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Biodiversity in Forests: Management, Monitoring for Conservation
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Biodiversity in Forests: Management, Monitoring for Conservation

A special issue of Forests (ISSN 1999-4907). This special issue belongs to the section "Forest Biodiversity".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 25 November 2024 | Viewed by 7093

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Víctor Rincón

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Guest Editor
Departamento de Farmacología, Farmacognosia y Botánica, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Plaza de Ramón y Cajal, s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain
Interests: Natura 2000; zoning; biodiversity; conservation; land use; connectivity; MSPA; Index; PC Index; climate change
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Javier Velázquez Saornil

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Guest Editor
Department of Environment and Agroforestry, Universidad Católica de Ávila, Calle de los Canteros, S/N, 05005 Ávila, Spain
Interests: biodiversity and conservation; connectivity; GIS; land use and environmental planning; remote sensing
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Derya Gulcin

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Guest Editor Assistant
Department of Landscape Architecture, Faculty of Agriculture, Aydın Adnan Menderes University, Aydın 09010, Turkey
Interests: environment; ecology; spatial analysis; landscape planning; land use; lidar remote sensing

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Biodiversity in forests is essential for environmental balance and the survival of countless species, including humans, and a comprehensive approach covering monitoring, management, and conservation is required to ensure its preservation.

Monitoring involves constant observation of forest biological diversity through various techniques, from systematic sampling to the use of advanced technology, which provides crucial data on the health and evolution of forest ecosystems over time.

Forest management focuses on the careful planning of human activities, such as selective logging or sustainable agriculture, to minimize negative impacts on biodiversity. A balance is sought between the economic exploitation of forest resources and the conservation of natural habitats.

Conservation, on the other hand, involves the active protection of forests and their biological diversity; achieved through the creation of protected areas, the restoration of degraded ecosystems, and the ex situ preservation of endangered species.

The monitoring, management, and conservation of forest biodiversity are essential to ensuring the health of forests, their ability to provide vital ecosystem services, and their value as a refuge for wildlife and a source of human wellbeing.

The purpose of this Special Issue is to analyze the challenges and solutions in the implementation of management strategies for forest conservation. Researchers from various disciplines, such as theoretical ecology, landscape management, policy, and sociology, are invited to contribute papers that address the topics raised in this Special Issue.

Dr. Víctor Rincón
Dr. Javier Velázquez Saornil
Guest Editors

Dr. Derya Gulcin
Guest Editor Assistant

Manuscript Submission Information

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Forests is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • biodiversity
  • ecosystem services
  • forest fires
  • regeneration
  • forest management
  • climate change
  • conservation
  • connectivity
  • land use

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Published Papers (9 papers)

