@article{fdi:010092914,
  title = {{L}ocal forest structure and host specificity influence liana community composition in a moist {C}entral {A}frican forest},
  author = {{K}a{\c{c}}amak, {B}. and {R}{\'e}jou-{M}{\'e}chain, {M}axime and {R}owe, {N}. and {R}ossi, {V}. and {B}arbier, {N}icolas and {B}azan, {S}. and {F}orni, {E}. and {G}uibal, {D}. and {H}arris, {D}. {J}. and {P}anzou, {G}. {J}. {L}. and {L}oumeto, {J}. {J}. and {M}arcon, {E}. and {P}inho, {B}. {X}. and {Z}ombo, {I}. and {G}ourlet-{F}leury, {S}.},
  editor = {},
  language = {{ENG}},
  abstract = {{L}ianas are important components of tropical forest diversity and dynamics, yet little is known about the drivers of their community structure and composition. {C}ombining extensive field and {L}i{DAR} data, we investigated the influence of local topography, forest structure, and tree composition on liana community structure, and their floristic and functional composition, in a moist forest in northern {R}epublic of {C}ongo. {W}e inventoried all lianas >= 1 cm in diameter in 144 20 x 20-m quadrats located in four 9-ha permanent plots, where trees and giant herbs were inventoried. {W}e characterized the functional strategies of selected representatives of the main liana taxa using a set of resource-use leaf and wood traits. {F}inally, we used complementary statistical analyses, including multivariate and randomization approaches, to test whether forest structure, topography, and tree composition influence the structure, floristic composition, and functional composition of liana communities. {T}he structure of liana communities was strongly shaped by local forest structure, with higher abundances and total basal areas in relatively open-canopy forests, where lianas competed with giant herbs. {L}iana floristic composition exhibited a weak spatial structure over the study site but was marginally influenced by the local forest structure and topography. {O}nly forest structure had a weak but significant effect on liana functional composition, with more conservative strategies-higher stem tissue density and lower {PO}4 leaf concentration and {SLA} values-in tall and dense forests. {F}inally, we found evidence of host specificity with significant attraction/repulsion for 19% of the tested liana and tree species associations, suggesting that the unexplained floristic variation may be partly attributed to these host-species-specific associations, although the underlying mechanisms behind remain elusive. {O}verall, our findings demonstrate that liana communities' structure can be much better predicted than their composition, calling for a better understanding of the implications of the large functional diversity observed in liana communities.},
  keywords = {{C}ongo {B}asin ; determinants of plant community diversity and structure ; ecological strategies ; functional traits ; tropical forests ; wood density ; woody vines ; {CONGO} ; {CONGO} {BASSIN}},
  booktitle = {},
  journal = {{E}cology and {E}volution},
  volume = {15},
  numero = {3},
  pages = {e71075 [18 p.]},
  ISSN = {2045-7758},
  year = {2025},
  DOI = {10.1002/ece3.71075},
  URL = {https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010092914},
}