Liana Species Research Articles

Seasonal and vertical distribution of floral resources and its implications for the conservation of pollinators

The diversity of plant species in blooming throughout the year is a way of ensuring the presence of floral resources, as the spatiotemporal distribution of these resources assists in the movement of pollinators and guarantees local ecosystem services. The aim of this study was to describe the seasonal variations in the vertical distribution of the floral resources that keep the pollinators in Cerrado areas, the savanna region in Central Brazil, a biodiversity hotspot that depends more than 80% on bees for pollination. We studied four cerrado stricto sensu areas and evaluated monthly the flowering phenology, taking into account the number of individuals for each plant species blooming in all vertical strata (arboreal, shrubby, herbaceous, and lianas) and main floral resources (nectar, pollen, and floral oil). We evaluated the annual distribution of flowering plant species and individuals, and the availability of floral resources. We found a seasonal flowering pattern for the whole cerrado stricto sensu, with differences between areas, strata and floral resources types. The floral resources varied idiosyncratically among the strata over time, suggesting complementary blooming patterns throughout the year. The shrubby, herbaceous and liana species were key determinants in the availability of floral resources through the seasons. Our results reinforce the importance of including all the strata in plant surveys, as well as highlight the importance of the vertical stratification in the Cerrado plant formations as a source of floral resources during the time in which there are fewer resources available for pollinators in surrounding forest areas.

Phytochemical and biological overview of genus "Bignonia" (1969-2018)

Bignonia L. is the fifth largest genus in the tribe Bignonieae, with 31 lianas species. Bignonia plants are widely used in traditional medicine as skin ailments like fungal infections, postpartum haemorrhage, malaria, diabetes and pneumonia. Many literature reported that Bignonia species contained different classes of active constituents as phenylethanoids, phenolics, lignans, flavonoids, coumarins and xanthones. Additionally, they demonstrated a wide range of biological activities as cytotoxic, wound healing, antidiabetic, sleep induction, gastroprotection, anti-obesity and insecticidal activities. This review revealed that only 15 species have been reported in the literature. Moreover, Bignonia plants need further studies as they are considered a good source for bioactive natural products.

Clearcutting and selective logging have inconsistent effects on liana diversity and abundance but not on liana–tree interaction networks

AbstractUnderstanding the effects of forest management on lianas and their interaction with trees is an important step toward effective forest management. Our study therefore aimed at quantifying the patterns of liana diversity and abundance, and liana–tree interaction network structure in response to logging disturbance in a moist semi‐deciduous forest in Ghana. We sampled lianas (diameter at 1.3 m ≥ 1 cm) and their host trees (diameter at breast height ≥5 cm) in 90 20 × 20 m plots among three forest management regimes: clearcut‐logged, selectively logged, and old‐growth forests. Liana species diversity and abundance in the selectively logged forest was similar to that of the old‐growth forest, while that in clearcut‐logged forest was significantly lower than both above‐mentioned forest types. Liana–tree interaction networks showed anti‐nested structure, which is a form of non‐random community organization. There were significant modularity and degree of specialization, but no significant connectance in the network structure. Largely, most of the species were peripherals, while a few species acted as structurally important species (i.e., module hubs, network hubs, and connectors) in the three networks. A different set of species acted as structurally important species in the different forest management regimes. Our findings call for a re‐examination of clearcutting logging in forest management in view of its negative effects on lianas, and we recommend prioritizing important modules in the liana–tree networks for future conservation.

