, and the number of interacting species in the network.

Epiphyte succession occurs at a sluggish pace due to the extremely specific microclimate requirement of particular epiphyte species. Colonisation will only occur when the optimal combination of conditions co-occur. Even once this transpires, these picky plants still need the opportunity to establish, i.e. their seeds or spores need to be in the right place and the right time.

More generalist species are often first to colonise a young tree or a patch following disturbance, such as Astelia hastata. These tolerant species create conditions that are conducive for the colonisation of further, often more specialised species by intercepting and trapping moisture and debris which form a moisture rich humus. Such facilitation mechanisms are an important driver of nested epiphyte-host networks.

Host tree size is also related to epiphyte succession as larger trees are usually older and therefore more likely to have accumulated specialised epiphytes. New Zealand epiphyte-host networks were on average larger than that of Chile in this study which may have led to the observed differences in the degree of nestedness.

Taylor A, Saldaña A, Zotz G, Kirby C, Díaz I & Burns K (2016). Composition patterns and network structure of epiphyte-host interactions in Chilean and New Zealand temperate forests. New Zealand Journal of Botany. 54(2): 204-222.

Last month it was my absolute pleasure to work with the brilliant staff at Auckland Botanic Gardens to host the second NZ Epiphyte Workshop. Our theme of "working with canopy plants" brought together landscapers, researchers, council staff, educators and garden managers from all over New Zealand (as well as one delegate from Sri Lanka!). 

Please visit the 2016 Epiphyte Workshop page to read about the event, view the presentations and see the summary of group discussions. 

Thanks to the enthusiastic participants who shared their ideas and jumped on board with many ideas for collaboration. Thanks also to our two fabulous sponsors: Auckland Botanic Gardens & the Environmental Research Institute, University of Waikato. 

And in other news, I know many of you supported the NZ Tree Project (many thanks!). You can now see the final rimu portrait and documentary (including some sweet canopy footage) on the NZ Tree Project website.

To close, here are a few photos from the workshop, more can be found on the workshop page:

The New Zealand Epiphyte Network was established in 2013 after the first-ever NZ Epiphyte Workshop and we're now very pleased to announce that the second workshop will be held this year in Auckland.

Together, the Environmental Research Institute and the Auckland Botanic Gardens are hosting this exciting event from the 28th to 30th of April. 

The theme of the workshop is Working with Canopy Plants.
This is intended to address the growing interest in using epiphytes, vines & mistletoes in projects from restoration to landscaping, gardening and more... 

The preliminary programme includes presentations on the latest research and the different ways of working with native canopy plants. 

We welcome interest from potential speakers - can you tell us what you've been doing with epiphytes or demonstrate the products you use? It is an informal and welcoming forum to share ideas and build knowledge.

For more information and to register (get in quick, numbers are limited), please visit the event page.

​Any questions can be directed to:
nzepiphytenetwork@gmail.com

The weather has been perfect for a spot of epiphyting, here are some shots from a recent trip to the Hunua ranges. All rights reserved on images.

Yesterday I was asked to help prepare some evidence on the importance of trees. What a nice task for this end of the week. It is nice because there are SO many benefits of trees and also because it made me stop and be grateful for these incredible organisms! As a result, the post this week reflects some gratitude for those wonderful beings that hold the epiphytes up ;)

Trees are inherently important as some of the largest and most complex organisms on Earth. They are also important for the existence of many other organisms including many different mammals, invertebrates and plants. 

Then there are all the benefits for people... these are the ones that strengthen the protection/planting argument for any non-tree-lovers out there and they can be split as benefits for 1) the environment, 2) our wellbeing and 3) the economy. The following provides a few examples.

Wellbeing benefits from trees
Oxygen
In one year an acre of mature trees can provide enough oxygen for 18 people.

Ultra-violet protection
Trees reduce UV-B exposure by about 50 percent, thus reducing the risk of skin cancer.

Genuine healing
Exposure to trees and nature aids concentration by reducing mental fatigue. Most people report feelings of serenity, peace, restfulness and tranquillity from time in a grove of trees. Multiple studies have shown that hospital patients with views of trees out their windows heal faster and with less complications.

Inspiration
Whether as houses for children or creative and spiritual inspiration for adults, trees have provided the space for human retreat and inspiration throughout the ages.

