Inselbergs are isolated rock outcrops that rise abruptly above the surrounding plains. Granitic and gneissic inselbergs are geologically and geomorphologically old and occur throughout a broad spectrum of climatic zones. They form microclimatically and edaphically dry growth sites that support a highly specialized vegetation. Based on physiognomic criteria a number of habitat types can be distinguished that are widespread on inselbergs (e.g. ephemeral flush vegetation, monocotyledonous mats, rock pools). Three hot spots of global inselberg plant diversity can be identified which are both rich in species and endemics: a) southeastern Brazil, b) Madagascar and c) southwestern Australia.

/pdf/tropical-inselbergs-habitat-types-adaptive-strategies-and-2qy7xonm04.pdf

Tropical inselbergs: habitat types, adaptive strategies and diversity patterns

We studied the flora of vegetation islands on rock outcrops on the Itatiaia Plateau (22°21'S and 44°40'W), at 2,400 m.a.s.l. A total of 114 vascular plant species, which correspond to ca. 20%-25% of the currently inventoried flora of the plateau, were sampled in 197 small vegetation islands (total area of 0.034 ha). Xerophytes and hydrophytes were often found side by side due to environmental heterogeneity at a small scale, explaining in part the high species diversity. Rock outcrops may support floras quite distinct from those in neighbouring habitats, due to the action of strong environmental filters, but in Itatiaia the geographic distribution patterns among rupicolous plants appear to mimic those described for the whole flora around it, with 15.1% of narrow endemic species and six strictly rupicolous plants. Underlining the "temperate" nature of the high elevation climate in Itatiaia, the sampled flora was dominated by species of the families Asteraceae and Poaceae, and the number of CAM (crassulacean acid metabolism) species was very low. A few endemic species of tropical origin - Pleurostima gounelleana (Beauv.) Men. (Velloziaceae) and Fernseea itatiaiae (Wawra) Baker (Bromeliaceae) - play a crucial role in this vegetation, as pioneer mat-formers facilitating later establishment of numerous other species. Hemicryptophytes prevail in the sampled flora, while therophytes are exceptionally rare and mainly consist of opportunistic species associated with disturbances. Numerous microhabitats and strong environmental gradients in these high elevation rock outcrops afford opportunities for establishment of a highly diversified flora. These island-like environments may represent an important refuge for grassland species from fire and other disturbances in the surrounding grasslands.

/pdf/species-composition-and-biogeographic-relations-of-the-rock-10naju2lw8.pdf

Species composition and biogeographic relations of the rock outcrop flora on the high plateau of Itatiaia, SE-Brazil

The diversity and abundance of terrestrial, lithophytic cyanobacteria in tropical biomes and the variety of rock habitats which they occupy are discussed. The following results are presented in detail. Exposed rock surfaces on different continents and under different climatic conditions are occupied by a cosmopolitan, well-adapted, low-diversity microbial community dominated by cyanobacteria and cyanobacterial lichens. For inselbergs (isolated rock outcrops) in dry savanna, the ratio of rock covered by lichens to that covered by free cyanobacteria is approximately 5:3. In humid savannas this ratio is approximately 1:26, and in rainforests there are hardly any lichens on rocks. The primary production of epilithic communities, expressed as CO2 fixed calculated from chlorophyll a, can reach an annual 27 g m−2. When calculated for a hypothetical inselberg, production values for very dry thorn bush savanna, dry savanna and humid savanna are 1:3.2:4.2 on the basis of the entire inselberg, and 1:3.2:1.4 when cal...

Ecology and diversity of rock-inhabiting cyanobacteria in tropical regions

Rocky plateaus in the northern Western Ghats and Konkan region are specialized habitats belonging to the general habitat category of Rock Outcrops. Their distribution and classification is presented here, with details of microclimate and edaphic features. Microhabitats on the rocky plateaus have been described along with characteristic species assemblages and changes in them due to biotic pressure. Ecological assessment of representative sites show high species richness and diversity (H). A review of current knowledge about endemic flora and fauna on the rocky plateaus shows a large number of endemic species of flora and fauna, of which many are regionally assessed as threatened. Localized diversification within floral and faunal genera is common and indicates active speciation. Most localities except those within protected areas are affected by biotic pressures and there is no specific legal protection for their rich biodiversity. The paper suggests needs for future research on the habitat and recommends conservation and management actions based upon the ecology of the habitat.

