Liana Species Research Articles

Diversity in habit expands the environmental niche of Ziziphus (Rhamnaceae)

AbstractZiziphus (Rhamnaceae) is a widely distributed genus across the Australasian and African tropics with unusual diversity in habit, and many species of significance to people. Here, we quantify the environmental limits of Ziziphus species and examine inter‐specific relationships among functional traits, environment, biome, and range size. We developed a curated geolocation database for Ziziphus and used it to examine the environmental limits of the genus relative to temperature, rainfall, and seasonality. To assess the relationship between biome and habit, permutational analysis of variance was used, while hierarchical clustering was used to determine whether habit, leaves, and fruit traits were related to biome. For 40 species with adequate geolocation data, range size was calculated to assess its relationship with habit, biomes, and cultivation. Finally, niche identity tests were used to determine niche equivalency among cultivated and non‐cultivated species. Liana species are restricted to closed forests and the geoxylic habit is found only in open grasslands. Further, habit is significantly associated with range size, with trees having on average larger range sizes than shrubs, lianas, and geoxyles, but biome was not correlated with range size. Cultivated species have ranges ~10 times that of non‐cultivated tree species and with significantly different and broader environmental niches. The unusually wide distribution of Ziziphus can be explained by its diversity of habits associated with different biomes spanning continents. This, along with the usage of many Ziziphus species by people for their fruits, expands the range and environmental occupation of the genus.

Habitat Conditions and Tree Species Shape Liana Distribution in a Subtropical Forest

Lianas are woody plants that require external support to reach the canopy. They are expanding in forests worldwide, possibly due to climate change and forest disturbance. Most studies on lianas have been conducted in tropical forests. Lianas are less explored in subtropical forests. We aimed to document the density and diversity of lianas, to test how habitat condition and the distribution of tree species affect the distributions of lianas based on data from a fully mapped 20 ha plot in subtropical China. We analyzed habitat association by fitting a generalized linear model with family-level liana abundance as response variable and family identity, and its interaction terms with topographic variables (slope, convexity, elevation, and sin(aspect)), as explanatory variables. We focused on the spatial associations of three liana species and 82 tree species with ≥100 individuals using the pair correlation function and redundancy analysis. We found a total of 1305 lianas, falling into 26 species, and 16 families, in the 20 ha plot. They accounted for 1.5% of individuals, 11.7% of species, and 0.4% of total basal area of woody plants in the plot. There were large variations in distributions of liana with respect to the four topographic variables among families, contrasting with former findings suggesting that lianas favor dry and hot habitats. The three most abundant liana species showed non-random associations with tree species, and they tended to positively associate with similar tree species but negatively associate with different tree species. The distribution of tree species explained 21.8% of variance in liana distribution. Our study suggested that both habitat conditions and tree composition intervene in determining liana distributions and that habitat heterogeneity may be a mechanism for liana diversity maintenance. Our study provides a basic understanding of liana diversity and distribution in this subtropical forest and contributes to future planning of liana studies and diversity conservation in subtropical forests under climate change.

Analysis of the Natural and Cultural Dendroflora of the North-Western Zone of the Greater Caucasus

The role of specially protected natural monuments in the conservation of biological diversity is irreplaceable. Many reserves have been established in order to expand the network of specially protected natural areas of the Republic of Azerbaijan, to preserve biodiversity, and to use natural resources efficiently. Along with the State Nature Reserves, new parks and gardens have recently been built, with Eldar pine, acacia, alder, beech, etc. in the natural flora. Along with plants, trees and shrubs of the world flora (new species of catalpa, juniper, pine, cypress, etc.) were widely used. The research revealed that 81 species of natural flora and 36 species of alien flora were used in landscaping. Among the plants belonging to the alien flora, lilac catalpa, Kokatan tecoma, Japanese daisy, evergreen cypress plays a dominant role in the cultural flora on landscaping. The most commonly used species of local flora are oak, juniper, white acacia, sycamore, maple, hornbeam, ash, linden. The cultural dendroflora of Zagatala-Balakan region is represented by 44 taxa and 117 species of trees and shrubs of 91 genera; including 4 families, 7 genera and 16 species of gymnosperms; according to their life-stages: 42 species of trees, 51 species of shrubs, 5 species of lianas, 13 species of ornamental flowers, 1 species of cover plants; There are 80 species of natural flora and 37 species of alien flora.

