| Description |
Conversion of forest to pasture has been the primary cause of deforestation in the Neotropics. The International Union for Conservation of Nature warns that land use change and habitat fragmentation are among the top concerns for biodiversity loss across the globe, and especially in tropical regions. Epiphytes, which are abundant in tropical forests, make up approximately one-third of vascular plant diversity in the Neotropics. Epiphytes play important roles in enhancing the ecosystem's water and nutrient retention from atmospheric sources, as well as providing energy and habitat for wildlife. Understanding the effects of fragmentation and isolation on plant populations and communities is especially important because of the continual increase in pressures for land development. However, ecotourism and nature-based tourism are increasing in the Neotropics and beginning to rival the economic impact of agriculture. The first two chapters of this dissertation explore the effects of host tree isolation on epiphyte biomass and community composition, and population genetic structure of two species of epiphytic bromeliads. I used community level analyses across elevation, between pasture and intact forest trees, and on a within-branch gradient to understand patterns of biomass and species composition across multiple spatial scales. I analyzed population genetic structure of the epiphytic bromeliads Catopsis nitida and Werauhia tonduziana using newly developed microsatellite markers in pasture and forest populations. Additionally, I assessed the potential for conservation and education at adventure parks in Monteverde, Costa Rica. I used a mixed methods case study of visitor surveys at a representative adventure park, Selvatura, semi-structured interviews of staff and owners at Selvatura, and managers of additional adventure parks in the Monteverde region. I found variability in epiphyte community organization among three spatial scales, including between land-cover types, which underscores the potential complexity of epiphyte responses to climate and land-cover changes. Additionally, epiphyte populations on isolated pasture trees tend to be more inbred than larger populations in adjacent forests, but these trees also appear to serve as "stepping stones" helping epiphytes maintain their genetic connectedness and diversity across a fragmented landscape. Lastly, visitors to adventure parks in the Monteverde region appear to be interested in conservation and visitor education during their visit. Adventure parks as supplemental opportunities for conservation and venues for education are important to consider for the future of tropical forest preservation. |
