Removal of cattle accelerates tropical dry forest succession in Northwestern Mexico

Domestic livestock influence patterns of secondary succession across forest ecosystems. However, the effects of cattle on the regeneration of tropical dry forests (TDF) in Mexico are poorly understood, largely because it is difficult to locate forests that are not grazed by cattle or other livestock. We describe changes in forest composition and structure along a successional chronosequence of TDF stands with and without cattle (chronic grazing or exclusion from grazing for ~ 8 year). Forest stands were grouped into five successional stages, ranging from recently abandoned to mature forest, for a total of 2.7 ha of the sampled area. The absence of cattle increased woody plant (tree and shrub) density and species richness, particularly in mid-successional and mature forest stands. Species diversity and evenness were generally greater in sites where cattle were removed and cattle grazing in early successional stands reduced establishment and/or recruitment of new individuals and species. Removal of cattle from forest stands undergoing succession appears to facilitate a progressive and non-linear change of forest structure and compositional attributes associated with rapid recovery, while cattle browsing acts as a chronic disturbance factor that compromises the resilience and structural and functional integrity of the TDF in northwestern Mexico. These results are important for the conservation, management, and restoration of Neotropical dry forests.     

Field observed relationships between biodiversity and ecosystem functioning during secondary succession in a tropical lowland rainforest

The relationship between biodiversity and ecosystem functioning (BEF) is one of the most concerned topics in ecology. However, most of the studies have been conducted in controlled experiments in grasslands, few observational field studies have been carried out in forests. In this paper, we report variations of species diversity, functional diversity and aboveground biomass (AGB) for woody plants (trees and shrubs) along a chronosequence of four successional stages (18-year-old fallow, 30-year-old fallow, 60-year-old fallow, and old-growth forest) in a tropical lowland rainforest recovered after shifting cultivation on Hainan Island, China. Fifty randomly selected sample plots of 20 m × 20 m were investigated in each of the four successional stages. Four functional traits (specific leaf area, wood density, maximum species height and leaf dry matter content) were measured for each woody plants species and the relationships between species/functional diversity and AGB during secondary succession were explored. The results showed that both plant diversity and AGB recovered gradually with the secondary succession. AGB was positively correlated with both species and functional diversity in each stage of succession. Consistent with many controlled experimental results in grasslands, our observational field study confirms that ecosystem functioning is closely related to biodiversity during secondary succession in species rich tropical forests.     

Variations and Trade‐offs in Functional Traits of Tree Seedlings during Secondary Succession in a Tropical Lowland Rain Forest

The seedling stage is generally the most important bottleneck for the successful regeneration of trees in forests. The traits of seedlings, particularly biomass allocation and root traits, are more easily quantified than the traits of adults. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that seedling traits vary and trade‐off tracking the changing environment during secondary succession. We measured the major morphological traits of 27 dominant species and the major environmental factors in a chronosequence (30‐yr‐old fallow, 60‐yr‐old fallow, and old growth forest) after shifting cultivation in a tropical lowland rain forest on Hainan Island, China. The 30‐yr‐old fallow had higher light and nutrient availability, and the older forests had higher soil water content. Redundancy analysis based on species abundance and environmental factors revealed groups of seedlings that dominate in different stages of succession. Seedlings in different stages of succession had different strategies of biomass allocation for harvesting resources that varied in availability. Species characteristic of younger forest had higher allocation to roots and higher specific leaf area, while species characteristic of older forest had higher allocation to leaves. Our study suggests that the variations and trade‐offs in the major functional traits of tree seedlings among successional classes may reflect changes in environmental conditions during succession.     

