Above- and below-ground competition between the liana <Emphasis Type="Italic">Acacia kamerunensis</Emphasis> and tree seedlings in contrasting light environments

Proliferation of lianas in canopy gaps can restrict tree regeneration in tropical forests through competition. Liana effects may differ between tree species, depending on tree requirements for above- and below-ground resources. We conducted an experiment in a shade house over 12 months to test the effect of light (7 and 27% external irradiance) on the competitive interactions between seedlings of one liana species and three tree species and the contribution of both above- and below-ground competition. Seedlings of the liana Acacia kamerunensis were grown with tree seedlings differing in shade tolerance: Nauclea diderrichii (Pioneer), Khaya anthotheca (Non-Pioneer Light Demander) and Garcinia afzelii (Non-Pioneer Shade Bearer). Trees were grown in four competition treatments with the liana: no competition, root competition, shoot competition and root and shoot competition. Both root and root–shoot competition significantly reduced relative growth rates in all three tree species. After one year, root–shoot competition reduced growth in biomass to 58% of those (all species) grown in no competition. The root competition treatment had a more important contribution in the effect of the liana on tree growth. Tree seedlings did not respond to competition with the liana by altering their patterns of biomass allocation. Although irradiance had a great effect on tree growth and allocation of biomass, the interaction between competition treatments and irradiance was not significant. Nauclea diderrichii, the tree species which responded most to the effects of competition, showed signs of being pot-bound, the stress of which may have augmented the competition effects. The understanding of the interaction of above- and below-ground competition between lianas and trees and its moderation by the light environment is important for a proper appreciation of the influence of lianas on tropical forest regeneration.     

Thirteen years of change in trees and lianas in a Gabonese rainforest

Inventories of trees and lianas were performed at a 13-year interval (1979–1992) in an evergreen forest in north-east Gabon. The number of trees decreased while their basal area and species richness increased. In contrast, both the richness and density of lianas decreased. Lianas with active climbing mechanisms were the main types to disappear.     

鸡公山风景区针阔混交林藤本植物在树干不同方位的依附规律北大核心CSCD

为了揭示森林藤本植物在树干表面的分布规律,在鸡公山风景区的枫香(Liquidambar formosana)-马尾松(Pinus massoniana)针阔混交林内,采用样方法和定量调查法分析了以气生根为攀缘策略的络石(Trachelospermum divaricatum)在枫香和马尾松树干表面不同方位分布的数量差异。结果表明,络石在枫香和马尾松树干不同方位的分布状况因树高而异。在枫香树干基径(5 cm)处,西北方位附着的络石数量(6.6 ind./tree)显著高于东北方位(4.6 ind./tree)和东南方位(4.3 ind./tree);在胸径(130 cm)处,西南和东南方位附着的络石数量则显著高于西北方位;络石在基径和胸径处的死亡率均表现为南侧低,北侧高。在马尾松基径处,西北方位的络石具有最高的死亡率(35.1%),导致存活数量最少(4.6 ind./tree);胸径处则东南方位络石最多;并且南侧的络石死亡率低于北侧。因此,络石在攀缘林木不同方位的分布存在显著差异,且与树干高度和林木胸径密切相关,这是树干微环境和藤本植物自身生理特征共同作用的结果。     

异军突起的藤本植物

对藤本植物(以热带为主)研究的动态与发展进行了综述,其中包括:(1)藤本植物的概念及重要性;(2)藤本植物区系和分布;(3)藤本植物的生物学特性;(4)藤本植物的生态学特性;(5)藤本在森林中的多度(密度)及种的丰富度;(6)藤本在空地上聚生的生态意义以及它们在森林演进过程中的消长;(7)藤本与树木的相互关系;(8)藤本对森林正面和负面的影响;(9)藤本的攀援方式类别及其竞争优势;(10)全球气候变化(CO₂浓度增高)促进藤本优势度增长并导致不良的生态后果。     

