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Investigating the relationship between lianas and Australian rainforest recovery
Dissertation   Open access

Investigating the relationship between lianas and Australian rainforest recovery

Emma Mackintosh
University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland
Doctor of Philosophy, University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland
2024
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.25907/00844
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Investigating the relationship between lianas and Australian rainforest4.75 MBDownloadView
Thesis Open Access

Abstract

Ecology Ecological applications Environmental management vines disturbance tropical forests Wet Tropics cyclones restoration carbon forest succession
Lianas (woody vines including thick-stemmed climbing monocots) are a conspicuous feature of tropical forests. It is well established that lianas can be detrimental to trees and are increasing in tropical forests, partially due to ongoing disturbances. This may have serious consequences for forest recovery post-disturbance, forest functioning and climate change mitigation. Thus, liana cutting is a common management intervention for forest restoration with presumed benefits for forest functioning and climate change mitigation. Lianas, however, can also play important beneficial roles in tropical forest ecosystems: they contribute to biodiversity, affect nutrient cycles, provide resources and connectivity for animals, and may shelter saplings from extreme weather. Widespread liana cutting, therefore, could have unforeseen adverse effects. It is important to research the roles of lianas in forest recovery after disturbance to inform management decisions about the intensities of liana-control treatments.

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