海南岛霸王岭热带低地雨林植被恢复动态

热带次生林具有重要的物种保育和固碳功能, 然而高强度的干扰会导致次生林早期出现类似季雨林的阶段, 因而群落恢复速度和方向是当前热带生态学研究中最为关注的议题之一。该文以海南岛在刀耕火种弃耕地形成的不同演替阶段的次生林为研究对象, 比较森林不同恢复时间(12年、25年、55年)群落中的不同年龄(幼树、小树、成年树)个体与低地雨林老龄林的物种组成、多样性和群落结构差异, 探讨刀耕火种弃耕地恢复过程中的群落组配过程。首先, 在海南岛霸王岭林区内建立7个1 hm²(100 m × 100 m)的样地, 并调查样地内所有胸径≥ 1 cm的木本植物个体(不包括木质藤本)的种类、胸径大小和树高。无度量多维标定法(NMS)排序结果表明, 刀耕火种弃耕地恢复群落与老龄林的物种组成存在明显差异, 并且其物种组成差异随着径级增加而逐渐减小。刀耕火种弃耕地群落物种累积速度缓慢, 25年和55年恢复群落的种面积、种个体和种多度曲线无差异, 存在一个明显的停滞阶段。与物种组成相比, 群落结构恢复相对较迅速, 但仍没有形成老龄林阶段中的复杂结构。萌生个体在早期恢复群落中占有较高比例, 其个体密度和胸高断面积分别占总数的39.9%和55.9%, 但在恢复中后期迅速降低。刀耕火种弃耕地恢复群落中以先锋种和非先锋喜光种为主。虽然耐阴种随演替而逐渐增加, 但恢复中后期群落中的耐阴种重要值仅为老龄林的27.7%。这些结果表明, 虽然刀耕火种弃耕地恢复群落缓慢地逐渐接近最终恢复目标, 但仍然存在 很大的不确定性。刀耕火种弃耕地恢复过程中的异速恢复和停滞阶段需要纳入今后群落演替模型构建和森林固碳效益核甘共苦算中。     

海岛植物不同演替阶段植物功能性状与环境因子的变化规律

植物功能性状与环境之间的关系是功能性状研究的重点,环境因子驱使植物功能性状发生变化,进而推动群落发生演替。以平潭岛4个不同演替阶段的森林植被(灌草丛、针叶林、针阔混交林、常绿阔叶林)为研究对象,结合不同群落演替阶段的物种特征和群落结构,分析海岛不同演替阶段茎、叶功能性状的变化规律,以及功能性状与环境因子的关系。结果表明:(1)随着演替的进行,土壤养分和水分逐渐增加,土壤pH逐渐下降。比叶面积(SLA)、叶片氮含量(LNC)、叶片磷含量(LPC)、茎氮含量(SNC)、茎磷含量(SPC)下降后上升,叶厚度(LT)、叶片碳含量(LCC)、茎碳含量(SCC)与之相反,叶干物质含量(LDMC)、茎组织密度(STD)逐渐上升。(2)冗余分析表明,演替早期植物主要分布在土壤pH、容重高的贫瘠环境,拥有较高SLA、SNC、SPC、LPC的性状组合;演替后期植物主要分布在土壤养分和水分高的肥沃环境,拥有较高的STD、LDMC、LCC、LNC的性状组合。其中,土壤有机质和全氮含量是影响海岛植物演替过程中功能性状变化的关键环境因子。研究海岛植物功能性状与环境之间的关系随演替的变化规律,探讨各演替阶段功能性状和环境特征,以及功能性状如何响应环境变化。旨在为今后选择合适的树种进行海岛植被修复和重建提供依据。     

Temporal trends in species composition and plant traits in natural grasslands of Uruguay

Abstract. We report the successional trends of the major life‐forms (graminoids and forbs) in natural grasslands of Uruguay over a 9‐yr period after the removal of domestic herbivores. For the whole community, species richness and diversity decreased over the successional period. In graminoids we observed clear temporal trajectories in floristic composition; the rate of floristic change decreased with time and was associated with a shift in plant traits. The exclusion of large herbivores promoted erect and tall grasses with narrow leaves and greater seed length, vegetative growth constrained to the cool season and increased frequency of annual species. Forbs did not show a clear temporal trend in species composition, but there was, nevertheless, a plot‐specific species turnover of this functional group that was reflected in their attributes. Species spreading by means of rhizomes, with vegetative growth restricted to the warm season. Species with larger seeds increased under grazing exclusion, as did annual and nitrogen‐fixing forbs. The floristic changes induced by cattle exclusion occurred early in the succession. This early high rate of change has practical implications for management and conservation programs of the natural grasslands of Uruguay. Additionally, the shift in plant traits may be helpful in devising simple indicators of grazing impact.     