Frugivore community composition and interaction frequency are vertically stratified in a liana species fruiting across forest strata

Frugivore community composition and interaction frequency are vertically stratified in a liana species fruiting across forest strata

Whole-Plant Seedling Functional Traits Suggest Lianas Also Support “Fast-Slow” Plant Economics Spectrum

Lianas are predicted to perform better than trees during seasonal drought among tropical forests, which has substantial implications for tree and forest dynamics. Here, we use whole-plant trait comparison to test whether lianas allocated on the resource acquisitive end of the continuum of woody plant strategies. We measured morphological and biomass allocation traits for seedlings of 153 species of trees and lianas occurring in a tropical forest in Thailand during the dry season. We first compared trait differences between lianas and trees directly, and then classified all species based on their trait similarities. We found that liana seedlings had significantly higher specific leaf areas and specific stem lengths than co-occurring tree seedlings. Trait similarity classification resulted in a liana-dominated cluster and a tree-dominated cluster. Compared to the tree-dominated cluster, species in the liana-dominated cluster were characterized by a consistent pattern of lower dry matter content and cheaper and more efficient per dry mass unit investment in both above- and below-ground organs. The consistency of all organs operating in tandem for dry matter content, together with optimized investment in them per mass unit, implied that the lianas and trees can be highly overlapped on the strategy gradient of the resource acquisition continuum.

Distribution of Liana Richness and Abundance in the Forest of Papua New Guinea

This study surveys liana communities at 26 sites across undisturbed and disturbed forests from 70 to 2,700 m above sea level in northern parts of Papua New Guinea (PNG). The assessment was conducted following the Papua New Guinea National Forest Inventory (NFI) manual. The results show a total diversity of 68 genera of lianas, belonging to 33 families. No significant difference was observed in abundance of liana species between lowland unlogged (i.e., primary and pristine) and logged (disturbed) forests and lower montane unlogged forests. Richness is not significantly different between lowland and montane sites, as opposed to outcomes in other studies which have often reported a decrease in species richness with elevation. Both types of lowland forests do not show indicator genera, while the unlogged montane forests are characterized by Rubus and Sabia genera. The study shows a high taxonomic richness of lianas in PNG, supporting previous research and underlining that they make a significant contribution to the overall woody species richness and to the ecology and complexity of PNG forest.

Flower-Pollinator Interactions in Liana ( Caesalpinia cucullataRoxb.) in a Tropical Rain Forest of Mizoram

Lianas (woody climbers) are relatively underexplored life forms of many forests, which predominantly forms tropical forests and provide food and shelter to a variety of animals. A study on flower-pollinator interactions in Roxb. was conducted in the Caesalpinia cucullatatropical rain forest of Indo-Burma hot spot at Tanhril area of Aizawl district of Mizoram. Floral visitors of were monitored and C. cucullatarecorded during 24 field days, four to six hour per day with a total of about one hundred hours during the flowering season of November–December, 2016. The flowers of were found to be visited by three insect species belonging three families; nine C. cucullata passeriformes birds belonging eight families and one Hoary-bellied Himalayan squirrel (Irrawaddy squirrel) belonging family Scuiridae. Birds and squirrel mainly visited the flowers in morning hours while butterflies and bee exhibited diurnal pattern of foraging. The results revealed s that the bird pollination is supported by butterflies in . The flowers of would be excellent food resource to the dependent C. cucullata C. cucullata animal species during dry cold period in the extreme tropical sloppy mountain forest site when availability of floral resource is very scarce. Therefore, could be a valuable liana species for the conservation of valuable species of insects, birds and squirrels.

