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(Reference retrieved automatically from Web of Science through information on FAPESP grant and its corresponding number as mentioned in the publication by the authors.)

Variation in liana abundance and biomass along an elevational gradient in the tropical Atlantic Forest (Brazil)

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Author(s):
Alves, Luciana F. [1, 2, 3] ; Assis, Marco A. [4] ; van Melis, Juliano [5] ; Barros, Ana L. S. [4] ; Vieira, Simone A. [6] ; Martins, Fernando R. [5] ; Martinelli, Luiz A. [7] ; Joly, Carlos A. [5]
Total Authors: 8
Affiliation:
[1] Univ Colorado, INSTAAR, Boulder, CO 80309 - USA
[2] Univ Arizona, Tucson, AZ - USA
[3] Inst Bot, Sao Paulo - Brazil
[4] Univ Estadual Paulista, Depto Bot, BR-13506900 Rio Claro, SP - Brazil
[5] Univ Estadual Campinas, Depto Biol Vegetal, BR-13083970 Campinas, SP - Brazil
[6] Univ Estadual Campinas, NEPAM, BR-13083970 Campinas, SP - Brazil
[7] Univ Sao Paulo, CENA Esalq, BR-13400970 Piracicaba, SP - Brazil
Total Affiliations: 7
Document type: Journal article
Source: ECOLOGICAL RESEARCH; v. 27, n. 2, p. 323-332, MAR 2012.
Web of Science Citations: 12
Abstract

Lianas play a key role in forest structure, species diversity, as well as functional aspects of tropical forests. Although the study of lianas in the tropics has increased dramatically in recent years, basic information on liana communities for the Brazilian Atlantic Forest is still scarce. To understand general patterns of liana abundance and biomass along an elevational gradient (0-1,100 m asl) of coastal Atlantic Forest, we carried out a standard census for lianas a parts per thousand yen1 cm in five 1-ha plots distributed across different forest sites. On average, we found a twofold variation in liana abundance and biomass between lowland and other forest types. Large lianas (a parts per thousand yen10 cm) accounted for 26-35% of total liana biomass at lower elevations, but they were not recorded in montane forests. Although the abundance of lianas displayed strong spatial structure at short distances, the present local forest structure played a minor role structuring liana communities at the scale of 0.01 ha. Compared to similar moist and wet Neotropical forests, lianas are slightly less abundant in the Atlantic Forest, but the total biomass is similar. Our study highlights two important points: (1) despite some studies have shown the importance of small-scale canopy disturbance and support availability, the spatial scale of the relationships between lianas and forest structure can vary greatly among tropical forests; (2) our results add to the evidence that past canopy disturbance levels and minimum temperature variation exert influence on the structure of liana communities in tropical moist forests, particularly along short and steep elevational gradients. (AU)

FAPESP's process: 03/12595-7 - Floristic composition, structure and functioning of the Dense Rainforest nuclei of Picinguaba and Santa Virgínia of Parque Estadual da Serra do Mar, State of São Paulo, Brazil
Grantee:Carlos Alfredo Joly
Support type: BIOTA-FAPESP Program - Thematic Grants