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Research

16 pages, 6164 KiB  
Article
Conserved Plastid Genomes of Pourthiaea Trees: Comparative Analyses and Phylogenetic Relationship
by Ting Ren, Chang Peng, Yuan Lu, Yun Jia and Bin Li
Forests 2024, 15(10), 1811; https://doi.org/10.3390/f15101811 - 16 Oct 2024
Viewed by 305
Abstract
The genus Pourthiaea Decne., a deciduous woody group with high ornamental value, belongs to the family Rosaceae. Here, we reported newly sequenced plastid genome sequences of Pourthiaea beauverdiana (C. K. Schneid.) Hatus., Pourthiaea parvifolia E. Pritz., Pourthiaea villosa (Thunb.) Decne., and Photinia glomerata [...] Read more.
The genus Pourthiaea Decne., a deciduous woody group with high ornamental value, belongs to the family Rosaceae. Here, we reported newly sequenced plastid genome sequences of Pourthiaea beauverdiana (C. K. Schneid.) Hatus., Pourthiaea parvifolia E. Pritz., Pourthiaea villosa (Thunb.) Decne., and Photinia glomerata Rehder & E. H. Wilson. The plastomes of these three Pourthiaea species shared the typical quadripartite structures, ranging in size from 159,903 bp (P. parvifolia) to 160,090 bp (P. beauverdiana). The three Pourthiaea plastomes contained a pair of inverted repeat regions (26,394–26,399 bp), separated by a small single-copy region (19,304–19,322 bp) and a large single-copy region (87,811–87,973 bp). A total of 113 unique genes were predicted for the three Pourthiaea plastomes, including four ribosomal RNA genes, 30 transfer RNA genes, and 79 protein-coding genes. Analyses of inverted repeat/single-copy boundary, mVISTA, nucleotide diversity, and genetic distance showed that the plastomes of 13 Pourthiaea species (including 10 published plastomes) are highly conserved. The number of simple sequence repeats and long repeat sequences is similar among 13 Pourthiaea species. The three non-coding regions (trnT-GGU-psbD, trnR-UCU-atpA, and trnH-GUG-psbA) were the most divergent. Only one plastid protein-coding gene, rbcL, was under positive selection. Phylogenetic analyses based on 78 shared plastid protein-coding sequences and 29 nrDNA sequences strongly supported the monophyly of Pourthiaea. As for the relationship with other genera in our phylogenies, Pourthiaea was sister to Malus in plastome phylogenies, while it was sister to the remaining genera in nrDNA phylogenies. Furthermore, significant cytonuclear discordance likely stems from hybridization events within Pourthiaea, reflecting complex evolutionary dynamics within the genus. Our study provides valuable genetic insights for further phylogenetic, taxonomic, and species delimitation studies in Pourthiaea, as well as essential support for horticultural improvement and conservation of the germplasm resources. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biodiversity in Forests: Management, Monitoring for Conservation)
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12 pages, 2926 KiB  
Article
Ecology of Some Panorpa (Mecoptera, Panorpidae) Species from Several Regions of Russia
by Libor Dvořák, Alexander B. Ruchin, Viktor V. Aleksanov, Leonid V. Egorov, Mikhail N. Esin, Sergei V. Lukiyanov, Evgeniy A. Lobachev and Alexander I. Fayzulin
Forests 2024, 15(9), 1608; https://doi.org/10.3390/f15091608 - 12 Sep 2024
Viewed by 431
Abstract
Our study focuses on the investigation of the ecological aspects (seasonal dynamics, height distribution, and preference of biotopes) of six species within the genus Panorpa (P. alpina Rambur, 1842, P. cognata Rambur, 1842, P. communis Linnaeus, 1758, P. germanica Linnaeus, 1758, P. [...] Read more.
Our study focuses on the investigation of the ecological aspects (seasonal dynamics, height distribution, and preference of biotopes) of six species within the genus Panorpa (P. alpina Rambur, 1842, P. cognata Rambur, 1842, P. communis Linnaeus, 1758, P. germanica Linnaeus, 1758, P. hybrida MacLachlan, 1882, and P. vulgaris Imhoff & Labram, 1845). The observed seasonal dynamics predominantly display a monovoltine nature. P. communis was active from the early days of May, with individuals persisting until the beginning of October. Conversely, P. vulgaris exhibits activity from the third decade of May to mid-September. P. hybrida manifests within a concise timeframe, observed from late May to late July. P. cognata demonstrates activity commencing in early May, with individuals observed until the end of September. Within forest environments, the highest population density of all species is concentrated at a height of 1.5 m above ground level, whereas the minimum population density is recorded at a height of 12 m above ground level. P. vulgaris demonstrates comparable abundance across heights ranging from 1.5 to 7.5 m, whereas P. hybrida exhibits uniform distribution solely at heights of 1.5 and 3.5 m. Furthermore, the abundance of P. communis surpasses that at other heights when observed at the height of 1.5 m. Panorpa specimens exhibit an absence in open ecosystems at heights of 8 and 10 m. The peak of population density for all species is consistently identified at heights of 2 and 4 m. The application of six diverse entomological methodologies leads to optimal outcomes. Our investigations reveal that P. communis, P. vulgaris, and P. hybrida display greater attraction to beer traps, while P. cognata exhibits a comparatively diminished propensity for such traps. P. cognata, in contrast, demonstrates a substantial presence in pan traps and pitfall traps. In Malaise traps, pan traps, and pitfall traps, five distinct species were captured, although with a species composition differing from alternative methods. To sum up, for the comprehensive study of Panorpa across an expansive geographical spectrum, it is judicious to integrate both net captures and the use of diverse trap types. In addition, it is necessary to explore all biotopes and tiers of the forest. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biodiversity in Forests: Management, Monitoring for Conservation)