Climate Change Affects Reproductive Phenology in Lianas of Australia’s Wet Tropics

Lianas are increasing in abundance in many tropical forests. This increase can alter forest structure and decrease both carbon storage and tree diversityviaantagonistic relationships between lianas and their host trees. Climate change is postulated as an underlying driver of increasing liana abundances,viaincreases in dry-season length, forest-disturbance events, and atmospheric CO2concentrations; all factors thought to favour lianas. However, the impact of climate change on liana reproductive phenology, an underlying determinant of liana abundance, has been little studied, particularly outside of Neotropical forests. Over a 15-year period (2000–2014), we examined the phenological patterns of a liana community in intact rainforests of the Wet Tropics bioregion of Australia; a World Heritage Area and hotspot of floral diversity. Specifically, we assessed (1) flowering and fruiting patterns of liana species; (2) potential climate drivers of flowering and fruiting activity; and (3) the influence of El Niño-related climatic disturbances on liana phenology. We found that flowering and fruiting of the studied liana species increased over time. Liana reproduction, moreover, rose in apparent response to higher temperatures and reduced rainfall. Finally, we found flowering and fruiting of the liana species increased following El Niño events. These results suggest that liana reproduction and abundance are likely to increase under predicted future climate regimes, with potentially important impacts on the survival, growth, and reproduction of resident trees and thus the overall health of Australian tropical rainforests.

Survivorship and yield of a harvested population of Forsteronia glabrescens.

The exploitation of non-timber forest products may be an opportunity to reconcile the utilization of biological resources with biodiversity conservation. In Southern Brazil, the exploitation of liana stems for handicraft makes up an important part of the income of indigenous Kaingang people. In this study we evaluated the effects of stem harvesting on the survivorship of Forsteronia glabrescens Müll.Arg, the most exploited liana species in the region. We marked and monitored the survivorship, sprouting, changes in stem diameter and resource yield in control and harvested plots with two different resting times-six and twelve months. We associated variables of interest with individual attributes, harvesting regime and vegetation descriptors through linear mixed modelling. Survivorship and resource yield were lower in the harvested groups than in the control group, although the mean stem diameter was higher. Plants with larger stem diameter presented higher survival odds. Either six or twelve months of resting between harvests were not sufficient to recompose the yield and compensate mortality. Harvesting twice a year increases yield but reduces survivorship. Our results point that the sustainable exploitation of F. glabrescens require either large areas, low pressure or resting periods longer than the ones we tested.

Species density diverges after forest fragmentation in lianescent Machaerium Pers. (Fabaceae) in Central Amazonia

Liana density is positively associated with forest fragmentation. The process of colonization by lianas is often reported without considering species composition, and consequent changes in liana species composition is relatively unexplored. To understand the compositional change associated with disturbance, we inventoried lianas in permanent plots of the Biological Dynamics of Forest Fragments Project (BDFFP), north of Manaus, Central Amazonia, Brazil. This analysis was focused exclusively on species of the diverse genus Machaerium Pers. (Fabaceae). All lianas with DBH ≥ 2 cm were marked, measured, collected, and identified to the species level in 34 1-ha plots, distributed in continuous and fragmented forests. Density data were analyzed at three hierarchical taxonomic levels: the whole liana community, the genus Machaerium, and each species within Machaerium. At both the generic and species levels, we calculated absolute and relative density. Density (absolute and relative) was evaluated using two indicators of forest disturbance: (1) continuous versus fragmented forest, and (2) plot proximity to forest edge. We employed Generalized Linear Mixed Model with Template Model Builder for analyses. As expected, whole community liana density was positively related to forest disturbance. However, absolute density of the genus Machaerium was not affected by edge or by forest fragmentation, and consequently relative density of the genus Machaerium was reduced. Among the eight species of Machaerium, we found distinct patterns of response to disturbance. Absolute densities of M. hoehneanum and M. aureiflorum were positively affected by forest disturbance, similar to the pattern of the whole liana community, while absolute densities for M. macrophyllum and M. ferox were negatively affected. Absolute densities of the other four species (M. madeirense, M. leiophyllum, M. multifoliolatum, and M. quinata) were not affected by fragmentation indicators. The relative density of six of the eight Machaerium species was negatively affected by forest fragmentation. The variation of responses in closely related species of lianas suggests that liana species are neither uniformly nor always positively affected by forest fragmentation.