Successional dynamics of the bee community in a tropical dry forest: Insights from taxonomy and functional ecology

Despite the recent rapid growth of tropical dry forest succession ecology, most studies on this topic have focused on plant community attribute recovery, whereas animal community successional dynamics has been largely overlooked, and the few existing studies have used taxonomic approaches. Here, we analyze the successional changes in the bee community in a Mexican tropical dry forest, by integrating taxonomic (species, genus, and family diversity) and functional (sociability, nesting strategy, and body size) information for bees. Over one year, in a successional chronosequence (2–67 years after abandonment) we collected 469 individual bees, representing five families, 36 genera, and 69 species. Linear modeling showed decreases in taxonomic diversity with succession, more strongly so for species. Bee species turnover along succession ranged from moderate to high, decreasing slightly at intermediate stages. An RLQ analysis (ordination method that allows relating environmental variables with functional attributes) revealed clear relations between bee functional traits and the plant community. RLQ axis 1 was positively related to vegetation structural and diversity variables, and to eusociality, while solitary, parasociality, and ground nesting was negatively associated with it. Early successional fallows attract mostly solitary and parasocial bees; older fallows tend to attract eusocial bees with aerial nesting. The continuous taxonomic turnover observed by us and the functional analysis suggest that the disappearance of old fallows from agricultural landscapes would likely result in significant reductions and even local extinctions of particular bee guilds. Considering the low viability of preserving large mature tropical dry forest tracts, the conservation of older successional stands emerges as a crucial component of landscape management.Abstract in Spanish is available with online material.     

Ant community structure during forest succession in a subtropical forest in South-East China

Understanding how communities respond to environmental gradients is critical to predict responses of species to changing habitat conditions such as in regenerating secondary habitats after human land use. In this study, ground-living ants were sampled with pitfall traps in 27 plots in a heterogeneous and diverse subtropical forest to test if and how a broad set of environmental variables including elevation, successional age, and tree species richness influence ant diversity and community composition. In total, 13,441 ant individuals belonging to 71 species were found. Ant abundance was unrelated to all environmental variables. Rarefied ant species richness was negatively related to elevation, and Shannon diversity decreased with shrub cover. There was considerable variation in ant species amongst plots, associated with elevation, successional age, and variables related to succession such as shrub cover. It is shown that younger secondary forests may support a species-rich and diverse community of ants in subtropical forests even though the species composition between younger and older forests is markedly different. These findings confirm the conservation value of secondary subtropical forests, which is critical because subtropical forests have been heavily exploited by human activities globally. However, the findings also confirm that old-growth forest should have priority in conservation as it supports a distinct ant community. Our study identifies a set of ant species which are associated with successional age and may thus potentially assist local conservation planning.     

Temporal variation in the influence of forest succession on caterpillar communities: A long‐term study in a tropical dry forest

Forest succession can influence herbivore communities through changes in host availability, plant quality, microclimate, canopy structure complexity and predator abundance. It is not well known, however, if such influence is constant across years. Caterpillars have been reported to be particularly susceptible to changes in plant community composition across forest succession, as most species are specialists and rely on the presence of their hosts. Nevertheless, in the case of tropical dry forests, plant species have less defined successional boundaries than tropical wet forests, and hence herbivore communities should be able to persist across different successional stages. To test this prediction, caterpillar communities were surveyed during eight consecutive years in a tropical dry forest in four replicated successional stages in Chamela, Jalisco and Mexico. Lepidopteran species richness and diversity were equivalent in mature forests and early successional stages, but a distinctive caterpillar community was found for the recently abandoned pastures. Species composition tended to converge among all four successional stages during the span of eight years. Overall, our results highlight the importance of both primary and secondary forest for the conservation of caterpillar biodiversity at a landscape level. We also highlight the relevance of long‐term studies when assessing the influence of forest succession to account for across year variation in species interactions and climatic factors. Abstract in French is available with online material.     

Root colonization and spore abundance of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in distinct successional stages from an Atlantic rainforest biome in southern Brazil

The influence of plant functional groups and moderate seasonality on arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungal status (root colonization and spore density) was investigated during 13 consecutive months in a chronosequence of succession in southern Brazil, consisting of grassland field, scrub vegetation, secondary forest and mature forest, in a region of transition from tropical to subtropical zones. AM root colonization and spore density decreased with advancing succession and were highest in early successional sites with grassland and scrub vegetation, intermediary in the secondary forest and lowest in the mature forest. They were little influenced by soil properties, but were sufficiently influenced by the fine root nutrient status and fine root traits among different functional plant groups. AM root colonization and spore density were higher during the favourable plant growth season (spring and summer) than during the less favourable plant growth season (autumn and winter). Spore density displayed significant seasonal variation at all sites, whilst root colonization displayed significant seasonal variation in grassland, scrub and secondary forest, but not in mature forest. The data suggest that (1) different plant functional groups display different relationships with AM fungi, influencing their abundance differentially; (2) plant species from early successional phases are more susceptible to AM root colonization and maintain higher AM sporulation than late successional species; (3) fine root traits and nutrient status influence these AM fungal attributes; and (4) higher AM spore production and root colonization is associated with the season of higher light incidence and temperature, abundant water in soil and higher plant metabolic activity.     

