Formation of Epiphytic Communities in Man-made Forests of South Vietnam

Epiphytes in man-made forests simulating a mixed tropical forest of South Vietnam are studied. With respect to the number of species, epiphytic orchids are better represented than ferns (six vs. five species); on the other hand, the latter prevail in the number of individuals. A comparison of the floristic composition of the epiphytic community of plantations with a nearby primary forest (Stugrun-Radulescu index rho(sr)= 0.68) and two other South Vietnam forests (Ma Da Forestry and Phu Quoc Island; rho(sr)= 0.61 and 0.71, respectively) did not reveal significant similarities. However, these data indicate that a relatively complex epiphytic community, which can accumulate up to 100 kg/ha of deposited organic matter and plant mineral nutrients in crowns, has been formed in the man-made forests over 20 years.