Monge, J., & M. A. Blanco. 1995. The influence of leaf characteristics on epiphyllic cover: a test of hypotheses with artificial leaves. Tropical Biology 11:5-9.

Abstract. Studies of epiphyll ecology have been hindered by the biochemical and morphological variability of the leaf substrate. The use of artificial (plastic ribbon tape) leaves solved that problem in a study done at the Braulio Carrillo National Park, Costa Rica. It showed that after nine months of field exposure, relative epiphyll cover was similar in five leaf shapes and two sizes. Driptips do not affect epiphyll cover, wich was four times higher under a clearing than in the shaded understory, for all leaf shapes and sizes.

PDF [789 KB]