贵州梵净山国家级自然保护区藤本植物的研究——附梵净山藤本植物名录

研究了贵州梵净山国家级自然保护区藤本植物的区系及生态特性。结果表明：（1）本区计有藤本植物45科,89属,253种（含种下分类群）。（2）本区藤本植物区系起源古老而复杂,藤本区系本源广泛。其中藤本种的分布区有18个类型或亚型,热带区系成分占明显优势,为55．96％,温带区系成分占42．21％;特有分布类型占1．83％。（3）本区多年生藤本和木质藤本占绝对优势,分别占98．42％（一年生占1．58％）和78．05％（草质占20．95％）;常绿藤本占优势,为59．44％,落叶藤本占37．75％,同时也有半常绿藤本,占2．81％。（4）本区藤本植物的分布与植被类型、土壤、海拔高度、湿度、温度等环境条件密切相关;本区不同的森林类型中藤本植物的种类也不同,其藤本植物种类随海拔升高而减少,低山林带、中山林带和高山林带分布着不同的藤本植物。（5）初步编制了附生境的“梵净山藤本植物名录。     

Nutritional differences and leaf acclimation of climbing plants and the associated vegetation in different types of an Andean montane rainforest

Climbing plants are known to play an important role in tropical forest systems, but key features for their distribution are only partly understood. Investigation was carried out to find if climbers differ from self-supporting vegetation in their adjustment of leaf parameters over a wide variety of light regimes in different forest types along an altitudinal gradient. Relative photon flux density (PFD_rel) was assessed above 75 pairs of strictly linked climbers and supporting vegetation on seven plots between 2,020 and 2,700 m a.s.l. along a mountain range in South-Ecuador up to the Páramo vegetation. Leaf samples from both growth forms were analyzed for leaf area (LA), specific leaf mass (LMA), mass and area-based carbon and nitrogen concentration (C, C_area, N, and N_area) and concentrations of P, K, Ca, Mg, Mn and Al. Leaf size of climbers was independent of general light condition, whereas the leaf size of the self-supporting vegetation increased in shade. LMA increased as expected with altitude and irradiance for both growth forms, but climbers generally built smaller leaves with lower LMA. N, P, and K concentrations were higher in the leaves of climbers than in their supporters. Relationships of LMA and N_area to the light conditions were more pronounced within the climbers than within their supporters. Slope for the regression between climber’s N_area and LMA was twice as steep as for the supporter leaves. Al accumulators were only found within the self-supporting vegetation. The investigated traits indicate improved adjustment towards light supply within climbers compared to self-supporting vegetation. Thus climbing plants seem to have a higher potential trade off in resource-use efficiency regarding irradiance and nutrients.     

异军突起的藤本植物

对藤本植物(以热带为主)研究的动态与发展进行了综述,其中包括:(1)藤本植物的概念及重要性;(2)藤本植物区系和分布;(3)藤本植物的生物学特性;(4)藤本植物的生态学特性;(5)藤本在森林中的多度(密度)及种的丰富度;(6)藤本在空地上聚生的生态意义以及它们在森林演进过程中的消长;(7)藤本与树木的相互关系;(8)藤本对森林正面和负面的影响;(9)藤本的攀援方式类别及其竞争优势;(10)全球气候变化(CO2浓度增高)促进藤本优势度增长并导致不良的生态后果。     

华南地区8种藤本植物叶绿素荧光特性对模拟二氧化硫污染的响应

研究了模拟SO2处理对8种华南地区常见盆栽藤本植物离体叶片的叶绿素荧光参数、快速光强响应曲线(RLC)、叶片总抗氧化能力(清除有机自由基1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl 水平)和叶片色素含量的影响.结果表明,经过10 h的20 mmol/L NaHSO3浸泡,8种藤本植物离体叶片的Fv/Fm,φPSII,rETR,rETRmax和RLC初始斜率α与对照(纯净水浸泡)相比有明显下降.8种供试植物的叶片总抗氧化能力和叶片色素含量的变化存在种间差异.8种藤本植物中龙吐珠(Clerodendron thomsonae)、锦屏藤(Cissus sicyoides)和禾雀花(Mucuna birdwoodiana)是对模拟SO2抗性较强的绿化藤本植物,抗性较差的是首冠藤(Bauhinia corymbosa)、红花西番莲(Passiflora coccinea)和宝巾(Bougainvillea glabra).     

