SURVEY OF EPIPHYTES PRESENT IN URBAN TREES ON THE SANTOS BEACH EDGE - SP Gabriel Henrique Marin, Thaina Alves de Brito, Ana Beatriz Pereira da Silva, Ana Beatriz Pereira da Silva, Ana Flavia Pereira da Silva, Paulo de Salles Penteado Sampaio

Abstract

Epiphytes are plants that germinate and attach themselves to other plants to capture light, without parasitizing them. Despite representing 10% of the world's vascular flora, with around 29,000 species, studies addressing epiphytes in natural and urban areas are still scarce. Epiphytes contribute by increasing green corridors in cycle paths, squares and sidewalks, increasing native biodiversity in urban areas. The objective of this study was to carry out a qualitative and quantitative survey of the epiphytes present in the afforestation of the beachfront in Santos/SP. The survey of epiphyte species, their phorophytes and data collection was carried out between the months of June and September on the edge of the city of Santos. Ten trees were selected in each channel (1 to 7), for a total of 70, 5 on each side and always close to the beach sand. In this study, 157 epiphytes belonging to 10 species, 6 genera and 3 families present in the 70 phorophytes were sampled; of which 68 individuals (97%) were Terminalia catappa (chapéu-de-sol), 1 Cycas circinalis and 1 Cocos nucifera (coconut tree). In epiphytes Bromeliaceae presented the greatest diversity with 5 species (Aechmea nudicaulis, Tillandsia gardneri, Tillandsia stricta, Vriesea philippocoburgii and Vriesea rodigasiana); Polypodiaceae 4 species (Microgramma crispata, Microgramma vacciniifolia, Pleopeltis hirsutissima and Pleopeltis pleopeltifolia) and Cactaceae one (Rhipsalis teres). Rhipsalis teres had the highest number of occurrences (88%); followed by Microgramma vacciniifolia (77%). The channel with the greatest diversity and abundance was channel 7, with 8 species (80% of the total) and 50 records (32% of the total). Regarding vertical distribution, we observed that the majority of records occurred between two and eight meters in height in phorophytes, with less common below two meters. The species Microgramma vacciniifolia and Rhipsalis teres presented the largest distribution range, ranging from lower to higher regions.

Regarding the location in the phorophyte, we observed that the branches of the trees, which are those that remain from the secondary branches to the apex, were the region of preference for the attachment of epiphytes, with 100% of the species (10) occurring in this region. There was no relationship between DBH and phorophyte height with species diversity. All epiphyte species are native to Brazil, having a wide geographic distribution; 4 of which are endemic to the country (Vriesea philippocoburgii, Vriesea rodigasiana, Pleopeltis pleopeltifolia and Rhipsalis teres). We found 8 anemochorous (80%) and 2 zoochorous (20%) species. Phorophytes exposed to the open ocean along Santos Bay showed lower diversity of epiphyte species compared to those located in the estuarine zone. This region where channel 7 is located, protected from the action of winds and sea spray due to the position of the island of Santo Amaro just ahead, revealed a greater abundance and diversity of epiphytes. Rhipsalis teres and Microgramma vacciniifolia demonstrated greater resistance to environmental factors on the beachfront, being the only species present in all channels.