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The forest within the forest: restoration of Galapagos host–epiphyte networks.

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Title: The forest within the forest: restoration of Galapagos host–epiphyte networks.
Authors: Feldmann, Paula1 (AUTHOR) mo-paulafeldmann@t-online.de; paulafeldmann82@gmail.com, Heleno, Ruben H.1 (AUTHOR) rheleno@uc.pt; ruben_huttel@hotmail.com, Mieles, Alejandro E.2 (AUTHOR) aemieles@gmail.com, Andrade, Miguel1 (AUTHOR) miguelm.andrade@hotmail.com, Traveset, Anna2 (AUTHOR) atraveset@csic.es, Jäger, Heinke3 (AUTHOR) heinke.jaeger@fcdarwin.org.ec, Donoso, Isabel4,5 (AUTHOR) isa.donoso@bc3research.org
Source: Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences. 7/15/2026, Vol. 293 Issue 2075, p1-11. 11p.
Subjects: Epiphytes, Invasive plants, Restoration ecology, Environmental degradation, Animal-plant relationships, Islands, Forests & forestry, Plant diversity
Geographic Terms: Galapagos Islands
Abstract: Ecosystem restoration is increasingly implemented to mitigate biodiversity loss. Epiphytes represent up to a third of tropical plant diversity and perform key ecosystem functions. Yet, they are highly vulnerable to deforestation and their recovery under restoration remains understudied. We evaluated the effect of invasive plant removal on host–structurally dependent plant (SDP) interactions in the endemic and endangered Scalesia pedunculata forest on Santa Cruz Island (Galapagos). We considered the full assemblage of SDPs, including obligate, facultative, accidental epiphytes and other phorophyte-associated plants such as vines and lianas. Using 20 paired 10 × 10 m plots (invaded versus 11 years of restoration), we compared interaction network structure, SDP diversity and the main predictors of SDP richness. Network descriptors did not differ between treatments but restored plots supported higher richness. Richness per host increased with moss cover and host tree diameter (DBH) in sites under restoration, indicating improved host suitability. The endemic S. pedunculata was identified as a keystone host, with the highest species strength and degree. However, its lack of regeneration in invaded plots threatens long-term SDP persistence. Our findings demonstrate that restoration enhanced SDP richness by fostering suitable hosts, highlighting the relevance of integrating biotic interactions into restoration planning and monitoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences is the property of Royal Society and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
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DbLabel: Engineering Source
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  Data: The forest within the forest: restoration of Galapagos host–epiphyte networks.
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Feldmann%2C+Paula%22">Feldmann, Paula</searchLink><relatesTo>1</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<i> mo-paulafeldmann@t-online.de; paulafeldmann82@gmail.com</i><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Heleno%2C+Ruben+H%2E%22">Heleno, Ruben H.</searchLink><relatesTo>1</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<i> rheleno@uc.pt; ruben_huttel@hotmail.com</i><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Mieles%2C+Alejandro+E%2E%22">Mieles, Alejandro E.</searchLink><relatesTo>2</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<i> aemieles@gmail.com</i><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Andrade%2C+Miguel%22">Andrade, Miguel</searchLink><relatesTo>1</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<i> miguelm.andrade@hotmail.com</i><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Traveset%2C+Anna%22">Traveset, Anna</searchLink><relatesTo>2</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<i> atraveset@csic.es</i><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Jäger%2C+Heinke%22">Jäger, Heinke</searchLink><relatesTo>3</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<i> heinke.jaeger@fcdarwin.org.ec</i><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Donoso%2C+Isabel%22">Donoso, Isabel</searchLink><relatesTo>4,5</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<i> isa.donoso@bc3research.org</i>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="JN" term="%22Proceedings+of+the+Royal+Society+B%3A+Biological+Sciences%22">Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences</searchLink>. 7/15/2026, Vol. 293 Issue 2075, p1-11. 11p.
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Epiphytes%22">Epiphytes</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Invasive+plants%22">Invasive plants</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Restoration+ecology%22">Restoration ecology</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Environmental+degradation%22">Environmental degradation</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Animal-plant+relationships%22">Animal-plant relationships</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Islands%22">Islands</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Forests+%26+forestry%22">Forests & forestry</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Plant+diversity%22">Plant diversity</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Galapagos+Islands%22">Galapagos Islands</searchLink>
– Name: Abstract
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  Data: Ecosystem restoration is increasingly implemented to mitigate biodiversity loss. Epiphytes represent up to a third of tropical plant diversity and perform key ecosystem functions. Yet, they are highly vulnerable to deforestation and their recovery under restoration remains understudied. We evaluated the effect of invasive plant removal on host–structurally dependent plant (SDP) interactions in the endemic and endangered Scalesia pedunculata forest on Santa Cruz Island (Galapagos). We considered the full assemblage of SDPs, including obligate, facultative, accidental epiphytes and other phorophyte-associated plants such as vines and lianas. Using 20 paired 10 × 10 m plots (invaded versus 11 years of restoration), we compared interaction network structure, SDP diversity and the main predictors of SDP richness. Network descriptors did not differ between treatments but restored plots supported higher richness. Richness per host increased with moss cover and host tree diameter (DBH) in sites under restoration, indicating improved host suitability. The endemic S. pedunculata was identified as a keystone host, with the highest species strength and degree. However, its lack of regeneration in invaded plots threatens long-term SDP persistence. Our findings demonstrate that restoration enhanced SDP richness by fostering suitable hosts, highlighting the relevance of integrating biotic interactions into restoration planning and monitoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
– Name: AbstractSuppliedCopyright
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  Data: <i>Copyright of Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences is the property of Royal Society and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
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RecordInfo BibRecord:
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    Identifiers:
      – Type: doi
        Value: 10.1098/rspb.2025.2538
    Languages:
      – Code: eng
        Text: English
    PhysicalDescription:
      Pagination:
        PageCount: 11
        StartPage: 1
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Epiphytes
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Invasive plants
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Restoration ecology
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Environmental degradation
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Animal-plant relationships
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Islands
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Forests & forestry
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Plant diversity
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Galapagos Islands
        Type: general
    Titles:
      – TitleFull: The forest within the forest: restoration of Galapagos host–epiphyte networks.
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              M: 07
              Text: 7/15/2026
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              Y: 2026
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