Root Pressure of Tropical Lianas and Their Relationships with Phylogeny and Environments

Lianas usually possess large vessels, which are vulnerable to cavitation. Root pressure may play an important role in embolism repair of vessels. However, little is known about the generality of root pressure in tropical lianas. To characterize root pressure of lianas in tropical rainforests, we used pressure transducers to measure root pressure in the rainy and dry seasons for a total of 32 lianas from 14 families common in Xishuangbanna. We further analyzed the associations of maximum root pressure with phylogeny and of transient root pressure with environmental factors. We found that all lianas we selected had root pressure, with maximum root pressure ranging from 2-138kPa. In the dry season, about 72% (23 species) of the lianas had relatively low root pressure (<15kPa) and maintained positive throughout the day. This may be important for water balance for roots and basal stems of lianas. There were three types of diurnal changes in liana root pressure. In Type I, root pressure had obvious diurnal variation in the dry and rainy seasons. In Type II, root pressure did not show obvious diurnal variation in the dry and rainy seasons. In Type III, either in the dry or in the rainy season, root pressure showed obvious diurnal variation. Root pressure varied substantially among lianas, with lianas from two families, Fabaceae and Vitaceae, usually having relatively higher root pressure, suggesting that phylogeny may influence root pressure. Transient root pressure closely responded to photosynthetically active radiation. In most cases, however, it was not related to rainfall and vapour pressure deficit. These results suggest that the associations of liana root pressure with environments need further investigation.     

Ontogenetic development in architecture and biomass allocation of 13 rattan species in Indonesia

Rattans are climbing, nonbranching palms with diverse growth forms ranging from stems that remain at the forest floor to stems that reach the canopy. We analyzed changes in architecture and biomass allocation during ontogenetic development of 13 Indonesian species in the genera Calamus, Ceratolobus, Daemonorops, Korthalsia, and Plectocomiopsis. Species included both nonclimbers (<5 m tall maximum) and climbers (10 to 50 m tall). Nonclimbers retain a rosette form—that is, thick, short internodes with length/internode diameter ratio <10 but with long petioles—throughout their lives. Leaf and internode shapes of climbers at the early stage resemble those of nonclimbers, but internodes later become longer (internode length/diameter ratio ≥10) and petioles become shorter and developed one of two kinds of climbing organs at the adult stage. These developmental changes reduce self-shading within the crown. Some climbers have dwarf blades at the early stage and skip the rosette form. Principal component analysis of biomass allocation indicated that growth strategies to attain the adult stage are diverse. These results suggest that rattans reach maturity at different phases along a series of ontogenetic development stages and generate diverse growth forms. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

首冠藤的生态生物学特征

通过样地调查,对首冠藤(Bauhinia corymbosa)的生态生物学特征进行研究.结果表明,首冠藤是阳生性藤本植物,主要分布于热带亚热带地区光照较好的山坡、疏林边缘或村旁;耐贫瘠,适宜生长的土壤为红壤和赤红壤.其平均光合速率为3.306 μmolm~(-2)s~(-1),气孔导度为0.25 molm~(-1)s~(-1),蒸腾速率为4.10 mmolm~(-2)s~(-1).首冠藤对营养元素的利用率较高,植株体内N、P、K、Ca、Na、Mg加权平均养分含量分别为1.11%、0.09%、0.56%、0.86%、0.21%、0.06%,其中叶片N含量最高,枝Na含量最高,根部P和Mg含量最高.首冠藤的生态生物学特征有利于其快速生长、攀附和适应环境.     

浙江天童常绿阔叶林香港黄檀的生态适应特征和行为

通过对芽的类型和活动、攀援茎的形态、径级分布和格局、攀援能力和立体结构及其与支持木关系的测定分析,探讨了香港黄檀的生态适应特征和行为。结果如下：①芽按活动时间分为春芽和夏芽;两类芽均可形成长枝(攀援枝)或短枝,但在活动持续时间和抽生攀援的长度方面存在明显差异;林内不定芽(主要为春芽)的活动和适应生长是老藤更新的重要途径。②攀援枝的节数和节间长度分别为短枝的7倍和6．5倍,而且易受光照等条件的影响;林缘攀援枝的分枝率是林内的5倍。③径级分布反映出种群随群落演替而老化,香港黄檀属群落早期藤本。互对支持木种类表现出一定的选择性,马尾松是其中被攀援最多的支持木,这主要与香港黄檀的生理、生长要求和马尾松枝型特点等有较大的关系。⑤具有较强的攀援能力,单株在群落中平均可攀援乔木层大树j株,最多可达15株,水平扩展面积平均为54m^2,最大可达260m^2;藤本通过攀援与支持木形成的空间结构,构成群落的特殊层片,其群落学意义值得进一步研究。     