Buffering
Trees buffer people form unpleasant sounds and sights. Sound waves are absorbed by tree leaves and branches while trees can be used in landscape design to improve scenery.

Economic benefits from trees
Huge savings
The ecosystem services provided by trees, either as individuals or in stands/bush fragments, avoid the huge expenditure required to replace those services through infrastructure & management. This is both at large scales (e.g. water treatment & soil protection) and smaller scales (e.g. home energy use & medical needs).

An American study found that one healthy public tree in its 20th year after planting provides $96 in benefits and only costs $36, for an annual net benefit of $60. One hundred healthy yard trees over 40 years provide $364,000 in benefits and only cost $92,000, for a 40-year net benefit of $272,000. One hundred healthy public trees over 40 years provide $380,000 in benefits and only cost $148,000, for a 40-year net benefit of $232,000.

Wood
Selective and sustainable harvesting provides an important resource for our economy.

Increased property values
The beauty of a well-planted property and its surrounding land or neighbourhood can raise property values by as much as 15 percent.

Trees increase business traffic
Studies show that the more trees and landscaping a business district has, the more business will flow in. A tree-lined street will also slow traffic – enough to allow the drivers to look at the store fronts instead of whizzing by.

So let's all find a moment this weekend to hug, save or plant a tree! They are pillars of hope and health so get out there and enjoy them with your friends and family.

Happy Friday.

References
-McLean DD, Jensen RR (2004). Community leaders and the urban forest: a model of knowledge and understanding. Society and Natural Resources.
-McPherson EG et al. (2005). Midwest community tree guide: benefits, costs, and strategic planting. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Area State and Private Forestry.
-Kuo FE (2003). Social aspects of urban forestry: the role of arboriculutre in a healthy social ecology. Journal of Aboriculture.
-Tree People Los Angeles Not-for-profit: www.treepeople.org/resources/tree-benefits
-Summers et al. (2012). A Review of the Elements of Human Well-Being with an Emphasis on the Contribution of Ecosystem Services. AMBIO
-Seamans G (2012). Mainstreaming the environmental benefits of street trees. Urban Forestry and Urban Greening.

A new study has been published on NZ nest epiphytes, how exciting! Sarah Killick, Dan Blanchon & Mark Large from Unitec, Auckland have written an article about life in the phytotelmata of kahakaha (Warning: name change!! kahakaha was Collospermum hastatum but is now called Astelia hastata). This work adds to Olivia's 2014 study of epiphyte fauna.

Phytotelmata are the pockets of water that are stored at the base of kahakaha leaves. The authors describe these as "miniature temporary aquatic ecosystems". The "miniature" means that they are almost always "temporary" because they can dry up quite quickly. 

In this study, the researchers investigated the fungal life within the phytotelmata of kahakaha (Astelia hastata) in comparison to introduced garden bromeliad species. They had intended to also study phytotelmata of kiekie (Freycinetia banksii) and kowharawhara (Astelia solandri) but found insufficient water volumes in these species. Water samples were taken from nest epiphytes and bromeliads in the forests of Waitakere, Great Barrier Island, Clevedon and Maitaia. Samples from bromeliads in urban Auckland were also examined for comparison to the forest-dwelling plants.

So what did they find in these little pools?

Well, there is life in the phytotelmata of forest plants but not much. They authors found cyanobacteria, pollen grains and spores from fungi and ferns in the water pockets of kahakaha (Astelia hastata) and forest bromeliads but none of the algae that they were looking for. In contrast, urban bromeliads had a wide range of organisms in their phytotelmata, including four genera of diatoms (major group of algae). 

The authors speculated that the lack of algae in nest epiphytes could be due to 3 factors:

1. the tight leaf arrangement of kahakaha (Astelia hastata) and the black leaf bases may be limiting the light that algae need to thrive
2. the pH of kahakaha phytotelmata (mean: 5) may be unsuitable for algal survival and growth (bromeliad mean pH: 5.7).
3. algae may not be able to disperse to forest habitats from sources such as lakes, stream and sediments

Like all good research, this has got me thinking and wondering: would epiphytes growing nearer the tree tops have more phytotelmic life than those in the lower limbs? how would phytotelmata life compare in kahakaha of urban settings? and where will we find a student to comprehensively study these little ecosystems!!??