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22 pages, 4220 KiB  
Article
The Future Possible Distribution of Kasnak Oak (Quercus vulcanica Boiss. & Heldr. ex Kotschy) in Anatolia under Climate Change Scenarios
by Ali Uğur Özcan, Derya Gülçin, Gamze Tuttu, Javier Velázquez, Sezgin Ayan, Jean Stephan, Uğur Tuttu, Ahmet Varlı and Kerim Çiçek
Forests 2024, 15(9), 1551; https://doi.org/10.3390/f15091551 - 3 Sep 2024
Viewed by 646
Abstract
The deterioration of natural habitats for oak species has steadily occurred as a consequence of both climate change and human pressure. Therefore, detailed and reliable information about the geographic distribution of oak species under changing climate conditions is needed for diverse ecological and [...] Read more.
The deterioration of natural habitats for oak species has steadily occurred as a consequence of both climate change and human pressure. Therefore, detailed and reliable information about the geographic distribution of oak species under changing climate conditions is needed for diverse ecological and conservation practices. This study examined the habitat suitability of endemic Kasnak oak, Quercus vulcanica Boiss. & Heldr. ex Kotschy, an endemic that ranges across the Central Anatolia Region and surrounding mountains in Türkiye. The occurrence data were gathered through fieldwork, and new records were identified. Next, we applied ecological niche modeling to assess the past, present-day, and future potential geographic range of the species in Anatolia. Projections for the Last Glacial Maximum indicate that most of the suitable areas for Kasnak oak were in southern Anatolia. However, present-day estimates suggest projections estimate suitable habitats in northern Anatolia and around the Anatolian Diagonal. According to future projections, the distribution of the species seems to decrease by 2100, with habitat suitability reduction ranging from 3.27% to 7.88%. Projections suggest a decrease in habitat suitability for the species, particularly in the western and southern Türkiye in the future. Moreover, the projections indicated that suitable habitats for the northern range of the species would likely persist until 2100, although they would diminish towards the northeast. The results can be effectively applied to enhance biodiversity conservation planning and management, leading to the development of innovative strategies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biodiversity in Forests: Management, Monitoring for Conservation)
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15 pages, 15516 KiB  
Article
Predicting the Population Size and Potential Habitat Distribution of Moschus berezovskii in Chongqing Based on the MaxEnt Model
by Qing Liu, Huilin Liu, Xiaojuan Cui, Jianjun Peng, Xia Wang, Ling Shen, Minqiang Zhang, Lixia Chen and Xin Li
Forests 2024, 15(8), 1449; https://doi.org/10.3390/f15081449 - 16 Aug 2024
Viewed by 823
Abstract
The forest musk deer (Moschus berezovskii) is a national Class I protected wild animal in China, and the IUCN Red list classifies it as globally endangered. It has significant value in traditional Chinese medicine and spices. However, wild M. berezovskii has [...] Read more.
The forest musk deer (Moschus berezovskii) is a national Class I protected wild animal in China, and the IUCN Red list classifies it as globally endangered. It has significant value in traditional Chinese medicine and spices. However, wild M. berezovskii has faced a severe population decline due to human hunting, habitat loss, and fragmentation. Thus, studying its population size and distribution pattern is of great importance to develop effective conservation measures. Here, we determined the optimal MaxEnt model and used stratified sampling and the fecal pile counting method to predict the population size and potential habitat distribution of wild M. berezovskii in Chongqing using 133 species distribution points and 28 environmental variables. The results were as follows: (1) When the optimal model parameters were RM = 3.5 and FC = LQHPT, it had high model prediction accuracy (AUC = 0.909 ± 0.010, TSS = 0.663). (2) Under various climatic, topographic, vegetation, and anthropogenic disturbance scenarios, M. berezovskii was primarily distributed in northern, eastern, southwestern regions of Chongqing, covering an area of approximately 5562.80 km2. (3) The key environmental factors affecting the potential habitat distribution of M. berezovskii were elevation (36.5%), normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI, 16.6%), slope (11.8%), and land-use type (7.6%), whereas climate and anthropogenic disturbance factors had relatively little influence. (4) A population estimation for M. berezovskii identified approximately 928 ± 109 individuals in Chongqing. We recommend prioritizing the preservation of high-altitude habitats and native vegetation to mitigate human interference and minimize road damage. In summary, our results can enhance the understanding of M. berezovskii distribution and provide a basis for effective conservation and management initiatives. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biodiversity in Forests: Management, Monitoring for Conservation)
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19 pages, 10664 KiB  
Article
Inter- and Intra-Specific Variation in Leaf Functional Traits at Different Maturity Levels in a Tropical Monsoon Forest
by Miaolan Wu, Yue Liu, Zhihang He, Xiaojuan Gu, Yaohong Yu, Yuzhu Tao, Qing Zhou and Qifeng Mo
Forests 2024, 15(8), 1383; https://doi.org/10.3390/f15081383 - 7 Aug 2024
