Understanding the distribution of three species of epiphytic orchids in temperate Australian rainforest by investigation of their host and fungal associates

Abstract

Understanding the environmental constraints that affect species distributions are critical to the mainte- nance of biodiversity. The abundance of epiphytic organisms, those that grow on another substrate, such as a tree or rock, is a direct consequence of the avail- ability and distribution of these substrates (Ackerman et al. 1989). In the case of epiphytic orchids it is also due to the presence of orchid mycorrhizal fungi (OMF). For an orchid, crucial to its germination and establishment, is its association with an OMF. The OMF provides a carbon source to the developing orchid embryo (Rasmussen 1995). Although recipro- cal carbon transfer has been demonstrated in mature plants of a green, terrestrial, orchid species, Goodyera repens (Cameron et al. 2006), it is generally believed that OMF receive no immediate benefit from their association with orchids. Therefore, it would appear intuitive that orchids would associate with all OMF available within their local environment and that they would actively seek this association.