What Symbiotic Relationship is an Air Plant and a Tree?

Air plants, also known as epiphytes, are unique plants that grow without soil. Instead, they attach themselves to different surfaces like trees, rocks, and buildings. One of the most interesting symbiotic relationships is the one between air plants and trees. Unlike parasites, air plants do not harm the trees they grow on. Instead, they form a mutually beneficial relationship with their host. The following is an exploration of what that relationship looks like.

What are Air Plants?

Air plants come in hundreds of varieties and have adapted to living in a variety of climates and conditions. These plants get their nutrients through the air and rainwater that falls onto them. They have adapted unique physical structures that help them survive, such as their ability to absorb nutrients and moisture through their leaves. Air plants are also able to close their stomata to retain moisture when the air is dry.

How Do Air Plants Benefit from Trees?

Air plants attach themselves to the bark of trees with unique structures known as roots. These roots do not absorb water or nutrients like traditional plants, but they help the air plants stay firmly in place. The trees, in turn, benefit from the air plants in several ways. Firstly, the air plants help to regulate the tree's moisture levels. As the air plants absorb excess moisture, the tree's bark is left dry, which reduces the likelihood of fungal growth. Secondly, air plants act as an indicator of air quality. They absorb pollutants and provide insight into the overall health of the ecosystem.

How Do Trees Benefit from Air Plants?

The tree/air plant relationship isn't one-sided. Trees also benefit from having air plants living on their bark. Firstly, the air plants themselves provide no harm to the tree or its growth. Secondly, air plants help to regulate the tree's moisture levels. As was mentioned earlier, the plants absorb excess moisture, leaving the tree's bark drier. This drier environment helps prevent the growth of fungi or bacteria, which can damage the tree. Lastly, air plants also help to provide nutrients to the tree. When air plants absorb dust or other debris from the air, they release nutrients back into the environment as they break down. These nutrients can, in turn, be reused by the tree.

Conclusion

Air plants and trees have a beneficial relationship which is mutually beneficial. The air plants help regulate the moisture levels of the tree, absorb pollutants from the air, and provide nutrients back to the environment. The tree, in turn, provides the air plants with a stable base and access to sunlight. This symbiotic relationship is a testament to the importance of the environment, and of all living beings' unique roles within it.