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

ABSTRACT

Background: Lianas are an important component of tropical forests that respond to logging disturbance. Determining liana response to selective logging chronosequence is important for understanding long-term logging effects on lianas and tropical forests.

Aims: Our objective was to quantify the response of liana communities to selective logging chronosequence in a moist semi-deciduous forest in Ghana.

Methods: Liana community characteristics were determined in ten 40 m × 40 m plots randomly and homogenously distributed in each of four selectively logged forest stands that had been logged 2, 14, 40 and 68 years before the surveys and in an old-growth forest stand (ca. >200 years).

Results: Liana species composition differed significantly among the forest stands, as a function of logging time span, while species richness fluctuated along the chronosequence. The abundance of liana communities and of reproductive and climbing guilds was lower in the logged forests than in the old-growth forest. The ratio of liana abundance and basal area to those of trees was similar in the logged forests, but significantly lower than those in the old-growth forest.

Conclusions: Logging impacts on liana community structure and functional traits were largely evident, though no clear chronosequence trends were recorded, except for species composition.

KEYWORDS:

• Climbing mechanisms
• lianas
• reproduction guilds
• species composition
• species diversity
• treefall gaps

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Supplementary material

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Additional information

Notes on contributors

Patrick Addo-Fordjour

Patrick Addo-Fordjour is a Senior Lecturer with a general interest in tropical forest ecology and biodiversity conservation.

Bismark Ofosu-Bamfo

Bismark Ofosu-Bamfo is an Assistant Lecturer with interest in forest ecology.

Francis Kwofie

Francis Kwofie is a research biologist. His interest includes forest ecology.

Nukunu Akyea-Bobi

Nukunu Akyea-Bobi is a biologist interested in biodiversity conservation.

Fidaus A. Rahman

Fidaus A. Rahman is a research biologist with interest in plant ecology.

Emmanuel Amoah

Emmanuel Amoah is biologist with special interest in plant ecology.