• Ocean and Polar Research
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.37-43
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• 2000

Epiphytic communities on marine plants of Seychelles (Indian Ocean Island group associated with East Africa) were investigated in January - March of 1989 during the $15^{th}$ biological voyage of the research vessel cademic Alexander Nesmeyanov. A seagrass species, Thalassodendron ciliatum, and macroalgae (Sargassum spp. and Halimeda spp.) were tested for host substrates and biomass of their dominant epiphytes were assessed. Also, in order to understand the effect of shading and nutrient filtering by epiphytes, two series of photosynthetic rates were compared for Th. ciliatum host leaves having 10% and no epiphytes. Total of 84 species of algae and main taxons of benthic animals were identified from three different host plants. An average biomass of the epiphytes on Th. cihiatum was $184.6g\;kg^{-1}$ and dominant species were green alga Halimeda opuntia, red algae Dictyurus occidentalis and Gelidiella myrioclada. These dominant species and their biomass were remarkably varied with depth increment. On Sargassum spp., an average biomass of the epiphytes was $0.18g\;kg^{-1}$ and the maximum biomass was never exceeded $0.16g\;kg^{-1}$. In the case of Halimeda spp. an average biomass of the epiphytes was $8.0g\;kg^{-1}$, and dominant species were Peyssonnelia dubyi, sponges and decapods. Photosynthetic rates of Th. ciliatum were significantly reduced in the leaves having 10% epiphytes (1.72 times lower, t=6.718, p<0.001).

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.272-279
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• 2012

This was the second study on the ecological characteristics of the epiphytes on seagrass leaf. The objective of this study was to understand the variation of epiphytes on seagrass leaf depending on the change of physico-chemical factors such as salinity, nutrients, and etc. This study showed the four results. 1) The eelgrass growth was influenced by water temperature, suggesting the positive correlation between eelgrass growth and water temperature. 2) The epiphytes growth on seagrass leaves did not show the correlation with water temperature, but negatively correlated with salinity. 3) The eelgrass growth decreased when the concentraion of nitrogen increased. 4) However, loads of epiphytes increased when the concentration of total nitogen (TN), nitrate ($NO_3^-$), and nitrite ($NO_2^-$) were high. This increase of epiphytes growth could be suggested in the cause-effect pathway of nutrient enrichment leading to seagrasses loss.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.99-107
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• 2013

This study surveyed the distribution and characteristics of epiphytes and host trees in Jejudo's warm-temperate evergreen forests area. The gathered data will be used for evaluating ecological changes according to climate change. The study found 46 species of epiphytes in Jejudo; 12 of which were species of pteridophytes and 5 species of orchids, totaling 17 species of epiphytes. The appearance frequency was the greatest with Lepisorus thunbergianus, followed by Lemmaphyllum microphyllum and Lepisorus onoei. The area with the greatest diversity of epiphytes was nutmeg tree forests which have the largest number of 2.89 average species. Lemmaphyllum microphyllum had the greatest percent cover of the epiphytes whose importance was found to be the greatest. The factors involved were the epiphytes' diversity index (0.64), maximum species diversity (1.23), evenness (0.52), and dominance (0.48). The study has noted the distribution characteristics of epiphytes according to altitudes above sea level. The Lemmaphyllum microphyllum can survive at an altitude of 600 m above sea level, Lepisorus thunbergianus at 200 - 1,400m above sea level, Lepisorus onoei. at 400 - 1,000 m, and Gonocormus minutus at an altitude above 800 m. The host trees, consisting of Quercus serrata, Castanopsis cuspidata var. sieboldii, and Carpinus laxiflora, stands at 2-19 m high and 2.5 - 120 cm wide, showing diverse kinds of trees and sizes. Jejudo's warm-temperate evergreen forests have lower epiphyte diversity compared with those of subtropical and tropical areas in Japan and China. Based on the characteristics of the host trees order, epiphytes' distribution associated with the altitude above sea level was typical.

• Proceedings of the Botanical Society of Korea Conference
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• 2001.04a
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• pp.20-20
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• 2001

• Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.217-225
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• 2021

This study evaluated the species composition, diversity and phorophyte preference of epiphytes at the University of Port Harcourt located in southern part of Nigeria. Purposive sampling technique was used to select sites representing major avenues in the three campuses (Abuja, Choba and Delta) of the University. Data were collected on species name of phorophytes, number of individuals, diameter at breast height (dbh) and height, and species/number of epiphytes present on them. The points/sections of attachment of epiphytes on phorophytes were also recorded. A total of eight species of epiphyte belonging to six families were recorded in the study. Species diversity was higher in Abuja campus (Simpson 1-D=0.81; Shannon H=1.79), followed by Choba campus (Simpson 1-D=0.73; Shannon H=1.09) and Delta campus (Simpson 1-D=0.56; Shannon H=0.93). Species richness was highest in Abuja campus (n=8) followed by Delta campus (n=4) and Choba campus (n=3). Similarity in epiphyte species composition was highest between Choba and Delta campuses (85.71%), followed by Delta and Abuja campuses (66.67%) and lowest between Choba and Abuja campuses (54.55%). The family-Polypodiaceae, had the highest number of species (n=3). Microgramma owariensis had the highest relative abundance (27%) followed by Platycerium bifurcatum (26%) while Tillandsia utriculata and Peperomia pellucida had the least relative abundance (3%). Epiphyte abundance was weakly correlated with both the dbh and height of phorophytes. However, epiphytes were more abundant on phorophytes with rough/scaly/corky/flaky barks than on those with smooth barks. The planting of avenue tree species with rough barks is recommended to enhance the diversity of epiphytes in the study area.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.362-372
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• 2011

