The development of new and more versatile access techniques is a major
contributor to the continuously growing field of canopy research. Methods
such as cranes, canopy walkways, hot-air balloons, ladders and rope access
techniques enabled scientist for the first time to conduct proximate studies of
canopy organisms. One of the most studied groups of canopy dwellers are
epiphytes. With their versatile adaptations to a life above ground level and
their vast abundance, epiphytes contribute profoundly to the forest diversity
and ecosystem processes. Most epiphytes have species-specific habitat
preference within individual phorophytes. However these preferences are
limited by biotic and abiotic factors. As a result epiphytes are threatened by
forest degradation and climate change. More research is necessary to assess
their importance within and between ecosystems and their role in direct and
indirect forest processes. Furthermore future research on epiphytic plants
needs to focus more on biotic interactions such as herbivory, pathogens and
competition