Climber infestation and relationship with host tree species abundance and structure in a Nigerian secondary lowland rainforest

Abstract

The composition, diversity, structure and host preference of climbers in a tropical lowland rain forest at Ile-Ife were examined in this study. Six plots (0.25 ha) were established in the secondary forest. In each plot, all the tree species ≥ 2 m in height were identified to species level and enumerated. The trees were examined for the presence of climbers and the number of climbers counted. The girth at breast height (gbh) of both trees and lianas were measured. The data collected were used to establish the floristic composition, density, diversity, evenness, basal area and climber infestation on tree species in the forest. Relationship and association of climber infestation on host species and the climber structural parameters were examined. Host bark texture was determined visually. There were 61 climber species distributed into 53 genera and 28 families. Host species bark structure had no significant relationship with climber infestation in the forest. There was a positive relationship between the abundance of host species and climbers. Although bark structure and climber infestation showed no significant association with infestation, girth sizes of host species and abundance of tree species had more influence on climber infestation in the forest.