Rocha et al. 2004 (Article) Bromeliaceae

Conservando uma larga porção da diversidade biológica através da conservação de Bromeliaceae

Author(s):—C.F.D. Rocha, L.C. Carvalho, A.F.N. Freitas, T.C.R. Pessôa, A.S. Dias, C.V. Ariani & L.N. Morgado

Publication:—Vidalia 2(1): 52-72. (2004)

Abstract:—In different communities, the richness and diversity of species may be strongly related to the structural complexity of the environment. In some cases, this structural complexity is provided by the organisms themselves, as their presence creates conditions for the existence of other life forms, increasing the number of species. The family Bromeliaceae constitutes a plant group whose presence results in an increase in richness and diversity of species, due to an array of characteristics typical of its members. Bromeliads have a complex architecture with leaves displayed in a rosette, allowing the storage of free water, which constitutes different microhabitats available for several animal and plant species, for shelter, feeding, reproduction and provision of nutrients and moisture for their maintenance. Another characteristic is the fact that this family presents a great variety of forms and floral resources, which would attract a vast array of pollinators, both vertebrate and invertebrate, besides providing resources for flower mites. Thus, the negative effects of habitat degradation results in an accentuated reduction of richness, abundance and diversity of bromeliads in several regions. This leads to a loss of several microscopic and macroscopic life forms whose life cycles depend intrinsically on the presence of bromeliads and the consequent reduction of the biological diversity of the ecossystem. Therefore, preserving bromeliads means preserving a wide array of biological diversity of natural ecossystems.

Keywords:—Bromeliaceae, biodiversity, bromeliad fauna, plant architecture, structural complexity, ecological interactions