Environmental factors affect population structure of tree ferns in the Brazilian subtropical Atlantic Forest

ABSTRACT Tree ferns are important elements of tropical forests, mainly because they are common and provide microhabitats for epiphytic plants. Due to their ecological importance, the aim of this study was to evaluate population structure, distribution, and influence of environmental variables on tree ferns in the state of Santa Catarina, southern Brazil. All tree ferns with a diameter at breast height ≥ 10 cm on 418 sampling units (SUs) systematically distributed throughout the study area were measured (total sampled area of 153.4 ha). Population structure was evaluated through classical phytosociological parameters and the relationships among dominance and environmental variables were evaluated through multiple linear regression models. Dicksonia sellowiana presented the greatest importance value among all species (IV = 13.19 %), followed by Alsophila setosa (IV = 4.37 %) and Cyathea phalerata (IV = 2.71 %). Altitude and mean rainfall of the driest quarter were significantly related to the dominance of D. sellowiana in most of the SUs. The mean temperature of the driest quarter and aspect were significantly related to the dominance of Cyatheaceae. Our study demonstrates that tree ferns are important elements of forest communities in the state of Santa Catarina.