Effects of temperature, water availability, and elevation on the germination of epiphytic bromeliads under controlled and field conditions

Authors

  • Diana C. Gómez González Instituto Interdisciplinario de Investigación e Innovación, Universidad Autónoma de Chiriquí, Chiriquí, Panamá https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6817-3106
  • Darielis Lezcano Romero Escuela de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Exactas, Universidad Autónoma de Chiriquí, Chiriquí, Panamá https://orcid.org/0009-0001-2517-4459
  • Henry Dubán Velásquez Escuela de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Exactas, Universidad Autónoma de Chiriquí, Chiriquí, Panamá
  • Yostin Añino Museo de Invertebrados G.B. Fairchild, Universidad de Panamá, Ciudad de Panamá, Panamá https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8870-8155

Keywords:

altitudinal gradient, climate change, cloud forest, environmental tolerance, epiphytism

Abstract

We evaluated the effect of temperature, water availability and altitude on the germination of three epiphytic bromeliad species: Guzmania glomerata, G. stenostachya, and Werauhia macrochlamys. Under controlled conditions, water availability did not significantly affect germination, but increased temperature reduced germination success, especially in Guzmania. In the field, germination was significantly lower at lower-altitude sites, mirroring the thermal effects observed in the laboratory. W. macrochlamys showed greater relative thermal tolerance. These results indicate that temperature is a key limiting factor for the germination of epiphytic bromeliads and suggest their potential as bioindicators of climate change in Neotropical ecosystems.

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Published

2026-08-08

How to Cite

(1)
Gómez González, D. C.; Lezcano Romero, D. .; Velásquez, H. D.; Añino, Y. Effects of Temperature, Water Availability, and Elevation on the Germination of Epiphytic Bromeliads under Controlled and Field Conditions. Gayana Bot. 2026, 83, 16-23.

Issue

Vol. 83 No. 1 (2026)

Section

ORIGINAL ARTICLES

License

Copyright (c) 2026 Diana C. Gómez González, Darielis Lezcano Romero, Henry Dubán Velásquez, Yostin Añino

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