The Plant You Don’t Have To Water

Epiphytes, or 'plants on plants,' have evolved to absorb water from the air, allowing them to thrive in diverse forest environments. They capture moisture through various methods, such as trapping airborne water vapor and funneling rain into storage tanks. These plants play a crucial role in forest ecosystems by intercepting rain, reducing evaporation, and enhancing water retention. This helps maintain forest hydration, supports diverse life forms, and even influences local weather patterns by promoting cloud formation.

What adaptations do epiphytes have to survive without direct access to soil?

How do epiphytes contribute to water retention in forests?

What is the significance of epiphytes in maintaining biodiversity in forest habitats?

In what ways do epiphytes help reduce evaporation in forest ecosystems?

Explain how epiphytes can influence rainfall patterns above forests.