季风常绿阔叶林不同恢复阶段藤本植物的物种多样性比较

藤本植物是森林生态系统的重要组成部分,影响群落的恢复与演替。通过对云南普洱地区不同恢复阶段(恢复15a、恢复30a和原始林群落)季风常绿阔叶林群落的野外调查,分析了不同恢复阶段藤本植物的物种丰富度、密度、多度、径级分布、多样性指数及攀援方式,并探讨藤本植物与支持木的关系。结果表明:在0.81hm²的调查样地中,共发现DBH≥0.1cm的藤本植物1292株(分属34科51属64种)。原始林群落的藤本物种丰富度、密度(DBH＜1cm)、胸高断面积和平均胸高断面积都显著高于恢复阶段,原始林和恢复15a群落的密度(DBH≥1cm)、平均胸径和平均长度之间无显著差异,但都显著高于恢复30a。3种群落类型中藤本植物的物种组成和径级分布有显著差异,原始林中藤本植物物种更多,而且大径级(DBH≥10cm)的藤本植物仅出现在原始林及恢复30a的群落。单株藤本攀援的支持木在3种群落类型中均占多数,藤本植物与支持木的胸径存在显著的正相关(P＜0.001),原始林群落中DBH≥15cm的支持木更易被攀援,而恢复阶段则相反。茎缠绕藤本植物对原始林的负面影响要显著少于恢复15a及30a群落,而卷须类藤本植物也反映出原始林正处于一个动态变化的阶段,同时根攀缘和搭靠类藤本植物物种组成和多度变化可以反映出干扰后季风常绿阔叶林的恢复程度。森林砍伐是影响不同恢复阶段藤本植物的物种组成和分布的主要因素。     

广西弄岗喀斯特季节性雨林藤本种子植物多样性及繁殖习性

藤本植物是森林生物多样性的重要组成部分,但在生物多样性丰富的喀斯特森林中,藤本植物的组成和繁殖物候等特征鲜为人知。为此,作者通过长期的调查监测,对弄岗喀斯特季节性雨林藤本种子植物的种类组成、物种分布、开花和结实时间以及种实类型进行了整理和分析。结果表明:该区藤本种子植物种类丰富,共有333种,隶属56科145属,其中藤状灌木119种,草质藤本88种,木质藤本126种。不同生活型的藤本在不同地貌部位的种数分布有所差异,草质藤本较多分布在洼地,藤状灌木和木质藤本较多分布在坡地。藤本种子植物的开花结实表现出一定的季节性,开花高峰期在4–9月,结实高峰期在7–12月,其中藤状灌木的季节性相对较弱。藤本种子植物的开花比率与降水量和气温呈极显著的正相关关系,每年雨季即为藤本种子植物的开花高峰期。结实高峰期比开花高峰期滞后约3个月,出现在雨季末期或雨季结束后。在木质藤本中,翅果比率与风速极显著正相关,与降水量和气温极显著负相关,说明了翅果型木质藤本趋于在高风速的干旱季节结实。总之,弄岗喀斯特季节性雨林藤本种子植物的多样性和繁殖特征与生境资源的时空变异相关联。     

广西弄岗五桠果叶木姜子群落结构特征与种群动态

1980年和2001年分别对弄岗国家级自然保护区的五桠果叶木姜子(Litsea dilleniifolia P.Y.Pai et P.H.Huang)群落进行了较为详细的调查和分析.结果表明,五桠果叶木姜子群落层次结构完整,植物种类丰富.2次调查结果显示,在600 m2的样方内共有维管植物50科86属102种,五桠果叶木姜子的重要值分别达到141.6和108.4,在主林层中的优势非常明显.种群大小级结构及其分布格局的分析结果表明,五桠果叶木姜子种群属介于稳定型和衰退型种群之间的成熟型种群,整个种群呈集群分布.在分析造成五桠果叶木姜子濒危原因的基础上,提出拯救和扩大其种群的基本途径.     

