Title
Liana Communities in Three Tropical Forest Types in Xishuangbanna, South-West China
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2009
Volume Number
21
Source Publication
Journal of Tropical Forest Science
Abstract
Lianas are an important growth form in tropical forests around the world; however, they are relatively unknown in southeast Asia. We identified, measured, and determined the climbing and disperal modes for all lianas ≥ 0.2 cm in diameter in five 0.1 ha (20 x 50 m) plots in three common forest types at the tropical-temperate transitional zone in Xishuangbanna, SW China: montane forest, evergreen broad-leaved forest and seasonally wet forest. The mean density of lianas varied significantly among the three forests, with 445, 276 and 301 individuals per plot in the seasonally wet, montane, and evergreen forests, respectively. In all three forests combined, we found a total of 147 liana species, representing 48 families and 75 genera; however similarity coefficients between the forests were low. Mean species richness was 40, 26, and 21 species per plot in the seasonally wet, montane, and evergreen forest, respectively. Fisher’s α differed significantly among the three forest types, with seasonally wet forest having the highest and evergreen forest the lowest values. In all three forests, most lianas were stem twiners and scramblers, with relatively few hook, tendril and root climbers. Liana species were mostly wind dispersed in the evergreen forest, but animal and gravity dispersed in the other two forests. Compared to other tropical Asian tropical forests, the diveristy and abundance of lianas is relativley high in Xishuangbanna, which may be due to the relatively warm climate, as well as high seasonal rainfall and high rates of disturbance and forest fragmentation.