This research investigates how the physiological responses of canopy-dwelling epiphytes to drought affect hydrological ecosystem services in southeastern maritime forests. Epiphytes, including Tillandsia usneoides (Spanish moss) and Pleopeltis polypodioides (resurrection fern), play key roles in water retention and evaporative cooling in forest canopies, contributing to local climate regulation. Through drought simulation experiments, I discovered that increased surface hydrophobicity under drought conditions reduces the ability of these plants to store water, potentially diminishing their contributions to canopy water retention.

Drought decreases water storage capacity of two arboreal epiphytes with differing ecohydrological traits
Althea FP Moore, Jalayna Antoine, Laura I Bedoya, Ann Medina, Clifton S Buck, John T Van Stan, Sybil G Gotsch. Science of The Total Environment 894, 164791