Morpho-physiological performance of Mikania glomerata Spreng. and Mikania laevigata Sch. Bip ex Baker plants under different light conditions

ABSTRACT (Morpho-physiological performance of Mikania glomerata Spreng. and Mikania laevigata Sch. Bip ex Baker plants under different light conditions). In tropical and subtropical zones, lianas play important roles in the process of ecological succession. This study aims to evaluate the photosynthetic and morpho-physiological performance between two lianas species from Mikania genus in response to different levels of radiation: full sun (I0), 25% (I25), 50% (I50), and 75% (I75) retention of solar radiation flux. Plants grown under I75 showed a reduced net photosynthetic rate (A). We observed dynamic photoinhibition at I0 during hours of high irradiation and temperature. The highest and lowest leaf chlorophyll content occurred at I75 and I0, respectively, while carotenoids/total chlorophyll and leaf thickness increased under I0. Total dry mass was higher in plants grown at I0 and I25. However, A values and biomass production of Mikania laevigata were higher at I25, while for Mikania glomerata greater biomass accumulation was observed between I0-I50. Therefore, we concluded that M. laevigata and M. glomerata have different morpho-physiological performances under same the radiation conditions.

Коллекция тропических и субтропических лиан в оранжереях Ботанического сада Уральского отделения Российской академии наук

Data on the taxonomic composition of tropical and subtropical lianas in the greenhouse collection of the Botanical Garden of the Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences are presented. Currently, the collection of lianas includes 136 species (65 varieties and hybrids), 48 genera, 29 families. The largest families are Araceae (60 species) and Vitaceae (13 species), the largest generas are Philodendron (43 species) and Passiflora (9 species). More than half of the species are representatives of the flora of South and Central America (54.8 %). The collection includes endemics of western and southwestern Madagascar; New Zealand; Ecuador and South Brazil. The most numerous biomorphological group is the group of leaning lianas – 63 species. We estimated the success of the introduction and the decorative effect of blooms and leaf of the lianas in the collection. Our results showed about 55 % of species can be assigned to the groups of promising and very promising plants for introduction. The other part of the collection (45 % of species) is unpromising. The main reasons for the decrease in the success of the introduction of these species are the absence of blooms and, accordingly, of germinating seeds. Bloom is observed only in 50 species of lianas in the greenhouse collection. About 20 species had the highest estimates of the decorativeness of bloom (8–9 points). High decorative qualities of non-bloom species are provided by leaves of large size, unusual shape, color or surface texture.

Lianas collection from the Botanical Garden and its science-practice utilization

Collection of many years’ lianas gathered in Botanical Garden, placed in south-taiga boreal area of Middle Ural. The collection bank of voluble plants is exposed of 12 genus and 17 families growing wild species of lianas originating from various areas of the Earth temperate zone and contains of more than 200 taxons. The most imposing among them is collection of genus Clematis L., which contains species of natural flora and sorts of Clematis from Russian and World selection of more than 200 taxons. Taxons are listed and analyzed by biomorphic and geographic criteria. Many years observing of collected specimens allowed getting important data about influence of climatological changes on winter hardness and procreational functions Aristolochia manschuriensis, A. macrophylla.

Soil nutrients, canopy gaps and topography affect liana distribution in a tropical seasonal rain forest in southwestern China

AbstractQuestionsLianas are a conspicuous element of tropical forests but have largely been ignored in species‐level vegetation surveys. As a result, there is limited understanding of how environmental factors structure liana communities.LocationA 20‐ha forest dynamics plot in Xishuangbanna National Nature Reserve, southwestern China.MethodsWe evaluated the distribution of the 50 most abundant liana species, comprising >18,000 individuals, in the 20‐ha forest plot. Ordination analysis and generalized linear mixed models were used to evaluate how species distribution and abundance are associated with soil pH, soil phosphorus (P), soil nitrogen (N), and soil potassium (K), canopy gaps and topography. We calculated the average weighted distribution as a proxy for the optimum resource condition for each species.ResultsThe first two axes of a canonical correspondence analysis explained 65% of the variation in liana species composition, with pH and P being the strongest drivers and highly correlated with each other. We modelled the responses of liana species to soil nutrients, and found a negative, unimodal or positive response of liana abundance with increasing soil nutrient concentrations. Forty‐six of the 50 species occurred under significantly higher or lower soil nutrient conditions than expected at random. Lianas mainly separated along the P gradient, whereas for N and K most liana species tended to occupy locations with high nutrient concentrations.ConclusionsAlthough lianas are thought to be notoriously light‐demanding, soil conditions were stronger drivers of liana species distribution than gaps. Species differences in distributions were mainly driven by soil gradients in pH and P, highlighting the importance of soil nutrient status for liana niche partitioning in wet tropical forests on highly weathered soils. Most liana species had high resource requirements for N, K and light, which come along with their fast growth and acquisitive resource use strategy. Hence, below‐ground resource availability plays an important role in shaping the assembly of liana communities.

RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN FRUGIVOROUS- BIRDS AND THEIR HABITATS IN FRAGMENTED FOREST AREAS NEAR TO VILLAVICENCIO CITY, VILLAVICENCIO, META, COLOMBIA.

The degradation of the Llanos foothill ecosystems is one of the biggest ecological problems in the areas surrounding the city of Villavicencio, Meta. The generation of fragments produces new conditions for the establishment of bird guilds. This study was carried out during 2017 - 2018 in areas of the campus Loma Linda at the Santo Tomas University. It was evaluated whether the forest interior, forest border and grassland areas constitute habitats that support the establishment of frugivorous birds. The key factors that affect the richness, diversity and abundance of bird species were identified, from which recommendations were made for the establishment of conservation measures. The richness of birds and their abundance was positively correlated with intermediate values of plant richness and diversity and with the presence and coverage of species of palms and lianas. The abundance and diversity of frugivorous birds were higher in border areas and lower in grasslands and forest interiors. Apparently the diversity of the habitat in border areas of fragmented lands increases the diversity of frugivorous birds through an increase in the abundance values. Artificial enrichment is recommended with different tree, shrubs and palms species planted in the edge and interior areas of the forest, and the maintenance of remaining trees and shrubs in the areas of shrub grasslands. Keywords : fragmentation, frugivorous-birds, diversity, natural regeneration.

A multi-angular invariant spectral index for the estimation of leaf water content across a wide range of plant species in different growth stages

Plant leaf water content plays a key role in several biogeochemical processes, such as photosynthesis, evapotranspiration, and net primary production. Yet, the accurate estimation of leaf water content using multi-angular reflectance measurements across different plant species is still challenging. This study aims to propose a generic spectral index for accurately estimating equivalent water thickness (EWT) when multi-angular spectral reflection is considered. The index was selected to have the format of a difference ratio using three reflectance factors. The reflectance factor at 410 nm was used to reduce the specular reflection from the leaf surface in the 400–2500 nm range, and the ratio of the wavelengths in the 1268–1285 nm range (at non-water absorption wavelengths) to the wavelengths in the 1339–1346 nm range (at water absorption wavelengths) strengthened the relationship with EWT for all of the sampled plant species. The modified difference ratio (MDR) index, (R1271-R410)/(R1342-R410), was linearly proportional to EWT, with R2 > 0.90, when the leaves reflection data were collected from various viewing angles. However, the relationships between some existing indices (simple difference, simple ratio, normalized difference, double difference index and difference ratio indices) and EWT at the leaf level were weak and unstable for all of the 18 plant species (including 14 broadleaf, 3 shrub, and 1 liana species) at different angles under laboratory and field conditions. Moreover, validation results from six independent datasets (n = 1800) and one modeled dataset (n = 2375) further confirmed that the algorithm derived from the proposed index (based on multi-angular reflectance factors of leaves) was not only effective for EWT estimation across a diverse set of plant species with widely variable leaf structure and water content, but also insensitive to different measurement conditions (leaf clip, integrating spheres or multi-angle measurements). The algorithm developed from this new index is generic, does not require reparameterization for each species, and can be accurately used for nondestructive EWT estimations using a simple handheld laboratory or field instrument, and thus, is convenient for agricultural and ecological studies.

Interspecific anatomical differences result in similar highly flexible stems in Bignoniaceae lianas.

