The physiological ecology of vascular epiphytes: current knowledge, open questions.

@article{Zotz2001ThePE,
  title={The physiological ecology of vascular epiphytes: current knowledge, open questions.},
  author={Gerhard Zotz and Peter Hietz},
  journal={Journal of experimental botany},
  year={2001},
  volume={52 364},
  pages={
          2067-78
        }
}
  • G. Zotz, P. Hietz
  • Published 1 November 2001
  • Medicine, Biology
  • Journal of experimental botany
The current knowledge of the physiological ecology of vascular epiphytes is reviewed here with an emphasis on the most recent literature. It is argued that by far the most relevant abiotic constraint for growth and vegetative function of vascular epiphytes is water shortage, while other factors such as nutrient availability or irradiation, are generally of inferior importance. However, it is shown that the present understanding of epiphyte biology is still highly biased, both taxonomically and… 
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