海南霸王岭山地原始林与伐后林中木质藤本对支持木的选择

通过对海南霸王岭热带山地原始林与伐后林中树木及其攀附木质藤本的调查,研究原始林与伐后林中木质藤本对支持木的选择性。结果表明:1)6科优势树木中附藤率最高的是野牡丹科(Melastomataceae),附藤率最低的科,原始林中是山矾科(Symplocaceae),伐后林中是茜草科(Rubiaceae)。2)原始林中,谷木(Memecylon ligustrifolium)与线枝蒲桃(Syzygiumaraiocladum)的附藤比率和每木藤本数均高于样地平均水平;三角瓣花(Prismatomeris tetrandra)和龟背灰木(Symplocosandenophylla)的附藤比率均低于样地平均水平,而每木藤本数与样地平均水平之间没有显著差异。伐后林中,谷木的附藤比率和每木藤本数高于样地平均水平;九节(Psychotria rubra)的附藤比率和每木藤本数低于样地平均水平。3)杜仲藤(Parabariummicranthum)的主要支持木是谷木,夜花藤(Hypserpa nitida)的主要支持木是线枝蒲桃。研究表明,木质藤本对支持木在科和种水平上都具有选择性,因此木质藤本会对树木造成不对称影响,进而影响森林的结构和动态。     

元江干热河谷木质藤本的多样性及其与宿主树木的关系

木质藤本是森林生态系统的重要组分。本研究在元江干热河谷地区随机设置了30个20 m×20 m的样方,调查样方中胸径≥0.5 cm的木质藤本多样性及其与宿主树木之间的关系。结果显示:30个样方中记录到胸径≥0.5 cm的木质藤本植物共945株(隶属于22种20属11科),其中,豆科木质藤本的丰富度和多度最高;胸径≤2 cm的木质藤本占个体总数的63.7%;茎缠绕类木质藤本的个体数最多。样方中胸径≥5 cm的树木共有1060株(隶属于38种31属16科),36.0%的树木上至少附藤1株。不同径级和不同树皮粗糙度的树木被木质藤本侵扰的百分比之间存在极显著差异(P0.001)。随着宿主树木平均枝下高的增加,附藤率呈下降趋势。76.5%的木质藤本选择离其根生长点最近的树木进行攀援。表明元江干热河谷中的木质藤本以小径级占优势,树木胸径、枝下高、树皮粗糙度和木质藤本根生长点到树木的距离是影响木质藤本侵扰树木的重要因素,支持木质藤本对宿主树木的侵扰具有选择性的假说。研究结果对中国西南干热河谷退化植被的恢复与物种多样性保护具有重要意义。     

亚热带不同纬度森林群落物种空间分布格局

为探讨我国亚热带森林群落中物种空间分布格局特点及其成因,揭示其共性规律和个性差异,为相关区域的生物多样性保护和监测工作提供科学依据。选取我国亚热带不同纬度的6个1 hm²典型森林群落中所有胸径（DBH,Diameter at Breast Height）≥ 1 cm的物种为研究对象;采用L （t）方程统计所有监测物种的空间分布格局类型,为满足L （t）方程的统计精度,将各群落中多度≥10株的植物以物种为单位统计,多度<10株的低多度物种和单个体物种则以种组为单位进行空间点格局分析;并对物种多度、胸径与空间聚集程度的度量指标L₁₀进行相关性分析。结果表明：（1）亚热带不同纬度群落中多度≥10株物种的空间分布格局表现出相似的尺度依赖性规律：显著聚集分布比例随尺度增大而降低,不同纬度群落的变化幅度存在差异,纬度较低的群落稳定性更强。（2）各群落中低多度种组空间分布格局表现出小尺度显著聚集分布,大尺度随机分布的尺度效应,但尺度效应在不同纬度群落间存在差异;各群落的单个体种组空间分布格局均以随机分布为主。（3）不同纬度群落物种多度与空间聚集程度之间均存在负相关关系,物种多度对空间聚集程度的影响随纬度从高到低逐渐减弱。（4）较高纬度群落物种胸径与空间聚集程度之间存在负相关关系;随纬度从高到低,物种胸径对空间聚集程度影响水平逐渐降低。对亚热带不同纬度森林群落物种空间分布格局形成原因的进一步探讨,认为由纬度差异引起的生境异质性是影响群落物种空间分布格局产生过程的主要因素,此外,林型、扩散限制、密度制约和随机作用是影响各群落物种空间格局成因及多样性维持的次要因素。     

