Tropical Vine Growth and the Effects on Forest Succession: A Review of the Ecology and Management of Tropical Climbing Plants

Abstract

The climbing habit has evolved independently in many plant taxa, offering vines the ability to compete with non-climbing vegetation for resources such as light, nutrients, and water. This review examines the structural and functional characteristics that allow climbing plants to (1) achieve widespread dispersal, (2) transport large amounts of water throughout vessels, (3) maintain high photosynthesis levels through a large leaf area to biomass ratio, (4) achieve rapid vertical and horizontal expansion by fast growth rates and various climbing mechanisms and (5) survive and recover from disturbances. Due to the competitive effects of vines on trees, management of vine growth is used to preserve tropical timber plantations, combat invasive weeds, and promote rainforest recovery. In order to sustainably manage the vines into the future, it is necessary to understand the mechanisms by which they can alter tropical forest succession and the impacts of various management techniques.Resumen El hábito trepador ha evolucionado de forma independiente en muchos taxa de plantas. Ofrece la capacidad de competir con la vegetación no-trepadora por recursos como luz, nutrientes y agua. Esta reseña examina las características estructurales y funcionales que permiten a las plantas trepadoras (1) lograr dispersión generalizada, (2) transportar grandes cantidades de agua a través de vasos conductores, (3) mantener niveles altos de fotosíntesis mediante una gran proporción de biomasa por área foliar, (4) lograr rápida expansión vertical y horizontal por crecimiento rápido y diversos mecanismos para trepar y (5) sobrevivir a y recuperar de disturbios ecológicos y antropogénicos. Debido a los efectos competitivos de los bejucos en los árboles, el manejo controlado del crecimiento de los bejucos se utiliza para preservar plantaciones maderables, combatir hierbas invasoras, y promover la recuperación del bosque tropical. Con el fin del manejo sostenible de los bejucos en el futuro, es necesario estudiar los mecanismos por los cuales pueden alterar la sucesión de bosques tropicales y los impactos de varias técnicas de manejo.

Non-arborescent vegetation trajectories following repeated hurricane disturbance: ephemeral versus enduring responses

“…These novel vegetation layers are found in forests worldwide where changes in historic disturbance regimes (e.g., increased frequency or severity) alter understory succession towards pathways where previously suppressed non-arborescent clonal plant species expand and monopolize the understory. Once established, these dense thickets of non-arborescent vegetation can inhibit the establishment of late successional woody species and stall or alter expected successional trajectories (Slocum et al 2004; reviewed by Carson 2006 andPaul andYavitt 2010). As many of these species are shade-tolerant and possess long-lived genets, their dominance and effect on community assembly and succession often persists for decades (Walker et al 2010, Young andPeffer 2010).…”

Can terrestrial laser scanners (TLSs) and hemispherical photographs predict tropical dry forest succession with liana abundance?

“…In the last two decades lianas have increased in density and biomass in old-growth forests (Phillips et al, 2002;Schnitzer and Bongers, 2011). This increment is considered to be one of the major structural changes in tropical forests (Phillips and Lewis, 2014).…”

“…Lianas are considered light-loving plants, because they tend to respond positively to disturbance and show high density in areas of secondary forest succession (Paul and Yavitt, 2011). Furthermore, secondary forests may promote liana abundance because they provide both high light availability and an abundance of trellises (Schnitzer and Bongers, 2002).…”

“…Furthermore, secondary forests may promote liana abundance because they provide both high light availability and an abundance of trellises (Schnitzer and Bongers, 2002). As tree turnover increases gaps due to mortality, lianas can take advantage of this process and form dense tangles which in turn reduce the amount of light reaching the forest understory (Paul and Yavitt, 2011;Schnitzer et al, 2000). These liana tangles can persist for long periods (up to 13 years) and alter the successional pathway stalled by liana abundance by inhibiting the regeneration, growth, and density of late successional species .…”

Self-discrimination in the tendrils of the vine Cayratia japonica is mediated by physiological connection

“…Vegetatively reproducing vines also often touch genetically identical individuals growing beside the parent plant. Climbing plants block access to light and lead to strangulation and collapse of the host under the weight of the climbing plant [22,23]. Therefore, the ability of tendrils to distinguish self from non-self might be an adaptive response to avoid the harmful effects of coiling around and climbing itself.…”