Comparative Analysis of Chloroplast Genomes of Dalbergia Species for Identification and Phylogenetic Analysis.

Dalbergia L.f. is a pantropical genus consisting of 269 species of trees, shrubs, and woody lianas. This genus is listed in CITES Appendices because of illegal logging and trafficking driven by the high economic value of its heartwood. Some species are also used medicinally. Species identification of Dalbergia timber and herbs is challenging but essential for CITES implementation. Molecular methods had been developed for some timber species, mostly from Madagascar and Southeast Asia, but medicinal species in south China were usually not included in those studies. Here, we sequenced and assembled the chloroplast genomes of five Dalbergia species native to Hong Kong, four of which are medicinal plants. Our aim is to find potential genetic markers for the identification of medicinal Dalbergia species based on divergence hotspots detected in chloroplast genomes after comparative and phylogenetic analysis. Dalbergia chloroplast genomes displayed the typical quadripartite structure, with the 50 kb inversion found in most Papilionoideae lineages. Their sizes and gene content are well conserved. Phylogenetic tree of Dalbergia chloroplast genomes showed an overall topology similar to that of ITS sequences. Four divergence hotspots (trnL(UAA)-trnT(UGU), ndhG-ndhI, ycf1a and ycf1b) were identified and candidate markers for identification of several Dalbergia species were suggested.

Hydro-Edaphic Gradient and Phylogenetic History Explain the Landscape Distribution of a Highly Diverse Clade of Lianas in the Brazilian Amazon

Plant distribution patterns may indicate habitat specialization either by closely related species with conserved traits or by phylogenetically distant species with converging traits. Lianas represent a large proportion of the overall tropical species diversity and abundance. Despite their importance, little is known about the relationship between habitat specialization and the phylogenetic structure of lianas, especially at the landscape scale where forest disturbances and hydro-edaphic gradients are crucial. To explore this knowledge gap, we used one of the most diverse lineages of Neotropical lianas to test whether (i) landscape environmental gradients explain liana species diversity and composition, (ii) habitat specialization is phylogenetically conserved along ecological gradients, and (iii) closely related liana species have more similar distribution patterns. We hypothesized that hydro-edaphic and forest disturbance gradients determine the compartmentalization of a subset of closely related species in different portions of the ecological gradients. To test our hypothesis, we examined the distribution of the tribe Bignonieae on 34 1-ha permanent plots systematically distributed over a 42 km2 forested landscape area in Central Amazon. We used proxies for the hydro-edaphic, forest disturbance, and soil nutrient gradients. Liana diversity increased along the hydro-edaphic gradient (i.e., toward dry plateaus), but slightly decreased along the forest disturbance gradient. Further, we found evidence of habitat specialization along the hydro-edaphic gradient on plateaus with deeper water tables, where liana assemblages are subsets of closely related species, exhibiting phylogenetic clustering. The opposite pattern was found on valleys, where liana assemblages were phylogenetically overdispersed. Our results support the role of phylogenetic niche conservatism on plateaus and a stronger environmental filter within the hydrologically dynamic valleys, associated with a functional convergence of more distantly related species. The selection of more distantly related species on hydrologically dynamic areas is a general pattern among trees, palms and now lianas. We conclude that ecological filters and phylogenetic history have played fundamental roles in structuring liana assemblages unevenly at the landscape scale. Fine-scale hydrology determines several aspects of plant community organization, whose mechanisms need to be experimentally investigated in the Amazon basin.