Lianas are intriguing forest components in the tropics worldwide. They are characterized by thin and flexible stems, which have been related to a unique stem anatomy. Here, we hypothesized that the anatomical diversity of lianas, varying in shapes, proportions, and dimensions of tissues and cell types, would result in different stem bending stiffnesses across species. To test this hypothesis, we chose four abundant liana species of central Amazonia belonging to the monophyletic tribe Bignonieae (Bignoniaceae) and compared their basal stems for their anatomical architectures and bending properties. Measurements of anatomical architecture and bending stiffness (structural Young's modulus) included light microscopy observations and three-point bending tests, which were performed on basal stems of eight individuals from four Bignonieae species. All analyses, including comparisons among species and relationships between stem stiffness and anatomical architecture, were performed using linear models. Although the anatomical architecture of each species consists of different qualitative and quantitative combinations of both tissues and cell types in basal stems, all species analyzed showed similarly lower bending stiffnesses. This similarity was shown to be directly related to high bark contribution to the second moment of area, vessel area and ray width. Similar values of stem bending stiffness were encountered in four liana species analyzed despite their variable anatomical architectures. This pattern provides new evidence of how different quantitative combinations of tissue and cell types in the basal stems of lianas can generate similarly low levels of stiffness in a group of closely related species.

Wildfires cause shifts in liana community structure and liana-soil relationships in a moist semi-deciduous forest in Ghana

Lianas play significant ecological roles in tropical forest ecosystems, so knowledge of the factors that affect them is key to forest management. Nonetheless, there is limited information on how wildfires influence liana communities. This study therefore sought to determine the effects of wildfires on liana community structure and liana–soil associations in the Asenanyo Forest Reserve, Ghana. Thirty plots (20 × 20 m) were established in each of three forest stands (9-month-old burnt, 15-year-old burnt, unburnt) and sampled for lianas (diameter at 1.3 m from the rooting base ≥ 1 cm). Liana diversity, abundance and basal area were significantly lower in the two burnt forest stands. The 15-year-old burnt forest supported significantly higher values for these liana community attributes than the 9-month-old forest. There was a shift in liana species composition towards a more homogenized composition in the burnt forest. Liana–soil associations differed between the unburnt forest on the one hand and the two burnt forests on the other. Thus, in all, fire caused shifts in liana community structure and liana–soil associations in the forests. The findings of the study have implications for liana, fire and forest management.

Lianas explore the forest canopy more effectively than trees under drier conditions

Abstract Lianas rely on trees for support and access to high‐light positions in the forest canopy, but the implications for how lianas explore the canopy compared to trees remain understudied. We present an in situ forest canopy study to test the hypotheses that: (1) lianas favour leaf display over stem investment compared to trees and (2) lianas have greater potential to colonize non‐shaded, high‐light areas effectively than trees. We compared branches of 16 liana species with those of 16 sympatric tree species in the canopy of two lowland tropical forests with contrasting rainfall regimes in Panama using 40–50 m tall canopy cranes. One forest was relatively dry and seasonal in rainfall and associated solar radiation. The other forest was relatively wet and had a weaker seasonality. We observed that lianas were more efficient in leaf display over stem investment than trees, particularly in the forest with lower precipitation and stronger seasonality. Specifically, lianas had a lower LMA (leaf mass per unit leaf area), stronger apical dominance, higher stem slenderness and fewer leaf layers than trees. In the forest with higher precipitation and weaker seasonality, lianas also had stronger apical control and fewer leaf layers than trees, but both lianas and trees were relatively similar in LMA and stem slenderness. Our study shows that lianas more effectively explore the canopy than trees under drier conditions, but much less so under wetter conditions. We argue that lianas display a functional strategy that allows them to better intercept light than the tree species in forests with low precipitation and strong seasonality, while they are constrained to display such strategy at high precipitation – light‐limited – sites. A free Plain Language Summary can be found within the Supporting Information of this article.

