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Tropical terrestrial and epiphytic ferns have different leaf stoichiometry with ecological implications

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dc.contributor.authorSyazwan Pengiran Sulaiman
dc.contributor.authorCicuzza, Daniele
dc.date.accessioned2026-11-10T06:51:40Z
dc.date.available2026-11-10T06:51:40Z
dc.date.issued2023
dc.description.abstractTerrestrial and epiphytic herbaceous forest species have different ecology and leaf stoichiometry. In tropical regions, a great component of herbaceous forest species is represented by ferns with different lifeforms. However, little is known about the differences in leaf stoichiometry between the lifeforms. We account for the concentrations of leaf elements (N, P, K, Ca and Mg) between terrestrial and epiphyte lifeforms and evolutionary clades. The fern species were sampled from the forest of Brunei Darussalam. Five leaves were collected from 5 individuals from 16 terrestrial and 4 epiphytic ferns. The leaves were then acid-digested and analyzed. Epiphytic species had higher concentration of most of the leaf elements. The N:P ratio showed that the epiphytic species being much more nutrient-limited, relying on stochastic events, compared to the terrestrial species which have a constant availability of soil elements. Epiphytes showed a higher concentration of P, which could be explained by their luxury consumption. Epiphytes accumulate elements in a higher concentration than is needed by their normal metabolic activity. Furthermore, epiphyte species have a signi􀂦cantly higher concentration of Ca which could be interpreted as necessity of coping with severe habitat conditions with schlerophyll leaves. The results bring in more information on the poorly studied stoichiometry of tropical Asian fern species. Important in understanding the eco-physiology of terrestrial and epiphytic ferns and determining which species are sensitive to the different forest management and the effect of climate change. This, is in addition to the associated mechanisms.
dc.format.extent15 pages
dc.identifier.urihttps://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-709718/v1
dc.identifier.urihttps://repository.ubd.edu.bn/handle/123456789/4853
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherResearch Square
dc.subject.lcshFerns--Brunei Darussalam
dc.subject.lcshEpiphytes--Brunei Darussalam
dc.subject.lcshLeaves--Brunei Darussalam--Composition
dc.subject.lcshPlant nutrients--Brunei Darussalam
dc.subject.lcshPlant ecophysiology--Brunei Darussalam
dc.titleTropical terrestrial and epiphytic ferns have different leaf stoichiometry with ecological implications
dc.typeArticle
dspace.entity.typePublication
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