The Relationships between Host Tree Characteristics and Liana Climbing Success at Mo Singto Forest Dynamics Plot, Khao Yai National Park, Thailand

Abstract

Variations in climbing strategies of liana ramets allow them to successfully ascend to forest canopies. These diverse climbing strategies also depend on variations in sizes and bark textures of host trees. Characteristics of lianas and host trees at the Mo Singto Forest Dynamics Plot in the Khao Yai National Park in Thailand were examined. The total 1,560 ramets were randomly selected. Their sizes were positively correlated with host tree sizes. However, this relationship varied with liana climbing strategies. Most twiner, hook and tendril climbers tended to use small host trees while adventious root climbers used large host tree. The scrambler and the combination of twiner and scrambler ramets appeared to be independent of host tree sizes. Host trees with slightly rough bark texture showed high association with most ramets regardless of sizes and climbing strategies except the adventitious root climbers that were often found on trees with rough bark texture.