Biogeography of Plants in Western Amazonia

[Holger Kreft]

Dear Taxacom users,

I am working on the biogeography of vascular epiphytes in the Ecuadorian
part of Amazonia. What I have noticed is a relatively high percentage of
taxa with a primarily (sub-) montane distribution at our study site at
200 m a.s.l. My distribution maps of these species lead me to the
conclusion that the high and evenly distributed rainfall in this part of
Amazonioa makes it possible for some epiphytic species to "slide" down
from the Andes into these lowlands. After extensive literature research
I only ended up with two Gentry paper dealing with this phenomenon in
the Choc? region, where we have a comparable climatic situation.
Could anyone of you help me in finding more studies about that topic?
Does anyone of you have made similiar observations in other groups of
plants or animals?

I would greatly appreaciate your help.

Cheers,

Holger Kreft

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Dipl. Biol. Holger Kreft
Botanical Institut and Botanical Garden
University of Bonn
Meckenheimer Allee 170
D-53115 Bonn, Germany
++49-(0)-228-73-6333
hk at uni-bonn.de
http://www.botanik.uni-bonn.de/system/epiphyt.htm
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