1 Introduction -- 2 Epiphyte taxonomy and Evolutionary trends -- 3 Biogeography � Latitudinal and Elevational trends -- 4 Functional Anatomy and Morphology -- 5 Physiological Ecology -- 6 Population Biology -- 7 Epiphyte Communities -- 8 Interactions with other organisms -- 9 The role of vascular epiphytes in the ecosystem -- 10 Epiphytes and Humans -- 11 Epilogue - The Epiphyte Syndrome.

This book critically reviews advances in our understanding of the biology of vascular epiphytes since Andreas Schimper�s 1888 seminal work. It addresses all aspects of their biology, from anatomy and physiology to ecology and evolution, in the context of general biological principles. By comparing epiphytes with non-epiphytes throughout, it offers a valuable resource for researchers who are not primarily interested in this plant group. A particular strength is the identification of research areas that have not received the attention they deserve, with conservation being a case in point. Scientists have tended to study pristine systems, but global developments call for information on epiphytes in human-disturbed systems and the response of epiphytes to global climate change.