海南岛霸王岭热带山地雨林木质藤本垂直结构特征

木质藤本植物是热带森林结构和功能的重要组分,但对于其垂直分布的研究较少。通过对海南岛霸王岭热带山地雨林坡地8条样带内胸径≥0.5cm的攀援木质藤本进行调查,比较分析了其多度、物种丰富度、径级结构、攀援方式组成、物种组成的垂直结构特征。结果表明:(1)随着高度级增加,木质藤本多度和物种丰富度都呈现出一种先增加后降低的单峰型曲线变化规律。(2)随着高度级增加,木质藤本个体趋于分布在更大径级。在森林底层(05m)和林冠层(≥15m)分别以0.51cm和≥2cm径级的木质藤本占优。(3)不同高度级间,不同攀援方式木质藤本个体比例存在显著差异。主茎缠绕类木质藤本在各高度级都占优势,卷须类木质藤本个体比例随高度增加显著降低,根攀类木质藤本呈现相反趋势。(4)随着高度级增加,木质藤本物种优势度明显发生变化。总体来看,木质藤本呈现出一种复杂、有序的垂直结构,这可能决定其对森林动态的影响。     

河南木札岭温带落叶阔叶林群落特征及主要乔木空间分布格局

以木札岭世界地质公园3 hm²的温带落叶阔叶林为研究对象, 分析了群落的物种组成、胸径结构、群落分类和主要物种的空间分布格局。结果显示: 样地内共有木本植物31科52属85种, 以蔷薇科、桦木科、卫矛科、忍冬科、杨柳科和槭树科为主, 锐齿槲栎(Quercus aliena var. acuteserrata)和华山松(Pinus armandii)为群落内优势种, 稀有种和偶见种分别占总物种数的20.0%和28.24%。物种径级分布遵从典型的倒“J”型, 植物群落更新状况良好。多元回归树经过交叉验证认为可将该样地划分为4个群落类型: 1)锐齿槲栎+华山松+秦岭木姜子(Litsea tsinlingensis) +微毛樱桃(Cerasus clarofolia) +三桠乌药(Lindera obtusiloba)群落; 2)锐齿槲栎+腺柳(Salix chaenomeloides) +湖北花楸(Sorbus hupehensis)群落; 3)锐齿槲栎+臭椿(Ailanthus altissima) +微毛樱桃+秦岭木姜子群落; 4)锐齿槲栎+白蜡(Fraxinus chinensis) +秦岭木姜子+山梅花(Philadelphus incanus)群落。在完全随机分布模型下, 样地中主要物种在整个研究尺度中全部呈聚集分布, 并且这些物种主要聚集分布在不同的生境中, 具有明显的地形生境偏好;在异质性泊松分布模型下, 这些物种在不同尺度上主要呈随机分布或规则分布。该研究结果表明地形生境异质性是影响木札岭样地物种空间分布的重要因素。通过该研究可增加对木札岭世界地质公园植物组成、群落结构和群落分布的认识, 同时可为该区域生物多样性保护和森林管理提供参考。     

