A unique world in a bromeliad
Bromeliads are plants which grow exclusively in the tropic and subtropical Americas (Neotropics). Most of these wonderful and colorful plants come from the Atlantic forest in Brazil.
Bromeliads are found at altitudes ranging from sea level to over 14,000 feet. A wide variety of bromeliads can be found in Brazil in different habitats from the hot, dry semi-arid regions of the caatinga, the moist rain forests along the coast and up in the cool mountainous regions.
They can be observed in a variety of growing situations: Some Terrestrial species are found growing in the ground like most plants. Saxicolous species grow in small sections of rocky soil, large rocky surfaces and hanging on cliffs as well, where their roots may penetrate cracks and fissures to locate moisture or organic nutrients. However they can do well if placed in large branches of a tree by human interference. Epiphytic species are found growing on other plants, usually trees or shrubs. They are able to take their nutrition and moisture from the atmosphere and are for that reason called "Air Plants".
Contrary to what many believe, they do not extract nutrients from the host plant, using it only for support. The overlapping spiral arrangement of leaves in a bromeliad forms a cup that turns into a reservoir. Inside the reservoir there is a whole world of life. Small frogs and a large number of insects and arthropods can be found inside the plant. They also attract many species of birds during the dry seasons, which come for food and water, both for drinking and bathing.
The focus of this article is a very rare species, the Portea Leptantha, that occurs in a limited area above the São franscisco river. This is the same area where the spectacular Seven-colored tanager (Tangara Fastuosa) a vulnerable bird species, and the Alagoas curassow (Mitu mitu), which is now listed as extinct in the wild, are endemic to. The Seven-colored tanager, one of the most beautiful birds on earth, was also described by German naturalist Georg Markgraf in his book Historia Naturalis Brasiliae. The bird has seven bright colors, eats mostly fruit, but also feeds also on buds, insects and flowers. It is one of the major natural works of art that the human eye can have the privilege to see in the wild. Remnants of both the bromeliad and the Tangara fastuosa were left behind in the process of the destruction of the Atlantic forest which framed the extensive Brazilian coast from Rio Grande do Sul to Rio Grande do Norte.
There is a strong connection between the bromeliad and this particular bird, some others as well, which depend on the plant to nest, to get protection, for shade, food and water. Bromeliads are critical to the survival of the Seven-colored tanager. (photo)
We have researched and observed this species on a farm that exists like an island, an oasis in the middle of a devastated landscape of pasture and sugarcane, not far from the protected Murici forest. The owners of this property have been collecting the Portea Leptantha, which have been removed from trees on other farms. They also save the bromeliads from felled trees on property borders in the local area. The birds visit the bromeliads constantly, where they appear and disappear between the spirals of leaves, bathing in the water, collecting insects and using the flowers for food (photo). We have seen many other species using the bromeliad as a shelter, for shade and as a safe place to nest and to collect an important part of their diet.
A complete lack of education about the Brazilian flora in schools have left the local people without an understanding of the importance to the ecosystem that these bromeliads represent. The level of destruction produced by carelessness in these still existent pieces of forest formations is great. It is very common for farmers to pull the bromeliads out of the trees and to burn them, or just pile them up until they dry out and die.
We would like to create a project to make a safe sanctuary for these plants that are so important to the survival and the protection of the Tangara fastuosa. Unfortunately, current funding does not allow for us to go ahead with this project. If you are interested in participating, either by directly donating or raising funds, to help buy the land you will be our partners, working to save the last remnants of the great habitat of the coastal rain forest of northeastern Brazil.
In the name of the planet we would appreciate it immensely.
Give us your feedback.
