Impacts of forest management on liana abundance and liana–tree relationships in a tropical forest in Malaysia and implications for conservation

Abstract

This study analysed the impact of the Malayan Uniform management System (MUS) on liana abundance and their relationship with trees in the Bukit Panchor Forest Reserve, Malaysia. Two types of MUS-treated forest, medium-term MUS (M-MUS) and long-term MUS (L-MUS), were identified based on the management time span (19 and 42 years, respectively). Trees with diameter at breast height ≥ 10 cm were identified and examined for liana presence (diameter ≥ 2 cm) in ten 40 m × 40 m plots within each forest. Tree seedling and sapling abundance were also determined in a randomly selected 20 m × 20 m subplot within each plot. Liana abundance and infestation rates were significantly higher in the untreated forest than under the M-MUS, although they did not differ from those under the L-MUS. Tree diameter related significantly with liana load and basal area in all the forests except the M-MUS, which contained relatively more uniform diameter trees. Reduction in liana abundance and infestation in the treated forests favoured natural regeneration of the trees. Liana cutting was effective in reducing liana abundance and infestation in the medium term but not in the long term. Therefore, further liana cutting in the long term may be needed to control lianas.