喀斯特森林常见树种倒木分解对土壤真菌群落组成及分布规律的影响

倒木是森林生态系统的重要组分,其分解调控着土壤的养分循环,同时也影响着土壤微生物群落结构。但目前鲜见关于倒木分解对土壤微生物群落影响方面的报道。选取贵州茂兰喀斯特常绿落叶阔叶混交林中处于轻、中和重度腐烂等级的狭叶润楠（Machilus rehderi）、枫香（Liquidambar formosana）、青冈栎（Cyclobalanopsis glauca）和圆果化香（Platycarya longipes）4种常见树种倒木为研究对象,以距倒木外围的3个不同水平距离（10cm、30cm和50cm）的土壤样品为实验材料,分析倒木树种、腐烂等级和距离对土壤真菌种类及多样性的影响。结果表明：1）喀斯特森林4种树种倒木所影响土壤真菌群落在门级分类上主要为子囊菌门、担子菌门和毛霉门,优势属有Mortierella spp.、Phlebia spp.、Pluteus spp.和Chaetomium spp.等;2）倒木的树种对土壤真菌群落相对丰度的影响有差异,圆果化香倒木下的土壤真菌丰富度Chao1指数显著高于青冈栎;3）随腐烂程度加深,4种树种倒木下的土壤真菌群落多样性呈显著增加趋势;4）土壤真菌群落丰度随着距倒木距离的增大（10-50cm）变化明显,如狭叶润楠影响的Pluteus spp.、Mortierella spp.和Ganoderma spp.,枫香的Chaetomium spp.,圆果化香的Mortierella spp.和青冈栎的Phlebia spp.和Oliveonia spp.等。本研究量化了喀斯特森林倒木所影响的土壤真菌群落组成及分布规律,在一定程度上为倒木分解与土壤微生物群落之间的作用机制的深入探索提供了科学依据。     

茂兰喀斯特森林梓叶槭种群结构与数量动态

梓叶槭是中国特有的珍稀濒危树种,国家二级保护植物,为了明确梓叶槭种群的结构特征及其种群生存现状,该研究在黔、桂交界处的茂兰国家级喀斯特森林自然保护区选取典型森林群落,应用每木调查法从梓叶槭高度（H）、径级结构、静态生命表、存活曲线和寿命期望等方面分析梓叶槭种群结构及其数量动态规律,为退化喀斯特森林生态系统的恢复重建提供理论依据。结果表明：（1）茂兰喀斯特森林中梓叶槭在群落中的重要值较低 ［槽谷(0.255),漏斗(0.243),坡地(0.188）］为非优势种。（2）梓叶槭种群主要分布在槽谷森林、漏斗森林和坡地森林等3种不同地形部位的群落类型中,在槽谷森林中分布数量最多,其次是漏斗森林,坡地森林中长势较差且数量最少。（3）梓叶槭在不同生境均严重缺乏Ⅰ径级 ［胸径（DBH） < 2.5 cm,H < 33 cm］ 个体,但Ⅱ径级（DBH < 2.5 cm,H = 33 cm）个体占较大的比例,中、大径个体较少,表现为稳定型种群。（4）不同生境梓叶槭种群存活数（除Ⅰ径级）随着径级增加而降低,死亡率（q_x）和致死力（K_x）曲线大致呈上升趋势,生命期望单调下降,且Ⅰ径级在不同生境的死亡率均为负数,说明其幼苗严重不足,存活曲线趋于DeeveyⅡ型。研究认为,茂兰喀斯特森林中梓叶槭种群幼苗在发育过程中死亡率较高,而且受到的种间竞争较为激烈,加之茂兰喀斯特生境的严酷性和土壤营养空间缺乏,造成梓叶槭生长速度缓慢,故梓叶槭种群的衰退与严酷的喀斯特生境、人为干扰有关。     

How the diversity,abundance, size and climbing mechanisms of woody lianas are related to biotic and abiotic factors in a subtropical secondary forest,Taiwan