Bauhinia (Leguminosae) Fossils from the Paleogene of Southwestern China and Its Species Accumulation in Asia

Extant Bauhinia (Leguminosae) is a genus of 300 species of trees, shrubs, and lianas, widely distributed in pantropical areas, but its diversification history in southeastern Asia, one of its centers of highest diversity, remains unclear. We report new fossils of three Bauhinia species with cuticular preservation from the Paleogene of Puyang Basin, southwestern China. Our finding likely extends the emergence of Bauhinia in Asia to the late Eocene. Together with previously reported fossil records, we show that the diversification of Bauhina in Asia and the phenomenon of a small region harboring multiple Bauhinia species in southwestern China could be traced back to the Paleogene.

Diameters of phloem sieve elements can predict stem growth rates of woody plants.

Understanding forest dynamics is crucial to addressing climate change and reforestation challenges. Plant anatomy can help predict growth rates of woody plants, contributing key information on forest dynamics. Although features of the water-transport system (xylem) have long been used to predict plant growth, the potential contribution of carbon-transporting tissue (phloem) remains virtually unexplored. Here, we use data from 347 woody plant species to investigate whether species-specific stem diameter growth rates can be predicted by the diameter of both the xylem and phloem conducting cells when corrected for phylogenetic relatedness. We found positive correlations between growth rate, phloem sieve element diameter and xylem vessel diameter in liana species sampled in the field. Moreover, we obtained similar results for data extracted from the Xylem Database, an online repository of functional, anatomical and image data for woody plant species. Information from this database confirmed the correlation of sieve element diameter and growth rate across woody plants of various growth forms. Furthermore, we used data subsets to explore potential influences of biomes, growth forms and botanical family association. Subsequently, we combined anatomical and geoclimatic data to train an artificial neural network to predict growth rates. Our results demonstrate that sugar transport architecture is associated with growth rate to a similar degree as water-transport architecture. Furthermore, our results illustrate the potential value of artificial neural networks for modeling plant growth under future climatic scenarios.

Two Co-occurring Liana Species Strongly Differ in Their Hydraulic Traits in a Water-Limited Neotropical Forest

Lianas are a key growth form in tropical forests. They are believed to be strong competitors for water, thanks to their presumed efficient vascular systems. However, despite being a large polyphyletic group, they are currently often considered as a functionally homogeneous entity. In this study, we challenged this assumption by estimating the variability in hydraulic traits of two common, co-occurring liana species in a water-limited environment, namely, a seasonally dry tropical forest in Costa Rica. We measured vulnerability to embolism at the leaf and branch levels using two different methods (optical and acoustic vulnerability) and found that both species had very different hydraulic properties. Compared to reported P50values in literature, we found two extreme P50values: a low value forBignonia diversifolia(−4.30 ± 0.54 MPa at the leaf level; −7.42 ± 0.54 MPa at the branch level) and a high value forCissus microcarpa(−1.07 ± 0.14 at the leaf level; −1.20 ± 0.05 MPa at the branch level). Furthermore,B. diversifoliahad a higher apparent modulus of elasticity in the radial direction (556.6 ± 401.0 MPa) and a variable midday water potential. On the other hand,C. microcarpahad a low apparent modulus of elasticity in the radial direction (37.8 ± 26.3 MPa) and a high branch water content, which enabled the species to keep its water potential stable during the dehydration experiments and during a drought period in the field. This mechanism may enable this species to coexist with species that are more resistant to drought-induced embolisms such asB. diversifolia. Although only two species were studied, considerable overlap was found between the range of hydraulic properties of trees growing in the same location and trees and lianas growing in two forests in Panama. These findings demonstrate that lianas cannot be considered as a homogeneous group and call for further research into the intra-growth form diversity of liana properties.

Edge disturbance shapes liana diversity and abundance but not liana-tree interaction network patterns in moist semi-deciduous forests, Ghana.

