The high species richness of tropical forests has long been recognized, yet there remains substantial uncertainty regarding the actual number of tropical tree species. Using a pantropical tree inventory database from closed canopy forests, consisting of 657,630 trees belonging to 11,371 species, we use a fitted value of Fisher's alpha and an approximate pantropical stem total to estimate the minimum number of tropical forest tree species to fall between ∼ 40,000 and ∼ 53,000, i.e., at the high end of previous estimates. Contrary to common assumption, the Indo-Pacific region was found to be as species-rich as the Neotropics, with both regions having a minimum of ∼ 19,000-25,000 tree species. Continental Africa is relatively depauperate with a minimum of ∼ 4,500-6,000 tree species. Very few species are shared among the African, American, and the Indo-Pacific regions. We provide a methodological framework for estimating species richness in trees that may help refine species richness estimates of tree-dependent taxa.

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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.

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Rattan is an important climbing palm taxon in Malaysian tropical rain forests. Many rattan species have unique structures directly associated with certain ant species. In this study, four rattan species (Daemonorops lewisiana, Calamus castaneus, Daemonorops geniculata and Korthalsia scortechinii) were inspected and documented in a field survey concerning their relationships with several ant species. We noticed that two rattan species (D. lewisiana and C. castaneus) were more likely to be associated with ants compared to their neighbouring rattan (Plectomia griffithii). However, D. lewisiana and C. castaneus did not directly provide shelters for ant colonies, but possessed unique structures: upward-pointing spines and funnel-shaped leaves, which are equipped to collect more litter than P. griffithii. To test our litter collecting hypothesis, we measured the inclination of spines from the stem. Our results showed the presence of ant colonies in the litter-collecting rattans (D. lewisiana and C. castaneus), which was significantly higher compared to a non-litter-collecting rattan (P. griffithii). We propose a complex and novel type of adaptation (litter-collection and provision of nesting materials) for rattans, which promotes interactions between the rattan and ants through the arrangements of leaves, leaflets, and spines. In return, the rattan may benefit from ants' services, such as protection, nutrient enhancement, and pollination.