Modelling the current and future impacts of liana infestation on the demography and biogeochemical cycles of tropical forests Ghent University
Tropical forests are currently experiencing large-scale structural changes, the most apparent being the increase in liana abundance and biomass. Lianas (woody vines) are a key growth-form of these ecosystems where they constitute up to 40% of the woody stems. The (structural) parasitic relationship they impose on trees leads to increased tree mortality, decreased tree growth rate, and hence overall reduced forest carbon sequestration. Climate ...