Ecological Studies of Lianas in Lambir National Park, Sarawak, Malaysia

Abstract

(1) Liana (climber or woody vine) abundance and climbing habitats were studied in primary dipterocarp forest in Lambir National Park, Sarawak. (2) Sample plots of 0.1 ha were established on the upper slopes of a broad ridge at altitudes of about 100-140 m an in adjacent valley at an altitude of approximately 50 m. Five plots were selected at random in each area. The diameters of all lianas > 1 cm dbh and trees > 10 cm dbh were measured and the proportions of tree infested with lianas was recorded. In a 0.04 ha area in each plot we identified the lianas > 1 cm dbh, recorded on which trees the lianas were growing, and noted how the lianas attached to their host trees. Vines < 1 cm dbh and trees < 10 cm dbh were counted in a 0.01 ha subplot in each 0.1 ha plot. (3) There were averages of 348 and 164 woody lianas of dbh > 2 cm ha-1 in the valley and on the hilltop, respectively. Upright (self-supporting) liana seedlings were also approximately twice as abundant in the valley. (4) A total of seventy-nine woody lianas species representing twenty-four families were recorded, with thirty-nine species in the ridge plots and fifty-three species in the valley plots. Only fourteen species were common to both areas. (5) Approximately half of the trees > 20 cm dbh were liana-infested in both the valley and hilltop plots. Trees supporting more than one liana were more numerous in the valley. The average canopy liana connected the crowns of 1.4 trees > 20 cm dbh in both areas. (6) The influences of soil fertility and frequency disturbance on the abundance of lianas are discussed with reference to data from other tropical forests.