How Epiphytic Are Filmy Ferns? A Semi-Quantitative Approach

Similar to plants in many other families, members of the Hymenophyllaceae use numerous substrates for growth, e.g., soil, rocks or tree bark. However, substrate preference does not only differ among species but can also vary same species. There have been several attempts past appropriately capture this variation, none proved feasible was replicated any subsequent work. In our approach, we textual information from sources like checklists, floras and descriptions come up with a quantitative index 450 filmy ferns (=c. 75% all family) epiphytic, lithophytic terrestrial growth. We show that majority clear habitat preferences, while strict specificity is rather uncommon. Our compilation will be an important input future ecological phylogenetic studies family, presented approach much more general interest: it immediately applicable taxonomic groups should eventually allow us replace current assigning distinct categories (epiphyte, lithophyte terrestrial) by one finally reflects biological variability appropriately.