Edge disturbance can drive liana community changes and alter liana‐tree interaction networks, with ramifications for forest functioning. Understanding edge effects on liana community structure and liana‐tree interactions is therefore essential for forest management and conservation. We evaluated the response patterns of liana community structure and liana‐tree interaction structure to forest edge in two moist semi‐deciduous forests in Ghana (Asenanyo and Suhuma Forest Reserves: AFR and SFR, respectively). Liana community structure and liana‐tree interactions were assessed in 24 50 × 50 m randomly located plots in three forest sites (edge, interior and deep‐interior) established at 0–50 m, 200 m and 400 m from edge. Edge effects positively and negatively influenced liana diversity in forest edges of AFR and SFR, respectively. There was a positive influence of edge disturbance on liana abundance in both forests. We observed anti‐nested structure in all the liana‐tree networks in AFR, while no nestedness was observed in the networks in SFR. The networks in both forests were less connected, and thus more modular and specialised than their null models. Many liana and tree species were specialised, with specialisation tending to be symmetrical. The plant species played different roles in relation to modularity. Most of the species acted as peripherals (specialists), with only a few species having structural importance to the networks. The latter species group consisted of connectors (generalists) and hubs (highly connected generalists). Some of the species showed consistency in their roles across the sites, while the roles of other species changed. Generally, liana species co‐occurred randomly on tree species in all the forest sites, except edge site in AFR where lianas showed positive co‐occurrence. Our findings deepen our understanding of the response of liana communities and liana‐tree interactions to forest edge disturbance, which are useful for managing forest edge.

Transfer of Millettia pachycarpa and M. entadoides to Derris (Fabaceae), supported by morphological and molecular data

Derris Lour. and Millettia Wight & Arn. are two genera of the tribe Millettieae (Fabaceae). The biggest difference between the two genera is that Derris has indehiscent, thin and winged pods, while Millettia has dehiscent, compressed and wingless pods, but some exceptions also exist. Because of their tardily dehiscent, inflated and wingless pods, two Asian liana species, Millettia pachycarpa Benth. and M. entadoides Z. Wei, were previously placed in Millettia sect. Macrospermae Dunn. However, their vegetative and floral characters, as well as the shape of seeds match with those of Derris very well. Phylogenetic analyses based on three chloroplast markers (trnK/matK, trnL-F IGS, and psbA-trnH IGS), and nuclear ITS/5.8S showed that the two species are nested within Derris, and separate from other samples of Millettia species with strong support. Therefore, the two species should be transferred from Millettia to Derris to maintain the monophyly of the latter, which inevitably results in an emendation of the generic circumscription of Derris. Due to the existence of Derris pachycarpa Merr., the second earliest valid epithet “taiwaniana” should be used for this taxon when transfering Millettia pachycarpa Benth. to Derris. Thus, a new combination, Derris taiwaniana (Hayata) Z.Q. Song, is proposed here. Millettia entadoides Z. Wei is recombined as Derris entadoides (Z. Wei) Z.Q. Song. The floral morphology of D. entadoides is described here for the first time, and it is reported as a new record from Thailand in this study.

Pollution monitoring using the leaf-deposited particulates and magnetism of the leaves of 23 plant species in a semi-arid city, Northwest China

We conducted a study of the leaf-deposited particles and magnetism of plant leaves in different functional areas (traffic areas, parks, and residential areas) in Lanzhou, China. The saturation isothermal remanent magnetization (SIRM) of the washed and unwashed leaves of 23 plant species (including evergreen shrubs, deciduous shrubs, deciduous liana species, and deciduous trees) at three sampling heights (0.5 m, 1.5 m, and 2.5 m) was measured. In addition, the mass of the leaf-deposited particles was measured using the elution-filtration method and the leaf morphological characteristics were determined by scanning electronic microscope (SEM) analysis. The results revealed significant differences in particle retention capacity among the 23 plant species, with evergreen shrub species at the heights of 0.5 m and 1.5 m having higher particle concentrations. Buxus sinica, Buxus megistophylla, Prunus cerasifera, and Ligustrum×vicaryi were the most effective plant species for accumulating particles. The SEM results showed that leaves with a relatively complex adaxial surface (such as deep grooves and protrusions) were more effective at accumulating particles. The SIRM of washed leaves, unwashed leaves, and leaf-deposited particles were significantly higher in traffic areas than in parks and residential areas. In addition, significant correlations were found between SIRM of unwashed leaves and leaf-deposited particles and the mass of leaf-deposited particles, and therefore the leaf magnetic properties effectively reflect levels of PM pollution under different environmental conditions. Overall, our results provide a valuable reference for the selection of plant species with high particle retention capacity that is suitable for urban greening and pollution mitigation.