Seasonal differences in leaf-level physiology give lianas a competitive advantage over trees in a tropical seasonal forest

Lianas are an important component of most tropical forests, where they vary in abundance from high in seasonal forests to low in aseasonal forests. We tested the hypothesis that the physiological ability of lianas to fix carbon (and thus grow) during seasonal drought may confer a distinct advantage in seasonal tropical forests, which may explain pan-tropical liana distributions. We compared a range of leaf-level physiological attributes of 18 co-occurring liana and 16 tree species during the wet and dry seasons in a tropical seasonal forest in Xishuangbanna, China. We found that, during the wet season, lianas had significantly higher CO₂ assimilation per unit mass (A _mass), nitrogen concentration (N _mass), and δ¹³C values, and lower leaf mass per unit area (LMA) than trees, indicating that lianas have higher assimilation rates per unit leaf mass and higher integrated water-use efficiency (WUE), but lower leaf structural investments. Seasonal variation in CO₂ assimilation per unit area (A _area), phosphorus concentration per unit mass (P _mass), and photosynthetic N-use efficiency (PNUE), however, was significantly lower in lianas than in trees. For instance, mean tree A _area decreased by 30.1% from wet to dry season, compared with only 12.8% for lianas. In contrast, from the wet to dry season mean liana δ¹³C increased four times more than tree δ¹³C, with no reduction in PNUE, whereas trees had a significant reduction in PNUE. Lianas had higher A _mass than trees throughout the year, regardless of season. Collectively, our findings indicate that lianas fix more carbon and use water and nitrogen more efficiently than trees, particularly during seasonal drought, which may confer a competitive advantage to lianas during the dry season, and thus may explain their high relative abundance in seasonal tropical forests.     

The effect of altitude,patch size and disturbance on species richness and density of lianas in montane forest patches

The species richness and density of lianas (woody vines) in tropical forests is determined by various abiotic and biotic factors. Factors such as altitude, forest patch size and the degree of forest disturbance are known to exert strong influences on liana species richness and density. We investigated how liana species richness and density were concurrently influenced by altitude (1700–2360 m), forest patch size, forest patch location (edge or interior) and disturbance intensity in the tropical montane evergreen forests, of the Nilgiri and Palni hills, Western Ghats, southern India. All woody lianas (≥1 cm dbh) were enumerated in plots of 30 × 30 m in small, medium and large forest patches, which were located along an altitudinal gradient ranging from 1700 to 2360 m. A total of 1980 individual lianas were recorded, belonging to 45 species, 32 genera and 21 families, from a total sampling area of 13.86 ha (across 154 plots). Liana species richness and density decreased significantly with increasing altitude and increased with increasing forest patch size. Within forest patches, the proportion of forest edge or interior habitat influenced liana distribution and succession especially when compared across the patch size categories. Liana species richness and density also varied along the altitudinal gradient when examined using eco-physiological guilds (i.e. shade tolerance, dispersal mode and climbing mechanism). The species richness and density of lianas within these ecological guilds responded negatively to increasing altitude and positively to increasing patch size and additionally displayed differing sensitivities to forest disturbance. Importantly, the degree of forest disturbance significantly altered the relationship between liana species richness and density to increasing altitude and patches size, and as such is likely the primary influence on liana response to montane forest succession. Our findings suggest that managing forest disturbance in the examined montane forests would assist in conserving local liana diversity across the examined altitudinal range.     

Diurnal changes in xylem pressure and mesophyll cell turgor pressure of the lianaTetrastigma voinierianum: The role of cell turgor in long-distance water transport

