Obligate to facultative shift of two epiphytic Lepisorus species during subtropical forest degradation: Insights from functional traits

•Two Lepisorus species exhibit different epiphytic lifestyles in primary and degraded forests.•Trait plasticity and trait syndromes are linked with the distribution of epiphytic ferns.•There are resource use trade-offs for epiphytic ferns during forest degradation.•Epiphytic ferns are apt to seek out new optimal habitats in degraded forests.