Abstract
To examine the influence of major environmental factors on epiphytes, the relationships between environmental factors and species composition of epiphytic bryophytes and lichens on trunks of Cryptomeria japonica D. DON, were studied at Fuji-Sengen Shrine in Fujiyoshida City, Yamanashi Prefecture in central Japan. The area surrounding this shrine is probably suitable for the growth of bryophytes and lichens, because the air pollution (especially, photochemical oxidants concentration) is low and the precipitation is high in Kanto-Koshindistrict. No difference was observed in the number of species or in the cover of these epiphytes in relation to aspect of tree trunk or relative light intensity (RLI). In DBH class IV (over 90 cm in DBH), however, some difference in vegetation cover between the north-east and south-west side of the trunks was observed. pH of the bark was not shown to affect epiphytic growth. The environmental factor exerting the most definite influence on the growth of epiphytic bryophytes and lichens was texture of the bark, especially its surface roughness. The greater the roughness of the bark, as substrate of epiphytic bryophytes and lichens, the more easily the epiphytes become established, possibly owing to the increased water holding capacity of the bark. It was considered that rough bark formed a good habitat for epiphytes.
https://ror.org/01hjzeq58 