Summary Long-term xylem pressure measurements were performed on the lianaTetrastigma voinierianum (grown in a tropical greenhouse) between heights of 1 m and 9.5 m during the summer and autumn seasons with the xylem pressure probe. Simultaneously, the light intensity, the temperature, and the relative humidity were recorded at the measuring points. Parallel to the xylem pressure measurements, the diurnal changes in the cell turgor and the osmotic pressure of leaf cells at heights of 1 m and 5 m (partly also at a height of 9.5 m) were recorded. The results showed that tensions (and height-varying tension gradients) developed during the day time in the vessels mainly due to an increase in the local light intensity (at a maximum 0.4 MPa). The decrease of the local xylem pressure from positive, subatmospheric or slightly above-atmospheric values (established during the night) to negative values after daybreak was associated with an almost 1 1 decrease in the cell turgor pressure of the mesophyll cells (on average from about 0.4 to 0.5 MPa down to 0.08 MPa). Similarly, in the afternoon the increase of the xylem pressure towards more positive values correlated with an increase in the cell turgor pressure (ratio of about 1 1). The cell osmotic pressure remained nearly constant during the day and was about 0.75–0.85 MPa between 1 m and 9.5 m (within the limits of accuracy). These findings indicate that the turgor pressure primarily determines the corresponding pressure in the vessels (and vice versa) due to the tight hydraulic connection and thus due to the water equilibrium between both compartments. An increase in the transpiration rate (due to an increase in light intensity) results in very rapid establishment of a new equilibrium state by an equivalent decrease in the xylem and cell turgor pressure. From the xylem, cell turgor, and cell osmotic pressure data the osmotic pressure (or more accurately the water activity) of the xylem sap was calculated to be about 0.35–0.45 MPa; this value was apparently not subject to diurnal changes. Considering that the xylem pressure is determined by the turgor pressure (and vice versa), the xylem pressure of the liana could not drop to — in agreement with the experimental results — less than -0.4 MPa, because this pressure corresponds to zero turgor pressure.     

Animating tree colonization and growth

In the early twentieth century the woodland at Heald Brow, north-west England, was largely a tree-less pasture, but changing land management practices lead to natural tree colonization and the development of a mixed deciduous woodland with ash (Fraxinus excelsior), oak (Quercus robur), yew (Taxus baccata) and small-leaved Lime (Tilia cordata) the main components. The research focused on T. cordata due to its rarity and conservation value, and aimed to investigate the timing of its appearance, rates of reproduction by layering and the effects of competition on its longer-term survival. A small, 0.32 ha area of woodland was mapped using standard field-based survey methods and increment cores were taken to provide minimum age estimates for living stems of all species present. The spatial and temporal data generated led to the development of a new micro-GIS animation method, using ArcGIS software, that visually highlighted secondary woodland establishment and development, and gave novel insights into the competitive interactions that governed the development. Results showed T. cordata colonization in the 1940s and layering developing in the 1960s. The later appearance and rapid establishment of T. baccata with its light-excluding canopy produced high competition scores and undoubtedly restricted further development of the main T. cordata canopy aided by F. excelsior at the periphery. This animation method and associated GIS analyses have potential application in both dendrochronological, wider ecological research and in conservation management.     

Radial growth response of Pinus sylvestris L. and Fagus sylvatica L. to technological solutions applied in rope climbing parks

Vitality is a genetic preservation factor that keeps a tree in the right condition. Changes in tree vitality are a measure of the impact exerted on trees by environmental factors, such as injuries to trunks and branches, and are among the basic parameters of the state of their preservation. The dynamics of changes in the width of annual increments of trees is one of several parameters characterizing the level of their vitality. The aim of the study is to determine changes in radial increment and linking them to the level of the vitality of Scots pines (Pinus sylvestris L.) and European beeches (Fagus sylvatica L.), on which the standard (old system) and specially designed (new system) systems of fastening of wooden platforms were installed as part of adventure park infrastructure. In the old system, the platforms were installed on square wooden beams placed in milled tree trunks, while in the new system on semi-circular metal brackets matching the curvature of the trunks. The present research is aimed to determine the dynamics of incremental trends in trees with different platform systems in relation to the reference group, and to determine the impact of the tested support systems on trees with different levels of vitality. Most of the studied trees were in the optimum stage of increment. The initial tree vitality level recorded at the beginning of the experiment was clearly better for the beech stands. In the case of Scots pine, the average vitality was close to stable. Pines that were initially in better condition responded much worse to the installation of old system platforms compared to those with the specially new platform system. A similar trend was also visible in the case of beeches, but the differences were not that clear and the annual increments of the trees with platforms installed were slightly higher compared to the reference trees. The trees that were initially in worse condition, both pines and beeches on which the old system of platforms had been installed, responded by increasing the width of annual increments during the measurement period. The described response of trees most probably does not result from the lower harmfulness of the old support system, but from the defensive responses of trees subjected to stronger stress.     