Bringing biodiversity into the backyard seems to be a hot topic at the moment and here at the NZ Epiphyte Network we are 100% on board with providing backyard habitat for our many displaced flora and fauna species. 

In the last blog we discussed a few ways to plant epiphytes which this was followed by some interesting conversation on our facebook page.  Now we've heard about an collaborative project in Christchurch that is bringing lots of different people together to plant an urban green wall.

The Urban Living Wall project is a collaboration between social enterprises, local government departments, schools and individuals. Two of the key players are the Department of Conservation and Fab Lab Chch and the point of difference with this particular green wall is that it is community oriented and open source, meaning that it is completely open to anyone and everyone who wants to contribute.

Panels
The three types of panels come from both new and old technology. The 3D printed pockets are made from biodegradable corn starch filament, the wooden panels are recycled timber and the woollen pockets are made from recycled wool carpet.

Plants
The plants used in this project are native rocky species from Banks Peninsula that can handle the exposure of this urban street corner.

Involving others
The panel patterns and designs are free to source from the Urban Living Wall website which means that you can make your own wall or create some panels to donate to the this Christchurch project. If you have your own green wall the Urban Living Wall will even give you some attention on their blog. 

The community focus of this project means that it is going to benefit a wide range of people through education and backyard biodiversity! Well done DOC & Fab Lab Chch.

A few days ago, Wellington City Council released this lovely, sharp webpage to encourage people to enhance their backyard biodiversity. It is a great interface that allows people to take as little or as much information as they need. I have personally enjoyed re-visiting it a few times to get more details about each topic... very motivating!

Tim from WCC suggested on the NZ Epiphyte Network FB page that adding epiphytes into your backyard would take this local biodiversity to the 'next level'. 

Well why not? We've heard a little about garden epiphytes in this post but have not yet discussed the possible methods for adding to your own arboreal vista!

We have been thinking about the best way of planting epiphytes for a while. There are quite a few options and I know lots of people are trialling different ideas in their own backyards - please feel free to share them here!

In 2012 the University of Waikato set up a small trial of epiphyte reintroductions into Hamilton bush patches. Fiona, Rachel and myself planted tawhiri karo (Pittosporum cornifolium) and puka (Griselinia lucida) in a range of host trees using wire netting and sphagnum moss. The goal was to find out if they would survive and whether they would flower and fruit successfully and the methods were inspired by work of Bruce Burns & colleagues. Here are a few pictures of the process:

You might like to try something similar in your backyard. There isn't a lot of need to climb up high to place them but I would recommend looking for a spot that won't get too dry (minimal wind exposure) but also gets sunlight for at least part of the day. The Epiphyte Tree website has some more tips for planting epiphytes here. 

Let's have a discussion about our experiences and options with epiphyte planting: 

• Have you successfully established epiphytic species?
• How did you do it? What worked well?
• Where can we (legally and sensibly) source plants or seeds?
  

I look forward to your thoughts :)

Test your vascular epiphyte and vine identification skills with this quick quiz! The name of the species in each photo are provided at the end (so don't scroll to the bottom until you're done!).

We're back! Apologies for the blogging hiatus. The posts will be back to clockwork in no time and in the meantime we have a super close-up look at epiphytic moss and lichen.

Richard Payne, Olga Belyakova & Yuri Mazei from Penza State University in Russia have just published some work looking at testate amoebae in epiphytic mosses and lichen. Testate amoebae are "are a diverse and abundant group of protists characterised by a hard shell".  These small organisms are beginning to be used as bioindicators because they respond to many different human influences ranging from air pollution, to agriculture and chemical weapons disposal.

As interested grows in this new field of scientific investigation, Payne and colleagues have been exploring the moss and lichen communities of trees in Russia to see if testate amoebae can be found there. Specifically, they investigated the habitat provided by moss and lichen on the lower tree trunks.

So what did they find? The researchers discovered that epiphytic mosses and lichens are a very good habitat for testate amoebae. They found lots of generalist species and a considerable difference in species assemblages between lichen and moss habitat. They also found that there was greater species diversity in locations with greater moisture availability and also significant amoebae variability between different forests.  

To conclude, the authors state that "Epiphytic environments in forests are probably a comparatively widespread habitat for testate amoebae and are perhaps deserving of greater research attention than has thus-far been the case".

So, we can now add that to the list of research topics for the canopy world!