Author Type

Graduate Student

Date of Award

1982

Document Type

Thesis

Publication Status

Version of Record

Submission Date

October 2026

Thesis/Dissertation Advisor [Chair]

Austin, Daniel F.

Abstract

Populations of Guzmania monostachia, Catopsis berteroniana, C. floribunda and C. nutans were studied in the Fakahatchee Strand State Preserve, located in southwestern Florida in Collier County. The habitat preference, within habitat distributions and quantitative estimates of rarity were determined for each of the bromeliads. Catopsis and Guzmania are found primarily in swamp communities, especially in Fraxinus caroliniana-Annona glabra sloughs. Fraxinus carolihiana is the most comroon host for these bromeliads. On a host, these species are distributed along a vertical gradient probably in relationship to light intensities. Guzmania monostachia is found at the lowest height (Y = 2.5 +- 0.5 m) while Catopsis berteroniana is found at the greatest height (Y = 5.2 +- 0.2 m). Catopsis berteroniana occurs in the lowest densities and Guzmania in the highest. Specific ecological requirements, habitat destruction and the existence at the extremes of their ranges are responsible for the rarity of Catopsis and Guzmania in Florida.

Extent

80 p.

Comments

Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 1982.|Charles E. Schmidt College of Science|FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection|Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 1982.

Identifier

FADT14122

Format

pdf

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