Lianas are woody vines that play an important role in forest dynamics in tropical and subtropical areas. Their relationship to various biotic and abiotic conditions is, however, not yet wholly clear. We explored how the size, climbing mechanisms, diversity and abundance of woody lianas is related to host plant size, environmental factors and topography. Liana assemblages were examined in twenty 20 × 20 m plots in each of three topographic sites (valley, slope and ridge) in a subtropical secondary forest in southeastern Taiwan. The valley site had the highest abundance and species richness of lianas. The abiotic factors, soil pH and rock cover, were related to different topographic sites. Larger lianas were always found on larger host trees, while smaller lianas were found in smaller trees; no lianas with a DBH greater than 10 cm were found. Significantly more adhesive lianas were found on larger trees whereas twining and leaning-hook lianas were found in smaller trees. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that the species of liana is associated with the size and type of tree growing under different topographic conditions.     

Rapid Liana Colonization along a Secondary Forest Chronosequence

Lianas (woody vines) can have profound effects on tree recruitment, growth, survival, and diversity in tropical forests. However, the dynamics of liana colonization soon after land abandonment are poorly understood, and thus it is unknown whether lianas alter tree regeneration early in succession. We examined the liana community in 43 forests that ranged from 1 to 31 yr old in central Panama to determine how fast lianas colonize young forests and how the liana community changes with forest succession. We found that lianas reached high densities early in succession, commonly exceeding 1000 stems/ha within the first 5 yr of forest regeneration. Lianas also increased rapidly during early succession in terms of basal area but did not show evidence of saturation within the 30 yr of our chronosequence. The relative contribution of lianas to total woody plant community in terms of basal area and density increased rapidly and reached a saturation point within 5 yr (basal area) to 15 yr (density) after land abandonment. Our data demonstrate that lianas recruit early and in high density in tropical forest regeneration, and thus lianas may have a large effect on the way in which secondary forests develop both early and throughout succession.     

Liana habitat associations and community structure in a Bornean lowland tropical forest

Lianas (woody vines) contribute substantially to the diversity and structure of most tropical forests, yet little is known about the importance of habitat specialization in maintaining tropical liana diversity and the causes of variation among forests in liana abundance and species composition. We examined habitat associations, species diversity, species composition, and community structure of lianas at Sepilok Forest Reserve, Sabah, Malaysia in northeastern Borneo among three soil types that give rise to three distinct forest types of lowland tropical rain forest: alluvial, sandstone hill, and kerangas (heath) forest. Alluvial soils are more nutrient rich and have higher soil moisture than sandstone soils, whereas kerangas soils are the most nutrient poor and drought prone. Lianas ≥0.5-cm in diameter were measured, tagged, and identified to species in three square 0.25-ha plots in each forest type. The number of lianas ≥0.5 cm did not differ significantly among forest types and averaged 1348 lianas ha⁻¹, but mean liana stem diameter, basal area, estimated biomass, species richness, and Fisher’s diversity index were all greater for plots in alluvial than sandstone or kerangas forests. Liana species composition also differed greatly among the three habitats, with 71% of species showing significant positive or negative habitat associations. Sandstone forests were intermediate to alluvial and kerangas forests in most aspects of liana community structure and composition, and fewer species showed significant habitat associations with this forest type. Ranking of forest types with respect to liana density, biomass, and diversity matches the ranking in soil fertility and water availability (alluvial > sandstone hill > kerangas). These results suggest that edaphic factors play an important role in maintaining liana species diversity and structuring liana communities.     