Leaf and Stem Traits are Linked to Liana Growth Rate in a Subtropical Cloud Forest

There is accumulating evidence that the abundance and biomass of lianas are increasing with global climate change in the Neotropics. However, our knowledge of growth–trait relationships among lianas is surprisingly rare. Here, we monitored the relative growth rate of 2860 individuals from seven deciduous and four evergreen liana species in a 20 ha subtropical cloud forest dynamics plot at high elevation (2472–2628 m a.s.l.) in southwest China. We linked the relative growth rate of lianas with nine leaf traits associated with leaf morphology, nutrient concentrations, and water hydraulic capacity as indicated by leaf vein density, and five stem wood traits related to stem water transport capacity and wood density. Our results showed that deciduous lianas have higher relative growth rates than their evergreen counterparts. Across all lianas studied, the relative growth rate was positively correlated with the leaf area and specific leaf area, but negatively correlated with leaf dry matter content. The relative growth rate of lianas was strongly correlated with nitrogen concentration after excluding the legume liana species. The relative growth rate was decoupled from leaf phosphorus and potassium concentrations, leaf vein density, and stem vessel traits across all lianas investigated. For four evergreen lianas, there were positive associations of the relative growth rate with the leaf thickness and diameter of the largest vessels. This study is the first to illustrate the relationships of liana growth with leaf and stem traits in the high-elevation subtropical cloud forest. More studies from diverse forest ecosystems are needed to comprehensively understand the mechanism underlying liana growth patterns.

Leaflet blade epidermis and its taxonomic significance in 13 species of Bignonieae (Bignoniaceae) from Pico do Jabre, Paraíba, northeast of Brazil

Bignonieae is the largest tribe of Bignoniaceae, with 21 genera and 393 species of lianas and shrubs that are 1–3-foliolate with the terminal leaflet modified as tendrils. We examined the micromorphologies of the epidermis from the leaflet blade of 13 species of Bignonieae belonging to Amphilophium, Anemopaegma, Bignonia, Cuspidaria, Dolichandra, Fridericia, Pyrostegia, Tanaecium, and Xylophragma, from Pico do Jabre, Paraíba, Brazil. These are lianas except for Tanaecium parviflorum (shrub). We sought to identify the epidermal leaflet parameters to support their taxonomy, subject to great similarities between their vegetative characters, mainly in species of the same genus and related genera. Analyses were performed using light and scanning electron microscopy, and showed five types of epicuticular waxes, four cuticle types, three epidermal cell anticlinal wall types, and nonglandular and glandular trichomes. Hypostomatic leaves showed 10 different types of stomata, with stomatal indices from 6.21% (Bignonia ramentacea) to 23.52% (Tanaecium parviflorum), and stomatal densities from 76 stomata/mm2 (Pyrostegia venusta) to 752.9 stomata/mm2 (T. parviflorum). The presence of raphides in Amphilophium crucigerum and styloids in Fridericia pubescens constitute the first records for these genera. Epidermal micromorphology provided a set of distinctive characters with which to separate these species, representing an additional tool to support their taxonomies, as well as that of tribe Bignonieae.

Ethnobotanical study on plants used for traditional beekeeping by Dulong people in Yunnan, China

