Needle microepiphytes in a Douglas fir canopy: biomass and distribution patterns

Abstract

Distribution patterns and total cell-volume estimates for needle microepiphytes are presented for three strata in the canopy of a single old-growth Douglas fir tree. Microbial cell volume was estimated by photographing transverse sections of needles, tracing microbial profiles on Mylar film, cutting out the tracings, and determining the pooled trace weights from various zones of each needle section. Microbial cells are concentrated in the midrib groove and over the stomatal zones of individual needles. Microbial cell volume on the upper needle surfaces increases during the 1st year and declines in subsequent years. Cell volumes on the lower needle surfaces increase from the 1st to the 3rd year and decrease from the 3rd to the 4th year. An increase in microbial cell volume occurs on both upper and lower surfaces from year 7 to year 8. Total microbial cell volume in relation to available needle surface area is greatest in the lower canopy and decreases with increasing height in the canopy. The total volume of microbial cells on needles was estimated to be 1093 cm3 for the entire tree.