海南岛热带山地雨林天然次生林的功能群划分

热带林极高的物种丰富度使许多生态分析非常困难,把功能相似的物种划分为不同功能群,将为热带林的生态研究提供新的途径。以物种的7个功能特性因子(生长型、分布的海拔高度、分布的林型、木材密度、喜光性、演替地位和寿命)和9个林分结构因子(相对生物量、相对胸高断面积、相对树高、相对密度、相对频度、相对冠幅、相对更新数、相对死亡数和相对萌生数)为基础,应用数量化分析的方法,对海南岛典型的热带山地雨林天然次生林群落进行了功能群的划分。结果表明:(1)应用CCA分析林分结构因子时,可将山地雨林天然次生林的物种划分为6类功能群,它们的相对生物量、相对密度、相对频度、相对更新数、相对萌生数和相对死亡数等,随胸径和高度的增加而呈现有规律的变化;(2)应用CCA分析物种功能特性因子时,可将山地雨林天然次生林的物种划分为5类功能群,它们的功能特性都随演替过程而呈现有规律的变化;(3)在综合考虑两个不同角度CCA分析的基础上,最后将热带山地雨林天然次生林的物种共划分为11类功能群,它们能充分体现物种随胸径和高度结构的变化特点及其在演替过程中所处的阶段;(4)演替初期的灌木类功能群与各不同演替时期的乔木功能群共同分布于的中下层,但其大多处于死亡状态;(5)演替初期与演替中后期的乔木功能群则共同组成的主层林,但其死亡数量也较高。可见,海南岛热带山地雨林天然次生林目前正处不同功能群的激烈竞争阶段。     

Whole-canopy nitrogen-use efficiency of pioneer species in early secondary forest succession in Vietnam

The size hierarchy among plants during forest succession can be influenced by differences in nitrogen-use efficiency (NUE). During succession, soil nitrogen availability decreases, which increases the importance for species to use nitrogen efficiently. We compare whole-canopy-NUE and its underlying traits among pioneer species in a tropical forest over the first years of succession. At the leaf level, potential photosynthetic NUE (PPNUE: light-saturated photosynthetic rate/leaf N content) was partly positively correlated with species growth rate but not to species height. Canopy-NUE differed two-fold among species. The species with the highest PPNUE and growth rate but with a small stature had a high canopy-NUE and the tallest species had a low canopy-NUE. Differences in canopy-NUE appeared to be largely determined by leaf life span (LLS) and nitrogen resorption. A high LLS or a high resorption resulted in a high mean residence time of nitrogen and thus a high canopy-NUE. Canopy-NUE of a species was different between successional stands that differed in age and thus in height, leaf-area index, and resource availability. Thus, an increase in competitive pressure with succession did cause some changes in the use of nitrogen, except for one species. Species that are generally considered part of the same functional group (pioneer trees) can differ considerably in NUE and its underlying traits.     

Dispersal process driving subtropical forest reassembly: evidence from functional and phylogenetic analysis

Understanding the mechanisms of secondary succession related to forest management practices is receiving increasing attention in community ecology and biodiversity conservation. Abiotic and biotic filtering are deterministic processes driving community reassembly. A functional trait or phylogeny-based approach predicts that environmental filtering induced by clearcut-logging results in functional/phylogenetic clustering in younger forests, while biotic filtering (competitive exclusion) promotes functional/phylogenetic overdispersion in old-growth forests. From this perspective, we examined the patterns of functional/phylogenetic structures using tree community data (147 species × 170 plots). These data were chronosequenced from clearcut secondary forests to old-growth subtropical forests in the Ryukyu Archipelago, with species’ trait data (leaf and stem) and species level phylogeny. To detect clustering or overdispersion in the functional and phylogenetic structures, we calculated the standardized effect size of mean nearest trait distance and mean nearest phylogenetic distance within the plots. Functional or phylogenetic clustering was relatively weak in secondary forests, and their directional change with increasing forest age was not generally detected. Mean nearest trait/phylogenetic distance for most plots fell within the range of random expectation. The results suggest that abiotic/biotic filtering related to functional traits or phylogenetic relatedness plays a diminished role in shaping species assembly during secondary succession in the subtropical forest. Our findings of functional and phylogenetic properties might shed light on the importance of dispersal (stochastic) processes in the regional species pool during community reassembly after anthropogenic disturbance. It will also contribute to the development of coordinated schemes that maintain potential species assembly processes in the subtropical forest.     

