Climbing plants in Ghanaian forests.

Swaine, Michael; Hawthorne, W.D.; Bongers, F.; Aceves, M. Toledo

doi:10.1079/9780851999142.0093

Cited by 7 publications

(2 citation statements)

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“…In general, climbing plants are most abundant in the tropics and decline poleward in different continents. The average CPF in Chinese tropics recorded in this study (18.4%) is close to the lower limits of 17–30% reported for tropical Africa (Hall & Swaine, 1976; Etien & Traoré, 2005; Jongkind & Hawthorne, 2005; Kokou & Caballé, 2005; Natta & Sinsin, 2005; Swaine et al. , 2005) and 19–26.7% for tropical America (Gentry & Dodson, 1987a; Solórzano et al.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 88%

Geographical and environmental gradients of lianas and vines in China

Liang

2010

Global Ecology and Biogeography

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Aim Climbing plants are characterized by long, wide vessel elements, which may be vulnerable to cold-or drought-induced embolism. However, the difference in vulnerability between lianas (woody climbing plants) and vines (herbaceous climbing plants) has not yet been reported. Here we hypothesize that both lianas and vines are more sensitive to variations in water and temperature than are self-supporting plants.Consequently, the proportions of lianas and vines in flora are expected to decline significantly along geographical and environmental gradients. Location China.Methods A unique dataset describing 82 floras in China was examined. The proportion of lianas in the flora (LPF) and the proportion of vines in the flora (VPF) were calculated independently. The proportion of the climbing plants in total spermatophyte flora (CPF) was also calculated. LPF and VPF were compared along latitudinal, mean annual rainfall (Rain), and mean January temperature (T1) gradients. Local linear regression analyses showed the changing tendencies of LPF and VPF. Prediction models of LPF using geographical and environmental factors were studied in some subranges. Results(1) LPF was highest in the tropics (13.8% on average), decreased linearly with increasing latitude within the latitude < 42°N subrange, and reached < 1% north of 42°N in China. VPF fluctuated slightly from tropical (4.7%), to subtropical (4.2%) to warm temperate (4.5%) regions, but declined significantly in temperate (3.2%) and dry (1.5%) zones in China. (2) LPF decreased significantly with decreasing rainfall, and decreased significantly with decreasing T1 in areas where T1 > -10°C. In contrast, VPF tended to be constant in areas where T1 > -5°C or Rain > 1000 mm, and declined under extreme water or temperature stresses. (3) Predictions of LPF using Rain and T1 in areas where T1 > -10°C, and using latitude and altitude within the latitude < 42°N subrange were both reliable. According to the geographical model for LPF and a constant VPF, tropical Asian forests would have a LPF as high as 25.4% and the highest CPF would be c. 30%. ConclusionsWe conclude that liana diversity is more sensitive to temperature and water availability than that of vines and other plants. Geographical and environmental gradients affected LPF but not VPF. Shorter life spans and underground nutrient storage may be effective strategies adopted by vines to avoid drought and cold stresses.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 88%

Geographical and environmental gradients of lianas and vines in China

Liang

2010

Global Ecology and Biogeography

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“…Species composition and family dominance of lianas in Ituri are largely the same as those found in most Central African tropical forests (Cameroon: Parren 2003, Tchouto 2004Uganda: Eilu 2001). The most abundant families of Ituri (Connaraceae, Euphorbiaceae, Dichapetalaceae, Combretaceae, Celastraceae, Leguminosae and Apocynaceae) are widely distributed even in Upper Guinea (Addo-Fordjour et al 2008, Jongkind & Hawthorne 2005, Muoghalu & Okeesan 2005, Natta & Sinsin 2005, Swaine et al 2005, suggesting strong similarity among West and Central African lowland forests. However, in the Neotropics the assemblages show a distinctly different family composition, being generally rich in species of Bignoniaceae (Gentry 1991a), a family with only few liana representatives in African forests.…”

Section: Floristic Compositionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Structure and composition of the liana assemblage of a mixed rain forest in the Congo Basin

Ewango¹,

Bongers²,

Makana³

et al. 2015

Plecevo

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Background and aims -The Congo Basin lowland forest represents one of the largest tropical forest blocks in the world, but its liana assemblage has never been characterized. We evaluate liana floristics, diversity, and structure in the Ituri Forest, and determine the effects of forest structure and edaphic variation on liana species composition. Methods -Two permanent 10-ha plots (200 × 500 m), 500 m apart, were established in mixed forest. All liana individuals ≥ 2 cm dbh were identified, measured, mapped, and marked. For 20 × 20 m subplots we distinguished terra firme and swamp, and we estimated canopy openness. Key results -The combined 20-ha area contains 15,008 lianas (dbh ≥ 2 cm) representing 195 species, 83 genera, and 34 families. Per hectare, species number averaged 64, mean basal area was 0.71 m 2 and mean Fisher's alpha, Shannon index, and Simpson diversity index values were 17.9, 3.1 and 11.4, respectively. Ten dominant plant families represented 69% of total species richness, 92% of liana abundance and 92% of basal area, while ten dominant species accounted for 63% of abundance and 59% of basal area. A single species, Manniophyton fulvum, dominated the liana community (22% of all individuals). Forty-one species (21%) had one individual only. Twiners, zoochorous, light-demanding, and meso-or microphyllous species dominated. Liana abundance increased with abundance of medium-sized and large trees but was, surprisingly, independent of small-tree abundance. Canopy openness, habitat type, and tree size were the most important factors influencing abundance and distribution of liana individuals. Conclusions -The Ituri liana assemblage stands out by showing an extreme one-species dominance. Species floristic composition is, however, generally similar to that in other tropical African forests.

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Liana Assemblages in Tropical Forests of Africa and Southeast Asia: Diversity, Abundance, and Management

Addo‐Fordjour

Rahmad

2015

Sustainable Development and Biodiversity

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Climbing plants in Ghanaian forests.

Cited by 7 publications

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Geographical and environmental gradients of lianas and vines in China

Geographical and environmental gradients of lianas and vines in China

Structure and composition of the liana assemblage of a mixed rain forest in the Congo Basin

Liana Assemblages in Tropical Forests of Africa and Southeast Asia: Diversity, Abundance, and Management

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