Status review of Rocky plateaus in the northern Western Ghats and Konkan region of Maharashtra, India with recommendations for conservation and management

Aims
We investigated how outcrops of different geological origins enhance the plant megadiversity of the Atlantic rainforest hotspot.

Diversity and plant trait-soil relationships among rock outcrops in the Brazilian Atlantic rainforest

:

This study focuses on the saxicolous lichens and cyanobacteria of the open, exposed rock surface of inselbergs. Twenty-three species of cyanobacteria and 17 cyanobacterial lichen species (“cyanolichens”) from several inselbergs and other rocky outcrops of three major climatic regions, savanna, transition zone and rain forest, are reported from the Ivory Coast. Inselbergs are isolated and frequently mountains consisting of Precambrian granites or gneisses that abruptly rise from the surrounding plains. Cyanobacteria were found to be the dominating organisms on all rock surfaces. The lichens found mainly belong to the family Peltulaceae and a few were present from the family Lichinaceae. Nine species of the cyanolichens and most of the cyanobacteria are new for the Ivory Coast. A gradient in total species number (cyanolichens and cyanobacteria) occurs from the savanna to the rain forest, with a decrease in species number towards the rain forest. Saxicolous cyanobacterial lichens reached a higher species number in the savanna type ecosystem (11) than on inselbergs in the rain forest (7). The cyanolichens and cyanobacteria found are characteristic for larger, light-exposed rock surfaces and species like P. congregate, P. lingulata, P. tortuosa and P. umbilicata preferentially occur on the granite or sandstone of inselbergs.

Cyanobacteria and Cyanobacterial Lichens from Inselbergs of the Ivory Coast, Africa

Inselbergs are rounded rock outcrops, usually of Precambrian age, with sparse vegetation cover. The vegetation of inselbergs in Zimbabwe is described for the first time, based upon data sampled from 53 localities. Inselbergs support a range of habitats whose vegetation is described. Data on species richness and floristic composition of the inselberg flora (549 vascular plant, 25 bryophyte and 136 lichen species) are presented. Phytogeography and diversity of inselberg vegetation are discussed. First records for Zimbabwe are reported in lichens and vascular plants.

Vegetation of inselbergs in Zimbabwe

When seen from a distance, inselbergs seem to form homogeneous landscape features which mainly consist of large expanses of bare, dark colored rock (Fig. 4.1). However, a closer look reveals that they have to be considered as an ecosystem which comprises an unexpected amount of clearly distinguished vegetational habitat types representing “islands on islands” (Ornduff 1987). In the 19th century, the unusual appearance of inselbergs attracted the attention of famous naturalists, who provided the first descriptive accounts of their vegetation. Carl Friedrich Philipp von Martius (1842) and Alexander von Humboldt (1819) were amongst them. The latter discussed in detail the dark color of rocks in the Orinoco riverbed and of inselbergs in the same area. Humboldt assumed that the black color of the rocks was due to a sheath of manganese oxide and carbon. Today, however, we know that the occurrence of epi- and endolithic cyanobacteria is responsible for the dark coloration of these rocks. Among the first floristic studies concentrating on tropical inselbergs, one has to mention the work of Willis (1906) concerning vascular plants on Ceylonese rock outcrops. For a remarkably long period, the vegetation of inselbergs was simply denoted as lithophytic without any further differentiation, or it was described as “savanes-roche” due to a certain amount of physiognomic similarity with savanna vegetation (de Granville 1978).

Islands on Islands: Habitats on Inselbergs

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Cyanobacteria and Cyanobacterial Lichens from Inselbergs of the Ivory Coast, Africa

Vegetation of inselbergs in Zimbabwe

Islands on Islands: Habitats on Inselbergs