1. Effect of tree composition on epiphytes abundance in coffee agroforestry systems of Kodagu Poornika,Kushalappa, C.G.,Mohana, G.S., Vaast, P, Garcia, C., Sinclair, F. L, Jadyegowda,. and M.N. Ramesh CAFNET PROJECT 2 nd world congress on agro forestry, Nairobi

2. 18 communities including several tribes Coorg district (75.92 o,12.27 o ), Karnataka State, India Biodiversity rich landscape in the central Western Ghats, one of the 34 global hotpots of biodiversity Geographical area ~ 4160 Sq.kms and altitude ranges 800- 1800 mts The forest cover 45% and 30% agro-forestry systems Wet evergreen, moist and dry deciduous forests. Map Courtesy: Garcia, C., 2003

3. Context Tree cover loss Associated biodiversity loss Native tree conversion to exotic species Human-elephant conflict Land tenure systems Legal hurdles Labor crisis

6. CAFNET PROJECT Local Knowledge Biodiversity inventory Soil and Hydrological studies Enhancing value chains Best practice guidelines related to ecosystem services

7. Objective and Questions Objective: To assess the epiphyte abundance and distribution in coffee agro forestry systems under different vegetation types Questions: 1) Can increase in canopy cover lead to increase in epiphyte abundance. 2) Does vegetation type affects epiphytes distribution 3) Do epiphytes prefer certain host trees.

8. 1. Stratification-  Evergreen/ moist deciduous vegetation  Totally 36 plantations in 12 villages were sampled 2. Sampling-  Variable width transect method  Trees in each plantation were enumerated and observed for epiphy tes Methodology

9. Cauvery Watershed

10. View of CAFS under different canopy cover

11. Canopy cover & Epiphytes abundance Canopy cover had significant influence on epiphytic species abundance Up to certain threshold level of canopy epiphytic species abundance increases

12. Girth class and epiphytic species abundance Evergreen Moist deciduous

13. Host preference & Epiphyte abundance Evergreen Moist Deciduous

14. Epiphytic species abundance Evergreen Moist deciduous

15. Conclusions CAF provides favorable microclimate for epiphytes. Maintaining optimum tree (canopy) cover in CAF supports for higher epiphytic abundance. Epiphytes do differ in their abundance and species preference w.r.t. vegetation types and girth class of trees