Elevation,Topography, and Edge Effects Drive Functional Composition of Woody Plant Species in Tropical Montane Forests

Tropical montane forests comprise heterogeneous environments along natural gradients of topography and elevation. Human‐induced edge effects further increase the environmental heterogeneity in these forests. The simultaneous effects of natural and human‐induced gradients on the functional diversity of plant leaf traits are poorly understood. In a tropical montane forest in Bolivia, we studied environmental gradients associated with elevation (from 1900 m to 2500 m asl), topography (ridge and gorge), and edge effects (forest edge vs. forest interior), and their relationship with leaf traits and resource‐use strategies. First, we investigated associations of environmental conditions (soil properties and microclimate) with six leaf traits, measured on 119 woody plant species. Second, we evaluated changes in functional composition with community‐weighted means and functional structure with multidimensional functional diversity indices (FRic, FEve and FDiv). We found significant associations between leaf traits and soil properties in accordance with the trade‐off between acquisition and conservation of resources. Functional composition of leaf traits shifted from the dominance of acquisitive species in habitats at low altitudes, gorges, and forest interior to the dominance of conservative species in habitats at high altitudes, ridges, and forest edges. Functional structure was only weakly associated with the environmental gradients. Natural and human‐induced environmental gradients, especially soil properties, are important for driving leaf traits and resource‐use strategies of woody plants. Nevertheless, weak associations between functional structure and environmental gradients suggest a high redundancy of functional leaf traits in this tropical montane forest.     

Functional diversity and traits assembly patterns of lichens as indicators of successional stages in a tropical rainforest

Understanding community assembly patterns with regard to functional traits, which may be common to different species, allows us to compare ecological communities in a wider range of environmental and phytogeographic conditions. Moreover, a functional approach may facilitate the comprehension of the relation between biotic changes and ecosystem functions in complex systems such as tropical forests. Considering the lack of information in relation to the influence of environmental conditions on lichen functional traits, on lichen functional patterns in tropical forests and the potential usage of this approach in bioindication studies, this paper aims at (i) determining the functional structure of the lichen communities along the forest succession gradient, (ii) assessing the relation of lichen functional traits to this gradient and (iii) verifying the potential of using lichen functional traits as indicators of successional stages in tropical rainforests. Lichens were sampled in 24 sampling units of three successional stages (6–10; 12–20; and 40–60 years of recovering). The results corroborated our main hypothesis that the functional structure of the lichen communities responds to structural changes along a forest regeneration gradient. Growth forms (foliose, fruticose and crustose) as well as some reproductive trait states (lirella, isidia and perithecia) were the most suitable lichen traits to be used as indicators of forest succession in the southern edge of the Atlantic Rainforest. Lirella, fruticose and foliose were more related to earlier successional stages; isidia was more related to intermediate stages, while perithecia and crustose were more related to older stages. These results reinforce the ability of lichens to be used as bioindicators of forest conditions.     

Taxonomic and functional ant diversity along a secondary successional gradient in a tropical forest

The taxonomic diversity (TD) of tropical flora and fauna tends to increase during secondary succession. This increase may be accompanied by changes in functional diversity (FD), although the relationship between TD and FD is not well understood. To explore this relationship, we examined the correlations between the TD and FD of ants and forest age in secondary forests at the α‐ and β‐diversity levels using single‐ and multi‐trait‐based approaches. Our objectives were to understand ant diversity patterns and to evaluate the role of secondary forests in the conservation of biodiversity and in the resilience of tropical forests. Ant assemblages were sampled across a chronosequence in the Lacandon region, Mexico. All species were characterized according to 12 functional ecomorphological traits relevant to their feeding behavior. We found that TD and FD were related to forest age at the alpha level, but not at the beta level. α‐functional richness and divergence increased linearly with species richness and diversity, respectively. Also, the relationship between taxonomic and functional turnover was linear and positive. Our results indicated that functional traits were complementary across the chronosequence. The increase in FD was mainly driven by the addition of rare species with relevant traits. The older secondary forests did not recover all of the functions of old growth forest but did show a tendency to recovery. Because older successional stages support more TD and FD, we suggest developing agriculture and forestry management practices that facilitate rapid post‐agricultural succession and thereby better preserve the functionality of tropical forests.     

