Lianas and Environmental Factors in the Mo Singto Biodiversity Research Plot, Khao Yai National Park, Thailan

Abstract

study investigated the abundance and species diversity of lianas (woody climbing plants) on the Mo Singto Long Term Biodiversity Research plot, Khao Yai National Park, in relation to environmental factors. A stratified sample of 40 20×20-m quadrats on the 30-ha plot was taken in 4 kinds of habitats: hilltop, slope, valley, and secondary forest. There were no significant differences in either abundance or species diversity among habitat types, in spite of some significant differences in soil texture and available cations between secondary and primary forest sites. Multiple regressions of abundance and species richness on a variety of topographic and vegetation measures and soil variables failed to find any significant effects on the lianas. While individual species of lianas may be limited by physical factors and tree distribution, the community as a whole is robust to such variation.