Ecology Climate change impacts and adaptation Ecological applications biomass carbon stocks climate competition disturbance forest succession restoration topography trees vines
Lianas, or woody vines, are integral components of tropical forests that have substantial impacts on the dynamics and functioning of these important ecosystems. There is growing evidence that liana competition with trees is threatening the global carbon sink by hindering the recovery of forests from disturbances. A recent hypothesis, built on local and regional evidence, suggests that their competitive success over trees (liana dominance) is facilitated by interactions between forest disturbance and climate. Despite their increasing competitiveness with trees at the global scale, robust measurements of liana aboveground biomass (AGB) have been limited. Moreover, it is unclear how forest disturbance interacts with liana–tree ratios (LTRs), climate, topography and soil properties to shape tree dynamics and the trajectories of succession in tropical forests. This thesis aims to improve understanding of the role lianas play in the recovery of tropical forests from disturbance, through the use of innovative sampling approaches to investigate forest dynamics and relationships with disturbance, liana–tree trade-offs and environmental factors.
Details
Title
Investigating the relationship between liana abundance and tropical forest recovery
Authors
Alain Senghor K. Ngute - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Science, Technology and Engineering
Contributors
Andrew Marshall (Supervisor) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Tropical Forests & People Research Centre
David Schoeman (Supervisor) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Science, Technology and Engineering
Awarding institution
University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland
Degree awarded
Doctor of Philosophy
Publisher
University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland
DOI
10.25907/00828
Organisation Unit
School of Science, Technology and Engineering; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland
Language
English
Record Identifier
991001298802621
Output Type
Dissertation
Metrics
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Details
Investigating the relationship between liana abundance and tropical forest recovery