Changes in liana community structure and functional traits along a chronosequence of selective logging in a moist semi-deciduous forest in Ghana

Addo‐Fordjour, Patrick; Ofosu-Bamfo, Bismark; Kwofie, Francis; Akyea-Bobi, Nukunu; Rahman, Fidaus A.; Amoah, Emmanuel

doi:10.1080/17550874.2019.1675095

Cited by 10 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 58 publications

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“…Differences in selective logging frequency (thrice logged in Ding & Zang, 2009) and time span (40 years in Magrach et al., 2016) between our study (once logged; 26 years) and the others may account for the variation in the patterns of liana recovery. We observed some tree‐fall gaps in the old‐growth forest which might have facilitated liana increase as reported in other studies (Addo‐Fordjour et al., 2020; Schnitzer et al., 2000). Woods (2001) reported that forest management that emulates natural disturbance patterns can best maintain biodiversity in tropical forests.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 87%

“…Even though many studies have assessed the impacts of clearcutting and selective logging on tropical forest diversity and structure, only a handful of them considered lianas. In general, previous studies reveal conflicting results of positive (Ding & Zang, 2009; Magrach et al., 2016) and negative (Addo‐Fordjour et al., 2020) influence of selective logging on liana diversity and abundance. Till date, only Ding and Zang (2009) comprehensively studied clearcutting effects on liana diversity, concluding that clearcutting enhances diversity after 40 years.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 95%

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

Addo‐Fordjour

Afram

2021

Biotropica

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Tropical forests biodiversity is influenced by human activities in both positive and negative ways (Giam, 2017; Storch et al., 2018). Historically, clearcutting and selective logging have been the most commonly used forest management regimes, resulting in deforestation and degradation, respectively, that influence plant diversity and forest structure (Borma et al., 2013). For example, selective logging alters forest structure through creation of canopy gaps, logging roads, and skid trails (Magrach et al., 2016). On the other hand, clearcutting removes virtually all plant species (Keenan & Kimmins, 1993), and so shows lower recovery rate than selectively logged forest (Ding et al., 2017). Whereas both forest management regimes open the canopy and increase sunlight penetration (Ding &

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 87%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 95%

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

Addo‐Fordjour

Afram

2021

Biotropica

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“…Typically, fragmentation causes species loss, and changes in species distribution and abundance, which can cause changes in the structure and stability of interaction networks (Laurindo et al, 2019). Given that lianas in disturbed sites undergo changes in community structure (Addo-Fordjour et al, 2020), understanding the fate of liana-tree network structure in fragmented sites is key to understanding the full ramifications of fragmentation on forest biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. Previous studies on liana-tree interactions overwhelmingly reported lack of nested structure in liana-tree interactions networks Blick & Burns, 2009;Ofosu-Bamfo et al, 2019).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Forest fragmentation drives liana community structure but not the patterns of liana–tree interaction network in two forest ecosystems in Ghana

Addo‐Fordjour

Marfo

Ofosu-Bamfo

2021

Ecological Research

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We assessed fragmentation impact on liana community structure and patterns of liana-tree interaction network structure, and edge effects on liana community structure in a rainforest and a moist semi-deciduous (MSD) forest in Ghana. In each forest, we randomly established 30 20 Â 20 m 2 plots at varied distances (0-20 m, 20-40 m, 40-60 m, 60-80 m, 80-100 m) from forest edge to interior in fragmented and intact sites. Lianas with diameter at 1.30 m from rooting base ≥1 cm and their host trees (diameter at breast height ≥ 5 cm) were identified and counted. Our findings revealed that fragmentation caused an increase in liana diversity in the rainforest, but not in the MSD. Fragmentation also resulted in shifts in species composition in both forests, and together with edge effects increased liana abundance in both forest ecosystems. Lianatree networks in the two forest ecosystems were less nested and connected, but more modular and specialized than their corresponding null models irrespective of fragmentation. Some species of lianas (rainforest fragment/ intact: 0.80/0.76%; MSD fragment/intact: 0.47/0.38%) and trees (rainforest fragment/intact: 0.65/0.35%; MSD fragment/intact: 0.54/0.36%) exhibited higher specialization than their null models. Topologically, most lianas in fragmented and intact sites of the forests played peripheral/specialist roles, whereas a few species exhibited structural importance in the form of connectors, network hubs and module hubs. The structural important species in fragmented sites did not also occur in intact sites, suggesting that fragmentation might have influenced topological roles of the species in fragmented sites.

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“…However, while preventing degraded forests from conversion could protect biodiversity, this study only considers the impact of climber removal on tree and AGB growth, ignoring the various functions of climbing plants in tropical forests. Their removal could have negative consequences for biodiversity, for example reducing the species richness of climbing plants, removing food and locomotion resources, and influencing the microclimate (Addo‐Fordjour et al, 2020 ; Arroyo‐Rodriguez et al, 2015 ; Campbell et al, 2015 ; Cosset & Edwards, 2017 ; Magnago et al, 2017 ; Putz et al, 2001 ; Schnitzer et al, 2020 ), though see Cerullo et al ( 2019 ). Our study finds that applying removal just to focal trees and not repeating treatment yield growth benefits while giving climbers greater chance to recover, but this will not be enough to prevent biodiversity losses from climber removal.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Removing climbers more than doubles tree growth and biomass in degraded tropical forests

Finlayson

Roopsind

Griscom

et al. 2022

Ecology and Evolution

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Huge areas of tropical forests are degraded, reducing their biodiversity, carbon, and timber value. The recovery of these degraded forests can be significantly inhibited by climbing plants such as lianas. Removal of super‐abundant climbers thus represents a restoration action with huge potential for application across the tropics. While experimental studies largely report positive impacts of climber removal on tree growth and biomass accumulation, the efficacy of climber removal varies widely, with high uncertainty as to where and how to apply the technique. Using meta‐analytic techniques, we synthesize results from 26 studies to quantify the efficacy of climber removal for promoting tree growth and biomass accumulation. We find that climber removal increases tree growth by 156% and biomass accumulation by 209% compared to untreated forest, and that efficacy remains for at least 19 years. Extrapolating from these results, climber removal could sequester an additional 32 Gigatons of CO2 over 10 years, at low cost, across regrowth, and production forests. Our analysis also revealed that climber removal studies are concentrated in the Neotropics (N = 22), relative to Africa (N = 2) and Asia (N = 2), preventing our study from assessing the influence of region on removal efficacy. While we found some evidence that enhancement of tree growth and AGB accumulation varies across disturbance context and removal method, but not across climate, the number and geographical distribution of studies limits the strength of these conclusions. Climber removal could contribute significantly to reducing global carbon emissions and enhancing the timber and biomass stocks of degraded forests, ultimately protecting them from conversion. However, we urgently need to assess the efficacy of removal outside the Neotropics, and consider the potential negative consequences of climber removal under drought conditions and for biodiversity.

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Changes in liana community structure and functional traits along a chronosequence of selective logging in a moist semi-deciduous forest in Ghana

Cited by 10 publications

References 58 publications

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

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

Forest fragmentation drives liana community structure but not the patterns of liana–tree interaction network in two forest ecosystems in Ghana

Removing climbers more than doubles tree growth and biomass in degraded tropical forests

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