Epiphytes are plants that germinate and root non-parasitically on other plants, mainly on tree trunks across the canopy. They are a conspicuous and integral component of tropical forest ecosystems in regard to local and regional plant diversity, especially in the Neotropics. Approximately 10% of all vascular plants in the world are epiphytes, which are distributed in 913 genera and 73 families. However, 85% of the more than 27,600 species recorded globally belong to only five taxonomic groups (Araceae, Bromeliaceae, Orchidaceae, Peperomia, Pteridophytes), of these almost 17,500 species have been recorded in the Neotropics. Vascular epiphytes fulfill diverse ecological functions in tropical ecosystems, such as the accumulation of water and nutrients, in addition to amplifying biodiversity by providing microhabitats and food to different taxa (e.g. invertebrates, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals among others). However, due to their dependence on host trees and atmospheric water sources, they are considered one of the most endangered groups of plants. Consequently, landscape fragmentation and forest degradation caused by anthropogenic disturbance are mayor threats, which may exacerbate the fact that a large percentage of vascular epiphytes have narrow distributions and heighten their extinction risk. The scope of this session will combine several aspects of epiphyte research, from theory and concepts, such as conceptualization, large-scale diversity patterns, and underlying mechanisms, to empirical research evaluating the effect of land-use change, knowledge gaps, to conservation-related research. The aim is for the talks to have an overall focus on what steps are needed to push the agenda in filling knowledge gaps and producing conservation-guided research. Therefore, we bring together established and young epiphyte ecologists to generate a discussion of the current knowledge and research perspectives on epiphytic plants in the Neotropics. This is necessary because efforts on epiphyte conservation will be more successful with a well-founded theoretical understanding of the diversity and dynamics of epiphyte assemblages.