Viewed by 713
Abstract
Plant functional traits are an important indicator for the comprehensive evaluation of community stability and resilience. Therefore, exploring the variations and relationships among leaf functional traits at different maturity levels during forest restoration can deepen the understanding of plant adaptation strategies and community [...] Read more.
Plant functional traits are an important indicator for the comprehensive evaluation of community stability and resilience. Therefore, exploring the variations and relationships among leaf functional traits at different maturity levels during forest restoration can deepen the understanding of plant adaptation strategies and community assembly. In this study, we measured the leaf area (LA), specific leaf area (SLA), photosynthetic pigments, non-structural carbohydrates (NSCs), leaf nitrogen content (LNC), and leaf phosphorus content (LPC) of dominant tree species in three communities with different maturity levels (defined by species composition, biodiversity and spatial structure) in a monsoon forest located in the northern margin of the tropics in China, and explored the variation and relationships among different leaf traits at individual, species, and community scales. The results showed that maturity levels significantly affected leaf functional traits. With the increase in maturity levels, SLA increased, and leaf SS and NSCs decreased, while other leaf functional traits did not show a consistent pattern. In different communities, NSCs, Chl (a:b), SS:St or Car had a trade-off or synergistic relationship with leaf economic spectrum. Additionally, the LPC, LNC, and starch were the key traits in response to selection pressure at maturity levels, inter-specific and intra-specific scales, respectively, and the trait–trait relationships were stronger or more extreme as the scale was narrowed. Therefore, when evaluating the development and succession of tropical monsoon forest communities, the selection of leaf functional characteristics and the determination of the research scale should be comprehensively and systematically considered. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biodiversity in Forests: Management, Monitoring for Conservation)
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25 pages, 40940 KiB  
Article
Evolvement of Spatio-Temporal Pattern and Driving Forces Analysis of Ancient Trees Based on the Geographically Weighted Regression Model in Guangzhou and Foshan, China
by Zhenzhou Xu, Qing Xu, Kaiyan Liu, Yan Liu, Jiaheng Du, Kexin Yi, Xiaokang Zhou, Wei Lin and Hui Li
Forests 2024, 15(8), 1353; https://doi.org/10.3390/f15081353 - 2 Aug 2024
Viewed by 661
Abstract
Ancient trees play an important ecosystem service role in high-density cities, revealing the zonal distribution characteristics of vegetation under climate influence. The ancient trees in Guangzhou and Foshan in 2018 and 2023 were taken as study objects to explore the evolution of their [...] Read more.
Ancient trees play an important ecosystem service role in high-density cities, revealing the zonal distribution characteristics of vegetation under climate influence. The ancient trees in Guangzhou and Foshan in 2018 and 2023 were taken as study objects to explore the evolution of their spatio-temporal patterns and to analyze the spatial differentiation characteristics of their driving factors using the geographical weighted regression (GWR) model. The results showed the following: (1) The ancient trees in Guangzhou and Foshan were composed of typical subtropical evergreen broad-leaved forest communities, mainly represented by broad-leaved species of evergreen dicotyledonous plants. The dominant species mainly included Litchi chinensis, Ficus microcarpa, Canarium pimela, Ficus virens, and Dimocarpus longan. However, there was a significant difference between Guangzhou and Foshan. (2) The number of ancient trees in Guangzhou showed negative growth, while Foshan saw a significant increase. However, species diversity in both areas increased, with the highest diversity in the northeast, higher diversity in the south-central part, and lower diversity in the western and northwestern parts. (3) The maximum kernel density of ancient trees in Guangzhou and Foshan differed 22-fold, indicating a spatial distribution pattern of multiple clusters. (4) The GWR model effectively explained the driving factors of the heterogeneity of the spatial distribution of ancient trees. The results showed that artificial disturbance was the most important factor affecting the spatial distribution of ancient trees in high-density urban agglomerations in the same vegetation zone. The study clarified the characteristics of the spatial distribution and species diversity of ancient trees in the region, revealed the driving factors for the evolution of the spatial pattern of ancient trees in highly urbanized areas, and provided guidelines for policies and measures for enhancing biodiversity and conserving germplasm resources in the region. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biodiversity in Forests: Management, Monitoring for Conservation)
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8 pages, 4572 KiB  
Article
Elite Genotype Characterization and Genetic Structure Analysis of the Medicinal Tree Archidendron clypearia (Jack) I. C. Nielsen Using Microsatellite Markers
by Dandan Li, Siming Gan, Qijie Weng, Mingming Zhou, Changpin Zhou and Mei Li
Forests 2024, 15(7), 1168; https://doi.org/10.3390/f15071168 - 5 Jul 2024
Viewed by 674
Abstract
Archidendron clypearia (Jack) I. C. Nielsen is an important tree species for traditional medicine purposes such as anti-inflammatory, detoxification, uric acid control and neuro-protection. Here, a set of 15 microsatellite markers were used to fingerprint 248 elite genotypes from six origins of A [...] Read more.