暖湿化气候情景下喀斯特木本植物群落构建机制

云南喀斯特区域是滇桂黔岩溶石漠化重点治理区之一,探讨气候暖湿化下植物群落演替阶段的构建特征是生态恢复和森林管理可持续的关键。以气候暖湿化为背景,将喀斯特天坑作为天然“开顶式气室”,天坑南坡地下森林为群落演替顶极。联合系统发育和功能性状探讨演替序列(坑外针阔混交林,坑外常绿阔叶林,坑内常绿阔叶林)的群落构建机制。结果发现：(1)演替前期植物性状的系统发育信号较弱,叶长宽比、叶面积、叶厚度和比叶面积的系统发育信号显著,但功能性状的保守性较弱;演替后期植物性状转为趋同进化,系统发育信号均不显著。(2)演替阶段植物群落的系统发育多样性逐渐降低,并与物种丰富度显著正相关。(3)系统发育指数NRI(净亲缘指数)和NTI(最近种间亲缘指数)由小于0转为大于0,功能性状结构指数TraitSESMPD(标准化平均配对性状距离指数)和TraitSESMNTD(标准化平均最近相邻性状距离指数)均大于0。演替阶段的群落构建过程由生境过滤和物种间相互作用所主导。(4)系统发育和功能性状结构指数主要与土壤含水量、全磷和速效钾含量显著负相关。演替阶段下土壤水分和养分受限时群落趋于聚集,群落构建过程支持生态位假说。研...     

Using functional trait diversity to evaluate the contribution of multiple ecological processes to community assembly during succession

Successional chronosequences provide a unique opportunity to study the effects of multiple ecological processes on plant community assembly. Using a series of 0.5 × 0.5 m² plots (n = 30) from five successional sub‐alpine meadow plant communities (ages 3, 5, 9, 12, and undisturbed) in the Qinghai‐Tibetan Plateau, we investigated whether community assembly is stochastic or deterministic for species and functional traits. We tested directional change in species composition, functional trait composition, and then functional trait diversity measured by Rao's quadratic entropy for four traits – plant height, leaf dry matter content, specific leaf area, and seed mass – along two comparable successional chronosequences. We then evaluated the importance of species interactions, habitat filtering and stochasticity by comparing with random communities and partitioning the environmental and spatial components of Rao's quadratic entropy. We found no directional change in species composition, but clear directionality in functional trait composition. None of the abiotic environmental variables (except P) showed linear change with successional age, but soil moisture and nitrogen were positively related to functional diversity within meadows. Functional trait diversity increased significantly with the increase in successional age. Comparison with random communities showed a significant shift from trait divergence in early stages of succession (3‐ and 5‐yr) to convergence in the later stages of succession 9‐, 12‐yr and undisturbed). The relative importance of abiotic variables and spatial structure for functional trait diversity changed in a predictable manner with successional age. Stochasticity at the species level may indicate dispersal limitation, but deterministic effects on functional trait distributions show the role of both habitat effects and biotic interactions.     

Life History Traits of Lianas During Tropical Forest Succession

Tropical secondary forests form an important part of the landscape. Understanding functional traits of species that colonize at different points in succession can provide insight into community assembly. Although studies on functional traits during forest succession have focused on trees, lianas (woody vines) also contribute strongly to forest biomass, species richness, and dynamics. We examined life history traits of lianas in a forest chronosequence in Costa Rica to determine which traits vary consistently over succession. We conducted 0.1 ha vegetation inventories in 30 sites. To examine the establishment of young individuals, we only included small lianas (0.5–1.5 cm diameter at 1.3 m height). For each species, we identified seed size, dispersal mode, climbing mode, and whether or not the seedling is self‐supporting. We found a strong axis of variation determined by seed size and seedling growth habit, with early successional communities dominated by small‐seeded species with abiotic dispersal and climbing seedlings, while large‐seeded, animal‐dispersed species with free‐standing seedlings increased in abundance with stand age. Contrary to previous research and theory, we found a decrease in the abundance of stem twiners and no decrease in the abundance of tendril‐climbers during succession. Seed size appears to be a better indicator of liana successional stage than climbing mode. Liana life history traits change predictably over succession, particularly traits related to seedling establishment. Identifying whether these trait differences persist into the growth strategies of mature lianas is an important research goal, with potential ramifications for understanding the impact of lianas during tropical forest succession.