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Patterns of liana community diversity and structure in a tropical rainforest reserve, G hana: effects of human disturbance
Author(s) -
AddoFordjour Patrick,
Rahmad Zakaria B.,
Amui Joycelyn,
Pinto Chareles,
Dwomoh Mavis
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
african journal of ecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.499
H-Index - 54
eISSN - 1365-2028
pISSN - 0141-6707
DOI - 10.1111/aje.12025
Subject(s) - liana , disturbance (geology) , rainforest , basal area , ecology , biology , diversity index , species richness , forestry , geography , paleontology
Most studies have concluded that liana diversity and structure increase with disturbance. However, a contradictory pattern has emerged recently calling for more research in the area. Liana diversity and structure were investigated in three forest types that differ in disturbance intensity (nondisturbed, moderately disturbed and heavily disturbed forest: NDF , MDF and HDF , respectively) in the A tewa R ange F orest R eserve, G hana. In each forest type, 10 square plots of 0.25 ha were demarcated. Lianas with diameter ≥1 cm located on trees with diameter ≥10 cm were enumerated. A total of 429 individuals representing 40 species, 29 genera and seventeen families were identified in the study. Shannon diversity and species richness of lianas were significantly lower in the HDF ( P < 0.05). Liana density and basal area differed significantly across all forest types ( P < 0.0001). The importance value index ( IVI ) of most liana species varied greatly across the forest types. The current study has provided evidence to support the pattern of decreasing liana diversity and structure with disturbance in some tropical forests. Further studies are recommended to gain more understanding of the factors that are responsible for the divergent liana responses to disturbance in tropical forests.