A standard protocol for liana censuses

J.J. Gerwing, S.A. Schnitzer, R.J. Burnham, F.J.J.M. Bongers, J. Chave, S.J. DeWalt, C.E.N. Ewango, R. Foster, D. Kenfack, M. Martinez-Ramos, M.P.E. Parren, N. Parthasarathy, D.R. Pérez-Salicrup, F.E. Putz, D.W. Thomas

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

215 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

A recent increase in published studies of lianas has been paralleled by a proliferation of protocols for censusing lianas. This article seeks to increase uniformity in liana inventories by providing specific recommendations for the determination of which taxa to include, the location of diameter measurement points on individual stems, the setting of minimum stem diameter cutoffs, the treatment of multiple-stemmed and rooted clonal groups, and the measurement of noncylindrical stems. Use of more uniform liana censusing protocols may facilitate comparison of independently collected data sets and further our understanding of global patterns in liana abundance, diversity, biomass, and dynamics.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)256-261
JournalBiotropica
Volume38
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2006

Keywords

  • tropical rain-forest
  • barro-colorado-island
  • lowland forest
  • stem diameter
  • wet forest
  • diversity
  • abundance
  • growth
  • biomass
  • panama

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