Community and ecosystem ramifications of increasing lianas in neotropical forests

Lianas (woody vines) are increasing in neotropical forests, representing one of the first large-scale structural changes documented for these important ecosystems. The potential ramifications of increasing lianas are huge, as lianas alter both tropical forest diversity and ecosystem functioning. At the community level, lianas affect tree species co-existence and diversity by competing more intensely with some tree species than others, and thus will likely alter tree species composition. At the ecosystem level, lianas affect forest carbon and nutrient storage and fluxes. A decrease in forest carbon storage and sequestration may be the most important ramification of liana increases. Lianas reduce tree growth and increase tree mortality—thus reducing forest-level carbon storage. The increase in lianas, which have much less wood than trees, compensates only partially for the amount of carbon lost in the displaced trees. Because tropical forests contribute approximately one-third of global terrestrial carbon stocks and net primary productivity, the effect of increasing lianas for tropical forest carbon cycles may have serious repercussions at the global scale.Key words: carbon cycle, CO₂, disturbance, global change, land use change, liana increases, structural changes, tropical forestsTropical forests contain most of the earth''s plant species and contribute more to carbon storage in the form of above ground biomass than any other terrestrial ecosystem. Temperate and boreal forests are changing rapidly in response to global anthropogenic drivers. Similar large-scale changes are now being detected in tropical forests. One of the largest contemporary changes in tropical forests is an increase in lianas (woody vines),¹ which could have serious consequences for tree species diversity and composition, as well as the reducing capacity of tropical forests to store carbon.^1–3     

Liana Abundance,Diversity, and Distribution on Barro Colorado Island,Panama

Lianas are a key component of tropical forests; however, most surveys are too small to accurately quantify liana community composition, diversity, abundance, and spatial distribution – critical components for measuring the contribution of lianas to forest processes. In 2007, we tagged, mapped, measured the diameter, and identified all lianas ≥1 cm rooted in a 50-ha plot on Barro Colorado Island, Panama (BCI). We calculated liana density, basal area, and species richness for both independently rooted lianas and all rooted liana stems (genets plus clones). We compared spatial aggregation patterns of liana and tree species, and among liana species that varied in the amount of clonal reproduction. We also tested whether liana and tree densities have increased on BCI compared to surveys conducted 30-years earlier. This study represents the most comprehensive spatially contiguous sampling of lianas ever conducted and, over the 50 ha area, we found 67,447 rooted liana stems comprising 162 species. Rooted lianas composed nearly 25% of the woody stems (trees and lianas), 35% of woody species richness, and 3% of woody basal area. Lianas were spatially aggregated within the 50-ha plot and the liana species with the highest proportion of clonal stems more spatially aggregated than the least clonal species, possibly indicating clonal stem recruitment following canopy disturbance. Over the past 30 years, liana density increased by 75% for stems ≥1 cm diameter and nearly 140% for stems ≥5 cm diameter, while tree density on BCI decreased 11.5%; a finding consistent with other neotropical forests. Our data confirm that lianas contribute substantially to tropical forest stem density and diversity, they have highly clumped distributions that appear to be driven by clonal stem recruitment into treefall gaps, and they are increasing relative to trees, thus indicating that lianas will play a greater role in the future dynamics of BCI and other neotropical forests.     

A survey of vessel dimensions in stems of tropical lianas and other growth forms

Summary Vessel dimensions (total diameter and length) were determined in tropical and subtropical plants of different growth forms with an emphasis upon lianas (woody vines). The paint infusion and compressed air methods were used on 38 species from 26 genera and 16 families in the most extensive survey of vessel length made to date. Within most stems there was a skewed frequency distribution of vessel lengths and diameter, with many short and narrow vessels and few long and wide ones. The longest vessel found (7.73 m) was in a stem of the liana (woody vine) Pithecoctenium crucigerum. Mean vessel length for 33 species of lianas was 0.38 m, average maximum length was 1.45 m. There was a statistically significant inter-species correlation between maximum vessel length and maximum vessel diameter. Among liana stems and among tree+shrub stems there were statistically significant correlations between stem xylem diameter and vessel dimensions. Lianas with different adaptations for climbing (tendril climbers, twiners, scramblers) were similar in their vessel dimensions except that scramblers tended to have shorter (but not narrower) vessels. Within one genus, Bauhinia, tendril climbing species had greater maximum vessel lengths and diameters than tree and shrub species. The few long and wide vessels of lianas are thought to hydraulically compensate for their narrow stem diameters. The many narrow and short vessels, which are present in the same liana stems, may provide a high resistance auxiliary transport system.     

