Effect of tree composition on epiphytes abundance in coffee agroforestry systems of Kodagu

Effect of tree composition on epiphytes abundance in coffee agroforestry systems of Kodagu

Poornika,Kushalappa, C.G.,Mohana, G.S.,

Vaast, P, Garcia, C., Sinclair, F. L, Jadyegowda,.

and M.N. Ramesh

CAFNET PROJECT

2nd world congress on agro forestry, Nairobi

18 communities including several tribes

Coorg district (75.92o,12.27o), Karnataka State, India

Biodiversity rich landscape in the central Western Ghats, one of the 34 global hotpots of biodiversity

Geographical area ~ 4160 Sq.kms and altitude ranges 800-1800 mts

The forest cover 45% and 30% agro-forestry systems

Wet evergreen, moist and dry deciduous forests.

Map Courtesy: Garcia, C., 2003

Context

Tree cover lossAssociated biodiversity loss

Native tree conversion to exotic speciesHuman-elephant conflict

Land tenure systemsLegal hurdlesLabor crisis

CAFNET PROJECT

Local Knowledge

Biodiversity inventory

Soil and Hydrological

studies

Enhancing value chains

Best practice guidelines related to ecosystem services

Objective and Questions Objective: To assess the epiphyte abundance and distribution in

coffee agro forestry systems under different vegetation types

Questions:

1) Can increase in canopy cover lead to increase in epiphyte abundance.

2) Does vegetation type affects epiphytes distribution

3) Do epiphytes prefer certain host trees.

1. Stratification- Evergreen/ moist deciduous vegetation Totally 36 plantations in 12 villages were

sampled2. Sampling- Variable width transect method Trees in each plantation were enumerated and

observed for epiphytes

Methodology

Cauvery Watershed

View of CAFS under different canopy cover

Canopy cover & Epiphytes abundance

• Canopy cover had significant influence on epiphytic species abundance

• Up to certain threshold level of canopy epiphytic species abundance increases

Girth class and epiphytic species abundance

Evergreen Moist deciduous

Host preference & Epiphyte abundance

Evergreen Moist Deciduous

Epiphytic species abundance

Evergreen Moist deciduous

Conclusions

• CAF provides favorable microclimate for epiphytes.

• Maintaining optimum tree (canopy) cover in CAF supports for higher epiphytic abundance.

• Epiphytes do differ in their abundance and species preference w.r.t. vegetation types and girth class of trees