Does road-edge affect liana community structure and liana-host interactions in evergreen rainforests in Ghana?

Afram

2021

Biotropica

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 &

Section: Liana-tree Interaction Networkmentioning

confidence: 99%

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

Afram

2021

Biotropica

“…Variable penetration distances of edge have been reported in previous studies. A lot of studies revealed that edges can extend up to 100 m from the forest edge, while other studies also detected edge effects up to 300 m (see Ofosu-Bamfo et al, 2019). Thus, we set our two interior sites 100 m beyond each of the aforementioned edge penetration distance limit, resulting in 200 m and 400 m distances from the forest edge.…”

Section: Sampling Design and Data Collectionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…For example, nestedness, a network pattern in which the interactions of less connected species form proper subsets of the interactions of more connected species (Bascompte et al, 2003;Landi et al, 2018;Ponisio, et al 2019), has been used to characterise the structure of liana-tree networks. Different patterns of nestedness are reported in literature including nested (Sfair et al, 2010) and non-nested (Addo-Fordjour & Afram, 2021;Blick & Burns, 2009;Magrach et al, 2015;Ofosu-Bamfo et al, 2019) structures. Among the studies that did not find nested structure in liana-tree netowrks, some reported anti-nested structure which depicts non-random assembly (Addo-Fordjour & Afram, 2021;Blick & Burns, 2009;Magrach et al, 2015), whiles others observed non-significant nestedness that shows random assembly Ofosu-Bamfo et al, 2019).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Different patterns of nestedness are reported in literature including nested (Sfair et al, 2010) and non-nested (Addo-Fordjour & Afram, 2021;Blick & Burns, 2009;Magrach et al, 2015;Ofosu-Bamfo et al, 2019) structures. Among the studies that did not find nested structure in liana-tree netowrks, some reported anti-nested structure which depicts non-random assembly (Addo-Fordjour & Afram, 2021;Blick & Burns, 2009;Magrach et al, 2015), whiles others observed non-significant nestedness that shows random assembly Ofosu-Bamfo et al, 2019). Ecological networks can also be compartmentalised into modules whose members interact more among themselves (Carstensen et al, 2016).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Edge mediated microclimatic changes may favour disturbance-adapted, lightloving species such as lianas (see Hawthorne, 1996;Laurance et al, 2001), but generally be disadvantageous to others such as trees (Laurance et al, 2006). Previous studies reported that edge effects enhanced liana diversity and abundance in some forests (Laurance et al, 2001;Campbell et al, 2018;Ofosu-Bamfo et al, 2019), but others did not detect changes in liana diversity in response to edge (Mohandass et al, 2014;Ofofu-Bamfo et al, 2019). Several properties of forest edge such as edge size, edge type, and surrounding matrix type can mediate edge effects on plant community structure (Martino, 2015), and be responsible for the varied responses of community structure to edges in different forests.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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

Ofosu-Bamfo

Belford

2021

Preprint

Self Cite

We evaluated the response of liana community structure and the patterns of 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 in each forest: 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. More liana species experienced positive magnitude of edge influence (MEI) on their abundance. We observed anti-nested structure in all the liana-tree networks in AFR, while no nestedness was observed in the three networks in SFR. The networks in both forests were less connected, and more modular and specialised than their null models. Many liana and tree species were specialised, with the specialisation tending to be symmetrical. Topologically, most of the species were peripherals, with only a few connectors, module hubs, and network hubs. Some of the species showed consistency in their topological roles from one site to another, 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 the Asenanyo Forest Reserve. The findings of the study deepen our understanding of liana-tree interactions, provide implications for conservation, and may contribute to development of a robust edge theory.

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

Ofosu-Bamfo

Belford

2022

Ecology and Evolution

Self Cite

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 semideciduous 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 deepinterior) 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.