滇南勐宋热带山地雨林木质藤本多样性研究

调查滇南勐宋山地雨林沟谷与坡地两种生境中木质藤本种的丰富度、径级分布、攀缘方式以及样地中被藤本缠绕的树木(dbh≥5cm)的数量和比率。结果表明:沟谷与坡地胸径≥1cm的木质藤本平均密度分别为95.7株/0.1hm2、57株/0.1hm2。调查样地内木质藤本共64种,隶属30个科。茎缠绕是最主要的攀缘方式,占总个体数的57%,卷须缠绕种所占比重最小,仅占3%;沟谷与坡地所调查树木被木质藤本缠绕的比例分别为43.7%和28.6%。与亚洲其它热带地区森林相比,勐宋地区藤本的多样性低,但是木质藤本的密度相当高,并且在一些样地中出现了大型木质藤本,这些可能与该地区森林的演替状态有关。     

Are lianas more drought-tolerant than trees? A test for the role of hydraulic architecture and other stem and leaf traits

Lianas are an important component of Neotropical forests, where evidence suggests that they are increasing in abundance and biomass. Lianas are especially abundant in seasonally dry tropical forests, and as such it has been hypothesized that they are better adapted to drought, or that they are at an advantage under the higher light conditions in these forests. However, the physiological and morphological characteristics that allow lianas to capitalize more on seasonal forest conditions compared to trees are poorly understood. Here, we evaluate how saplings of 21 tree and liana species from a seasonal tropical forest in Panama differ in cavitation resistance (P ₅₀) and maximum hydraulic conductivity (K _h), and how saplings of 24 tree and liana species differ in four photosynthetic leaf traits (e.g., maximum assimilation and stomatal conductance) and six morphological leaf and stem traits (e.g., wood density, maximum vessel length, and specific leaf area). At the sapling stage, lianas had a lower cavitation resistance than trees, implying lower drought tolerance, and they tended to have a higher potential hydraulic conductivity. In contrast to studies focusing on adult trees and lianas, we found no clear differences in morphological and photosynthetic traits between the life forms. Possibly, lianas and trees are functionally different at later ontogenetic stages, with lianas having deeper root systems than trees, or experience their main growth advantage during wet periods, when they are less vulnerable to cavitation and can achieve high conductivity. This study shows, however, that the hydraulic characteristics and functional traits that we examined do not explain differences in liana and tree distributions in seasonal forests.     

Short and Long-Term Soil Moisture Effects of Liana Removal in a Seasonally Moist Tropical Forest

Lianas (woody vines) are particularly abundant in tropical forests, and their abundance is increasing in the neotropics. Lianas can compete intensely with trees for above- and belowground resources, including water. As tropical forests experience longer and more intense dry seasons, competition for water is likely to intensify. However, we lack an understanding of how liana abundance affects soil moisture and hence competition with trees for water in tropical forests. To address this critical knowledge gap, we conducted a large-scale liana removal experiment in a seasonal tropical moist forest in central Panama. We monitored shallow and deep soil moisture over the course of three years to assess the effects of lianas in eight 0.64 ha removal plots and eight control plots. Liana removal caused short-term effects in surface soils. Surface soils (10 cm depth) in removal plots dried more slowly during dry periods and accumulated water more slowly after rainfall events. These effects disappeared within four months of the removal treatment. In deeper soils (40 cm depth), liana removal resulted in a multi-year trend towards 5–25% higher soil moisture during the dry seasons with the largest significant effects occurring in the dry season of the third year following treatment. Liana removal did not affect surface soil temperature. Multiple and mutually occurring mechanisms may be responsible for the effects of liana removal on soil moisture, including competition with trees, and altered microclimate, and soil structure. These results indicate that lianas influence hydrologic processes, which may affect tree community dynamics and forest carbon cycling.