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Published VersionCC BY V4.0, Open Access
Journal article
Conceptualising the Global Forest Response to Liana Proliferation
Frontiers in Forests and Global Change, Vol.3, pp.1-21
2020
Abstract
Lianas are woody vines, rooted in the soil, and supported physically by trees. Lianas contribute to forest ecosystem functioning globally, but especially in the tropics and subtropics. However, prolific liana growth following heavy disturbance frequently affects subsequent recovery of forest tree diversity, biomass, structure, and function. Understanding this forest liana dynamic, and its sensitivity to climate and anthropogenic forces, is essential for worldwide forest restoration and climate change mitigation. Here, we synthesise the evidence for both positive and negative effects of lianas on forests and propose a framework that outlines the expected global response of forests to disturbance-induced liana proliferation. Emerging evidence suggests that lianas play a major role in both facilitating and delaying forest recovery following disturbance. At low levels of disturbance and/or where environmental conditions favour tree growth, lianas can facilitate forest recovery by protecting trees from extreme weather, fire, weed invasion and herbivory. However, under conditions where lianas proliferate beyond critical thresholds, positive feedbacks are expected to induce and sustain liana-dominated forest states that can endure for decades or even longer. We conceptualise alternative classes of forest recovery response to disturbance and describe measurement and modelling of liana thresholds. We identify four essential challenges for global change science relating to lianas: (1) incorporation of lianas and sapling stems into forest monitoring and tree stand measurements worldwide; (2) long-term experiments to determine variation in liana-tree competition, and potential drivers across forest successional gradients; (3) identification and prediction of liana thresholds and other alternative forest recovery response classes; and (4) dynamic mechanistic modelling of forest recovery to determine regional and global variation within and among different recovery response classes, in relation to variation in potential drivers, liana feedbacks and their interactions. Addressing these challenges will determine the importance of lianas in shaping regional and global forest composition, recovery and dynamics.
Details
- Title
- Conceptualising the Global Forest Response to Liana Proliferation
- Authors
- Andrew R Marshall (Corresponding Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Tropical Forests and People Research CentrePhilip J Platts (Author) - University of YorkRobin L Chazdon (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Tropical Forests and People Research CentreHamidu Seki (Author) - University of YorkMason J Campbell (Author) - James Cook UniversityOliver L Phillips (Author) - University of LeedsRoy E Gereau (Author) - Missouri Botanical GardenRobert Marchant (Author) - University of YorkJingjing Liang (Author) - Purdue UniversityJohn Herbohn (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Tropical Forests and People Research CentreYadvinder Malhi (Author) - University of OxfordMarion Pfeifer (Author) - Newcastle University
- Publication details
- Frontiers in Forests and Global Change, Vol.3, pp.1-21
- Publisher
- Frontiers Research Foundation
- Date published
- 2020
- DOI
- 10.3389/ffgc.2020.00035
- ISSN
- 2624-893X
- Copyright note
- Copyright © 2020 Marshall, Platts, Chazdon, Seki, Campbell, Phillips, Gereau, Marchant, Liang, Herbohn, Malhi and Pfeifer. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
- Organisation Unit
- Australian Centre for Pacific Islands Research; Tropical Forests and People Research Centre; Forest Industries Research Centre; School of Science, Technology and Engineering; Forest Research Institute
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99482294302621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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