The relationships among total epiphytes, algal epiphytes and eelgrass ($Zostera$ $marina$ L.) were studied at eelgrass medows from July, 1998 to July, 1999 in Yulim-ri, Yeosu, Korea. Epiphytic diatoms on eelgrass leaves were observed from July to December 1998. From the results of this study, we inferred the following three (3) conclusions : 1) As eelgrass grew older, biomass of epiphytes increased, according to relationships between the leaf length and area of eelgrass and biomass (DW, AFDW and Chl. $a$) of epiphytes. 2) According to the ratio of dry weight, ash-free dry weight and Chlorophyll of epiphytes, the algae with calcareous or siliceous skeletons, such as coralline algae or diatoms, were dominated in the epitphytic algae community. 3) The autotrophic index (AI) calculated from AFDW and Chl. $a$ of epiphytes varied from 151 to 375. However, the period of autotrophic community was shorter than heterotrophic community and the value of AI was high. From these results, we inferred that heterotrophic community, including detritus or microorganisms were dominated in the most of research period.

• ALGAE
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.141-153
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• 2010

Seagrass epiphyte blooms potentially have important economic and ecological consequences in Tampa Bay, one of the Gulf of Mexico's largest estuaries. As part of a Tampa Bay pilot study to monitor the impact of environmental stresses, precise characterization of epiphyte diversity is required for efficient management of affected resources. Thus, epiphyte diversity may be used as a rational basis for assessment of ecosystem health. In May 2001, epiphytic species encompassing green, brown and red macroalgae were manually collected from dense and sparse seagrass beds of Thalassia testudinum and Syringodium filiforme. A total of 20 macroalgal epiphytes, 2 Chlorophyta, 2 Phaeophyta, and 16 Rhodophyta, were found on T. testudinum and S. filiforme seagrass at the four sampling sites (Bishop Harbor, Cockroach Bay, Feather Sound, and Mariposa Key). The Rhodophyta, represented by 16 species, dominated the numbers of species. Among them, the thin-crusted Hydrolithon farinosum was the most commonly found epiphyte on seagrass leaves. Species number, as well as species frequency of epiphytes, is higher at dense seagrass sites than sparse seagrass sites. Four attachment patterns of epiphytes can be classified according to cortex and rhizoid development: 1) creeping, 2) erect, 3) creeping & erect, and 4) erect & holding. The creeping type is characterized by an encrusting thallus without a rhizoid or holdfast base. Characteristics of the erect type include a filamentous thallus with or without a cortex, and a rhizoid or holdfast base. The creeping and erect type is characterized by a filamentous thallus with a cortex and rhizoid. A filamentous thallus with a cortex, holdfast base, and host holding branch is characteristics of the erect and holdfast attachment type. This study characterized each species found on the seagrass for epiphyte identification.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.515-522
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• 2011

This study examined the epiphytes using stable isotopes. Separated epiphytes should represent the water quality. In study areas, where agricultural paddies were prevailing, biomass of epiphytes can increase nitrogen isotopes(${\delta}^{15}N$) and as a result decrease in carbon isotopes(${\delta}^{13}C$). Naerin stream and Inbuk upper areas showed higher nitrogen isotopes(${\delta}^{15}N$) than in Hangye and Buk stream. Also, stable carbon isotopes(${\delta}^{13}C$) in Naerin stream and Inbuk streams tended to increase than in Hangye and Buk stream. This can indicate the epiphytes can be a good indicator for water quality pollution.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.47 no.2
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• pp.303-309
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• 2019

Earlier studies by our group revealed that gallic acid in phytochemicals stimulated biofilm production in epiphytes, while caffeic acid in phytochemicals inhibited biofilm production in non-epiphytes. It is well documented that antimicrobial secretion by some epiphytic bacteria inhibits non-epiphytic bacterial growth on leaf surfaces. These selection criteria help plants choose their microbial inhabitants. Calcium and iron in phytochemicals also stimulate biofilm formation and thus, may be selection criteria adopted by plants with respect to their native epiphytic population. Furthermore, the processing of leaves during phytochemical extraction impacts the composition of the extract, and therefore its ability to affect bacterial biofilm formation. Computation of the Hurst exponent using biofilm thickness data obtained from the Ellipsometry of Brewster Angle Microscopic (BAM) images is an efficient tool for understanding the impact of phytochemicals on epiphytic and non-epiphytic populations when compared to fluorescent microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and staining techniques. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report that uses the Hurst exponent to elucidate the mechanism involved in plant microbe interaction.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.1-17
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• 2013

This study was conducted to understand the habitat characteristics of Psilotum nudum of Dosuncheon river and Anduck valley in Jeju Island. The total of 79 vascular plants taxa including 39 families, 58 genera, 75 species and 4 varieties were investigated in Dosuncheon river, while 59 vascular plants taxa consisting of 34 families, 50 genera, 53 species and 6 varieties were investigated in Anduck valley. When it comes to the life form, the rates of distribution of annual plants (therophytes) at the mouth of Dosuncheon river and Anduck valley were lower than those of the Korean peninsula and Jeju Island. However, the rates of distribution of chamaephytes and epiphytes were higher at the mouth of Dosuncheon river and Anduck valley. As for vegetation, epiphytes (such as Trachelospermum asiaticum var. intermedium, Trachelospermum asiaticum var. majus and Lemmaphyllum microphyllum) and adiantum plants (including Psilotum nudum, Cytomium fortunei and Rumohra aristata), which are typically easy to be dispersed in rocky zones, dominated these areas since they are vertical or horizontal joints containing wide rocky zones. The main threats to the habitats of Psilotum nudum are environmental pollution, lack of publicity, installation of various facilities such as recreational facilities, gathering for medical and horticulture purposes, vegetation succession and application of waterfront. The management of the rocky zones as habitats for Psilotum nudum is an important factor in their expansion.