BackgroundThe Dulong (Drung) people have used plant materials in traditional beekeeping for many decades. However, there are few studies on the plants used in traditional beekeeping. Furthermore, traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) associated with beekeeping is still poorly understood. TEK and plants associated with beekeeping play an important role in the conservation of native bees and the development of beekeeping. It is therefore very urgent to investigate, record, and study the plants and TEK of Dulong beekeeping.MethodsFieldwork was conducted in the Dulong community of Gongshan County, Yunnan Province, China. Six Dulong villages were investigated. Ethnobotanical methods such as free listing, semi-structured interviews, participatory observation, and key informant interviews were used to collect data. A total of 42 Dulong respondents provided information about plants used in traditional beekeeping. TEK related to traditional beekeeping plants was documented. Citation frequency, abundance, and preference ranking of log beehive plant species were used to identify plant resources that are “easier to obtain” and “more preferred.”ResultsThere are two general methods of traditional Dulong beekeeping: living tree beekeeping and log beehive beekeeping. The investigation revealed that 38 species (in 19 families), including 30 tree species, 5 bamboo species, 2 herbaceous species, and 1 liana species, are used in traditional Dulong beekeeping. Different plant parts are used for different purposes. Twenty-seven tree species are used to make log beehives. Species from the family Pinaceae and Fagaceae are the most frequently represented. Seven of the most commonly reported species used to build log beehives were scored by ten beekeepers. Based on this scoring, the beekeepers’ most preferred species for making log beehives are Alnus nepalensis, Pinus yunnanensis, and Juglans regia.ConclusionThe Dulong people have used various plants for traditional beekeeping and have accumulated rich TEK associated with apiculture. Future research will include a nutritive components analysis of honey from traditional Dulong beekeeping and an ethnobotanical investigation of melliferous species used in traditional Dulong apicultural systems. The application of plants and TEK associated with beekeeping is important for improving livelihoods in local communities, conserving biocultural diversity, and protecting the eco-environment of the Dulongjiang area.

Using spatial models to identify refugia and guide restoration in response to an invasive plant pathogen

Abstract The global spread of invasive plant pathogens is increasing, putting natural forests and ecosystem services under threat. Spatial data can quantify range non‐overlap between invasive pathogens and their hosts to identify existing and potentially restorable refugia to enable ‘escape’ from the pathogen. In 2017, myrtle rust Austropuccinia psidii was detected in New Zealand. New Zealand has 27 native woody and liana species in the plant family susceptible to the disease (Myrtaceae), many of which are ecosystem dominants and economically important. Spatial methods were used to compare the current New Zealand distribution of myrtle rust with the modelled distributions of its potential native hosts. To guide management and set priorities for conservation of at‐risk species, areas of potential refugia where a Myrtaceae species is predicted to occur outside the pathogen range were identified under two myrtle rust distribution scenarios. Myrtle rust will thrive in New Zealand's warmer regions. Many native Myrtaceae are distributed within this area, but several species occur extensively outside the core range of the disease. Species distributed in cooler southern regions will be best placed to persist in refugia. Myrtaceae species with specific habitat requirements and narrow geographical ranges in warmer (northern) areas are likely to require ex situ or active in situ management. Even widely distributed species will benefit from the restoration of suitable habitat that supports multiple species outside the myrtle rust range. Synthesis and applications. Spatial data can be used to identify refugia and restoration opportunities, and thus inform landscape‐level management responses to invasive pathogens. This approach can guide decisions over where to implement in situ (e.g. fungicide spraying) versus ex situ (e.g. seed banking, botanic gardens) management efforts.

Increasing liana frequency in temperate European forest understories is driven by ivy

The increasing prevalence of woody liana species has been widely observed across the neotropics, but observations from temperate regions are comparatively rare. On the basis of a resurvey database of 1814 (quasi‐)permanent plots from across 40 European study sites, with a median between‐survey interval of 38 years, and ranging from 1933 (earliest initial survey) to 2015 (most recent resurvey), we found that liana occurrence has also increased in the understories of deciduous temperate forests in Europe. Ivy (Hedera helix) is largely responsible for driving this increase across space and time, as its proportional occurrence has grown by an average of 14% per site. Enhanced warming rates, increased shade, and historical management transitions explain only some of the variation in ivy frequency response across the dataset, despite surveys coming from across continental gradients of environmental conditions. Uncovering the mechanisms underlying ivy expansion, and the potential consequences for forest structure and functioning, requires further research. Given the magnitude of increases in understory ivy frequency and its possible impacts, scientists, policy makers, and resource managers must be mindful of the patterns, processes, and implications of potential “lianification” of temperate forests.