БОТАНИЧЕСКАЯ ОЦЕНКА ЛЕКАРСТВЕННОГО ПОТЕНЦИАЛА ДРЕВОГУБЦЕВ (CELASTRUS L.)

The genus Celastrus L. (bittersweets) includes about 35 species of woody lianas, growing in Australia, Madagascar, America and Asia, including Russian Far East. Some species, used in Russia and abroad for vertical gardening are not only decorative, but partially edible and even medicinal. The content of biologically active compounds in the leaves and other structures of bittersweets has been studied fragmentarily. Cyclitol, catechins, and glycosides of kaempferol and quercetin were found in plants. It is known about the use of bittersweets in folk and modern medicine in Russia, as well as India, China and other Asian countries. Information on leaf productivity of species, growing in Moscow region, is not enough. Comparative botanical evaluation of shoots and leaves of four species and one variety of bittersweets from collection of N.V. Tsitsin’s Botanical Garden of the Russian Academy of Sciences was carried out. A total of 19–20 shoots of each taxon – C. rugosus, C. flagellaris, C. scandens, C. strigillosus and C. orbiculatus var. punctatus – were studied. In each taxon the shape of leaves, their number on shoot were determined; mass, length and width of the leaf were studied. The average, maximum and minimum morphometric values were determined and statistically processed. The leaves were found to vary greatly in shape, number per shoot (from 42 for C. orbiculatus var. punctatus to 21 for C. strigillosus), average weight (from 0.42 ± 0.03 for C. strigillosus to 0.24 ± 0.01 g for C. orbiculatus var. punctatus), average weight per shoot (from 8.82 g for C. strigillosus to 10.92 g for C. scandens), average length (from 6.74 ± 0.11 cm for C. flagellaris to 5.73 ± 0.18 cm for C. orbiculatus var. punctatus) and average width (from 4.89 ± 0.21 cm for C. strigillosus to 3.34 ± 0.09 cm for C. orbiculatus var.punctatus). Despite the significant variability of leaves, C. rugosus, C. flagellaris, C. scandens, C. strigillosus, introduced in Moscow region, and C. orbiculatus var. punctatus, having the lowest leaf productivity, can be recommended for further study as a medicinal raw material.

Can Stand Density and Stem Stratification Be Indicators of Aboveground Biomass in Woody Plant Recruitment in Savannah

Stem density and size stratification of woody species are informative of vegetation conditions and its physiognomy in savannah whereas their variation influence woody population functioning. Current study endeavoured to evaluate the stand density and size variability of woody species related to aboveground biomass in a Sudanian savannah. Total height, stem diameter at breast height (dbh) ≥ 5 cm were measured in 30 plots of 50 m × 20 m laid in respect to vegetation type as bowal, shrubland and woodland. Species diversity, stem density, height and basal area were calculated and compared across sites and variation in stem dbh classes evaluated. Total aboveground biomass was estimated and thereafter linear relationships were established between stand density and aboveground biomass, and basal area. Results revealed three different sites with an overall 58 species identified through vegetation type including liana species (4 stems in bowal) with 18 genera and 42 families. Fabaceae Combretaceae, Anacardiaceae and Rubiaceae were dominant families. Small sized trees represented 72% of total stem density considered in structure with significant higher basal area, while large sized trees as 28% were scarcely distributed. More than 70% variation in biomass was due to stem density and basal area with a dominance of small trees. In conclusion increase size in tree community indicated increase in accumulated aboveground biomass as positive regeneration features. But, change in vegetation structure strongly influence negatively species ability to grow from lower to upper size class and later on, disrupt ecosystem functioning. Plant stem density and stratification could be considered as indicators of aboveground biomass fluctuating in regeneration monitoring.