The present study compared the densities and
within-forest distribution of individuals of eight relatively
abundant species of epiphytic bromeliads and
orchids between two adjacent plots, one of which was
disturbed by wood extraction. We generally expected
densities to be lower in the disturbed forest plot,
and species growing on thicker branches and in the
more humid part of the canopy to be more strongly
affected. Since the persistence of populations of epiphytic
bromeliads and orchids studied so far relies
mostly on the survival of large, flowering individuals
(Zotz et al. 2005; Zotz & Schmidt 2006; Winkler
2005), and juveniles of several species were too numerous
and difficult to identify, only reproductively
mature individuals were recorded.