浙江天童常绿阔叶林藤本植物的适应生态学研究 II.攀援能力和单株攀援效率

选用节间长、节数和支持木大小作为攀援能力的指标,单株攀援的支持木种类、数量及水平扩展面积作为单株攀援效率的指标,对浙江天童常绿阔叶林中5类12种大中型木质藤本的攀援能力及生态适应性和其中2种藤本单株攀援效率进行了分析,结果发现:1)不同攀援类型的节间长和节数存在显著差异,对支持木大小要求不同,反映出攀援能力在类型间的差异;没有一类藤本兼具所有优势,攀援能力是节间长、节数和支持木大小不同组合的结果;卷须类的广东蛇葡萄(Ampelopsiscantoniensis)和暗色菝葜(Smilaxlanceifoliavar.opaca)节间最长、节数居中、要求较小支持木;枝卷类的香港黄檀(Dalbergiamillettii)节数和支持木大小与卷须类接近,但节间较短;不定根类的中华常春藤(Hederanepalensisvar.sinensis)、扶芳藤(Euonymusfortunei)、薜荔(Ficuspumila)和络石(Trachlospermumjasmi noides)以及吸盘类的异叶爬山虎(Parthnocissusheterophylla)节间最短、但节数最多,要求较大支持木;茎缠绕类的白花野木瓜(Stauntonialeucantha)、羊角藤(Morindaumbellata)、忍冬(Lonicerajaponica)和薯莨(Dioscoreacirrhosa)节间长居中,节数最少,要求中等但幅度较宽的支持木。2 )同类型不同藤本的节间长、节数和支持木大小的差异反映出由非亲缘关系植     

Growth decline of Pinus Massoniana in response to warming induced drought and increasing intrinsic water use efficiency in humid subtropical China

Pinus Massoniana is the most widely distributed coniferous species in southern China and one of the most distributed species for plantation in China. It is not uncertain about the responses of tree growth to the combined effects of regional drying and the increase in the intrinsic water-use efficiency (iWUE) due to increased atmospheric CO₂. This study addressed this issue by comparing the tree growth patterns as represented by three tree-ring width chronologies with climate variables and three iWUE series derived from three tree-ring stable carbon isotope discrimination chronologies (Δ¹³C) from Pinus Massoniana in Daiyun Mountain, central Fujian province of China. Among these chronologies, we reported the first tree-ring carbon isotope discrimination chronologies (Δ¹³C) from Fuzhou area spanning last 210 years. It was found that tree radial growth is mainly limited by dry condition from May to October. Growth limitation by cold condition was only found in one high altitude site (780m) in early spring and late autumn. The tree-ring carbon discrimination was enhanced under conditions with low relative humidity and sufficient sunshine in late summer and autumn. In general, the iWUE showed a significantly increasing trend since the 1850s for all the sites in response to the increase in atmospheric CO₂. However, the growth promotion of the increased iWUE on tree growth could not compensate the growth limitation caused by drought. Especially since the 1960s, a growth decline was found at two drought stressed sites at low altitudes. On the other hand, the increase in temperature of spring and autumn and iWUE has most likely enhanced tree growth at the high altitude site.     

Diversity and ecology of lianas in tropical dry evergreen forests on the Coromandel Coast of India under various disturbance regimes

In this study we attempted to explore patterns of diversity, abundance, climbing and dispersal mode of lianas in relation to disturbance in 40 Indian subtropical dry forests. The sites were selected to represent four disturbance categories: relatively undisturbed, moderately disturbed, much disturbed and heavily disturbed. All lianas ≥1 cm dbh were counted, which resulted in a total amount of 5689 individuals of lianas, representing 77 species in 62 genera and 32 families. Liana species richness and abundance increased with forest disturbance, but the liana basal area values showed an opposite trend, with high scores in undisturbed sites. Twining was the main climbing mechanism (61.3%) and zoochory (59.6%) was the main dispersal mode in all the four forest categories. Application of Bray–Curtis cluster analysis produced three distinct clusters in which the much disturbed category was more distant from the others. High abundance of large lianas in undisturbed sites and that of the invasive Lantana camara in heavily disturbed site signals the conservation significance of the less disturbed study sites. The predominance of zoochorous dispersal indicates the faunal dependence of lianas, besides of host trees, thus underlining the need for a holistic approach in biodiversity conservation of this and similar tropical forests.