Vellozo et al. 2026 (Article) Inselbergs, Brazil, Atlantic Forest

Trait filtering amidst high diversity of water-use strategies in Bromeliaceae: a contrast between coastal and inland inselbergs in the Atlantic Forest

Author(s):—J.A. Vellozo, P.P.S. Ferreira, E.A. de Mattos, R.C. Forzza & A.T.C. Dias

Publication:—Biological Journal of the Linnean Society 148(1): blag024. (2026) — DOI

Abstract:—Inselbergs are ancient rock outcrops that have undergone minimal weathering and harbour vegetation distinct from the surrounding matrix owing to harsh edaphic and microclimatic conditions, such as intense solar radiation and rapid water loss. In Atlantic Forest lowland inselbergs, the Bromeliaceae are the richest family and exhibit several water-use-related traits along a coastal?inland climatic gradient, making bromeliads a suitable model for understanding community structure in contrasting conditions. We investigated the functional composition of bromeliad communities to assess whether water-use traits influence species distribution between coastal and inland regions, which differ in precipitation and seasonality. Focusing on monocotyledonous mats (a microhabitat where plants grow directly on bare rock or shallow soils), we analysed functional groups, leaf traits, and CSR (C, competitor; S: stress tolerant; R, ruderal) ecological strategies of bromeliad mats across both regions. All functional groups are mat forming. The C3 tank and C3 non-tank species occur in coastal and inland inselbergs, whereas Crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) tank and CAM non-tank species are restricted to inland inselbergs and CAM atmospheric species to coastal ones. Trait patterns suggest environmental filtering associated with water availability, with coastal species exhibiting more acquisitive strategies and inland species showing more conservative traits. The high endemism among bromeliads in inselbergs highlights the importance of understanding community structure for conservation.