Bromeliaceae

Populations of Guzmania monostachia, Catopsis berteroniana, C. floribunda
and C. nutans were studied in the Fakahatchee Strand State Preserve,
located in southwestern Florida in Collier County. The habitat preference,
within habitat distributions and quantitative estimates of rarity were
determined for each of the bromeliads. Catopsis and Guzmania are found
primarily in swamp communities, especially in Fraxinus caroliniana-Annona
glabra sloughs. Fraxinus carolihiana is the most comroon host for these
bromeliads. On a host, these species are distributed along a vertical
gradient probably in relationship to light intensities. Guzmania monostachia
is found at the lowest height (Y = 2.5 +- 0.5 m) while Catopsis
berteroniana is found at the greatest height (Y = 5.2 +- 0.2 m). Catopsis
berteroniana occurs in the lowest densities and Guzmania in the highest.
Specific ecological requirements, habitat destruction and the existence
at the extremes of their ranges are responsible for the rarity of Catopsis
and Guzmania in Florida.