Simultaneous relocation strategy of bromeliads as epiphytes or terricolous in the Montane Dense Ombrophilous Forest of Parque Estadual da Cantareira, São Paulo State, Brazil.

Estratégia de realocação simultânea de bromélias como epífitas ou terrícolas na Floresta Ombrófila Densa Montana do Parque Estadual da Cantareira, Estado de São Paulo, Brasil.

ABSTRACT

Plant relocation resulting from vegetation removal is an important conservation strategy. This work aimed to investigate the simultaneous relocation of the bromeliads Aechmea distichantha Lem. and Wittrockia cyathiformis (Vell.) Leme in epiphytic and terricolous form. These bromeliads were rescued from deforested areas due to the construction of a highway. Both were fixed onto tree trunks or pitchforks or in the soil in a Montane Dense Ombrophilous Forest area of Parque da Estadual Cantareira, São Paulo State, Brazil. After one year A. distichantha maintained 100% survival rate, when transplanted in terricolous and 83.33 % in epiphytic form, while W. cyathiformis was 60% for both relocation forms. We concluded that both bromeliad species could be simultaneously relocated as epiphytes or terricolous. Direct relocation to the ground guarantees practicality, as it is difficult to find trees with forks located at small heights from the ground in which the manual fixing of the plant could be done without equipment.

Keywords:
Aechmea distichantha; conservation of native forest; facultative habit; Wittrockia cyathiformis; vegetation removal