<p><strong><em>Fridericia</em></strong><strong> <em>resinosa</em>: a new species of Bignoniaceae from Brazil</strong></p>

Fridericia resinosa is a new species from ecotones bordering the Brazilian savannas and Amazon and savannas-Caatinga. The conspicuous petioles and petiolules length, vernicose adaxial surface of the leaflets, and the dark purple to bordeaux corolla, can be used to distinguish this liana species from morphologically close species. A complete description, diagnosis, a line drawing, distribution map, and notes on phenology, conservation status, and comparison to the morphologically related species are provided.

Оценка уровня адаптации лиан к воздействию неблагоприятных факторов среды в условиях г. Саратова

The article is devoted to the actual topic of expansion of assortment of lianas in vertical gardening in Saratov by the use of introduced species of tree lianas from the Far East. Currently, the studied species: Actinidia arguta; Actinidia kolomikta; Ampelopsis aconitifolia; Schisandra chinensis; Menispermum dauricum — have been distributed in individual land use areas mainly as food crops. It is noted that the far Eastern species of lianas differ in a significant amplitude of biological tolerance of adaptation, have high frost resistance and immunity against diseases. The reason for including these species in the prospective assortment for use in urban plantations is given taking into account a comprehensive assessment of their drought resistance, heat resistance, and resistance to anthropogenic impact. All species are resistant to high summer air temperatures and insufficient humidity, which is typical for the climate of Saratov. The assessment of gas resistance of lianas is given in comparison with the results of studies previously conducted with respect to other species, which allows us to determine possible combinations of plants on landscaping sites. Ranking of species showed that the studied Far Eastern species of lianas have high and medium gas resistance. The obtained data give reason to recommend the studied lianas for use in plantings of various categories in Saratov, depending on the availability of care and air quality. To prevent damage to leaves and shoots by drought, as well as to improve the gas resistance of plants, it is recommended to conduct agro-measures that improve the water-air and food regime of soils in the growing areas.

Environmental filtering and spatial processes shape the beta diversity of liana communities in a valley savanna in southwest China

AbstractQuestionsLianas contribute substantially to the diversity and function of ecosystems. What is the relative importance of environmental filtering and spatial processes on structuring liana beta diversity at taxonomic, functional and phylogenetic levels? Is there any synergy between these drivers (environmental factors and spatial distance) on shaping these three dimensions of beta diversity in a savanna liana community?LocationA dry‐hot valley savanna in Yunnan Province, southwest China.MethodsWe established 30 20 m × 20 m plots in the savanna to collect data on the distribution of 22 liana species, 19 functional traits, and plot‐level soil nutrients, elevation, and slope. The relative contributions of these environmental factors and spatial distance to liana taxonomic, functional and phylogenetic dissimilarity were analyzed using multiple regression on distance matrices. We also tested which environmental factors influence the beta diversity of liana community using permutational multivariate analysis of variance.ResultsBoth environmental and spatial distances were significantly correlated with taxonomic, functional and phylogenetic dissimilarity. Spatial distance explained more variation in taxonomic beta diversity than environmental factors. But for both nearest‐neighbour functional and phylogenetic distance Dnn’, environment explained relatively more variation than space did. Moreover, the proportion explained by environmental variables was ranked in decreasing order as follows: functional Dnn’, phylogenetic Dnn’, and taxonomic beta diversity. We found soil pH had the highest contribution to taxonomic and functional beta diversity, while soil total nitrogen contributed most to phylogenetic beta diversity.ConclusionsThis study revealed that liana taxonomic, functional and phylogenetic beta diversity in the studied hot‐dry savanna ecosystem is affected and maintained by both environmental filtering and spatial processes. Moreover, the functional and phylogenetic diversities were more strongly subject to environmental filtering. Our study provides information on the mechanisms underlying liana diversity maintenance in savanna, which is necessary to inform conservation management in this vulnerable ecosystem.