Epiphytic CAM Bromeliads indicate vulnerability of tropical forest communities to climate change.

BACKGROUND AND SCOPE: Vascular epiphytes have a variety of mechanisms to trap and retain water, including Crassulacean Acid Metabolism (CAM). Niche segregation was investigated for epiphytic bromeliads on the tropical caribbean island of Trinidad, where habitats range from lowland deciduous forests to high rainfall montane tropical forests, around 1000m in altitude.

METHODS: Four tank-impounding bromeliad epiphytes in the genus Aechmea (Ae. aquilega, Ae. fendleri, Ae. nudicaulis, Ae. dichlamydea) with CAM were mapped across their distinct geographical and altitudinal zonations in northern Trinidad and Tobago. Species distribution modelling was used to determine environmental limitations for each species. Anatomical and physiological measurements included leaf succulence traits, gas exchange and CAM activity; hydraulic conductance and vulnerability; stomatal sensitivity and quantum yield responses to nocturnal temperature and long-term water deficits.

KEY RESULTS: A total of 2876 field observations identified the transitions between the lowland Ae. aquilega and montane Ae. fendleri, occurring above 500 m at the drier western end of the Northern Mountain Range, and at progressively lower elevations towards the wetter, eastern region. Anatomical and physiological sensitivities of gas exchange, CAM activity and water use, and responses to elevated nocturnal temperatures and drought, were markedly different for Ae. fendleri, as compared or Ae. aquilega or the ubiquitous Ae. nudicaulis.

CONCLUSIONS: The species distribution model highlighted the susceptibility of Aechmea fendleri to a changing climate. For each species, physiological and anatomical traits were tailored to environmental tolerances, consistent with specialist or generalist niche preferences. Using IPCC scenarios, we predict that rapid rainfall and temperature changes will lead to the loss of Ae. fendleri and associated lower (and upper) montane forest communities from Trinidad, seriously impacting both biodiversity and critical ecosystem functions here, and in other tropical island habitats. Epiphytic bromeliads act as markers for threatened communities, and their physiological tolerances represent key indicators of climate change impacts.