Archidendron clypearia (Jack) I. C. Nielsen is an important tree species for traditional medicine purposes such as anti-inflammatory, detoxification, uric acid control and neuro-protection. Here, a set of 15 microsatellite markers were used to fingerprint 248 elite genotypes from six origins of A. clypearia and investigate the genetic structure of these genotypes. A total of 170 alleles were amplified. The elite genotypes showed moderate genetic variability, with mean observed heterozygosity (Ho) and expected heterozygosity (He) being 0.651 and 0.699, respectively. Each of the elite genotypes could be fingerprinted uniquely. The cumulative probability of identity (PI) and the cumulative probability of paternity exclusion (PE) were 2.25 × 10−12 and 0.999992, respectively, demonstrating the extremely high power of the markers for genotype identification. In STRUCTURE and clustering analyses, the same origin of elite genotypes tended to be grouped in a sub-population and clustered closely, but some genotypes from different geographic origins were mixed, suggesting a low level of genetic differentiation between the origins. These results can contribute to the protection and management of the elite genotype resources of A. clypearia and the comprehensive understanding of its genetic structure. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biodiversity in Forests: Management, Monitoring for Conservation)
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19 pages, 1923 KiB  
Article
Functional Traits Affect the Contribution of Individual Species to Beta Diversity in the Tropical Karst Seasonal Rainforest of South China
by Yanping Wang, Bing Wang, Jianxing Li, Fang Lu, Wanglan Tao, Dongxing Li, Yili Guo, Nianwu Tang, Xiankun Li and Wusheng Xiang
Forests 2024, 15(7), 1125; https://doi.org/10.3390/f15071125 - 28 Jun 2024
Viewed by 774
Abstract
In a community, due to the different characteristics of each species, their contributions to community beta diversity may vary. Quantifying the contribution of each species to overall beta diversity (SCBD) is essential for explaining the patterns of beta diversity. However, there is currently [...] Read more.
In a community, due to the different characteristics of each species, their contributions to community beta diversity may vary. Quantifying the contribution of each species to overall beta diversity (SCBD) is essential for explaining the patterns of beta diversity. However, there is currently limited research linking SCBD with species functional traits, and how species functional traits influence SCBD remains unclear. This study is based on tree census data, species functional traits, and environmental variables from a 15 ha permanent monitoring plot in a tropical karst rainforest in south China. By calculating species-specific SCBD based on abundance and presence–absence data, as well as functional distinctiveness and species ecological niche characteristics (niche position and niche width), we applied structural equation modeling (SEM) to analyze how functional traits, distinctiveness, and niche characteristics jointly influence SCBD. The results revealed that SCBD based on abundance is positively correlated with occupancy and abundance, whereas SCBD based on presence–absence data exhibits a hump-shaped relationship with occupancy and abundance. Species ecological niche characteristics directly influence SCBD, with species occupying central ecological niches having a negative effect on SCBD and niche width having a positive effect. Functional traits and functional distinctiveness indirectly impact SCBD through their influence on species ecological niche characteristics. SEM models based on the presence–absence data provide higher explanatory power. In summary, in the seasonal rainforest communities of northern tropical karst regions in China, the combined effects of species’ functional traits, functional distinctiveness, and ecological niche characteristics determine SCBD. This not only contributes to a deeper understanding of how species traits influence β-diversity, making SCBD a more applicable tool for biodiversity conservation, but also allows for the development of more effective biodiversity protection strategies by elucidating the link between SCBD and ecosystem multifunctionality. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biodiversity in Forests: Management, Monitoring for Conservation)
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17 pages, 5924 KiB  
Article
Abundance and Species Richness of Lianas in a Karst Seasonal Rainforest: The Influence of Abiotic and Biotic Factors
by Jianxing Li, Fang Lu, Dongxing Li, Bin Wang, Yili Guo, Shujun Wen, Fuzhao Huang, Wanglan Tao, Nianwu Tang, Xiankun Li and Wusheng Xiang
Forests 2024, 15(6), 1011; https://doi.org/10.3390/f15061011 - 10 Jun 2024
Viewed by 1062
Abstract
Lianas are a crucial component of karst seasonal rainforests, yet research on them has predominantly focused on non-karst regions. Consequently, their abundance and species richness remain relatively understudied within karst ecosystems. We aimed to document the abundance and species richness of lianas and [...] Read more.
Lianas are a crucial component of karst seasonal rainforests, yet research on them has predominantly focused on non-karst regions. Consequently, their abundance and species richness remain relatively understudied within karst ecosystems. We aimed to document the abundance and species richness of lianas and investigate their relationships with abiotic and biotic factors, based on data from a fully mapped 15 ha plot in a karst seasonal rainforest of Nonggang (SW China). Structural equation models (SEMs) were employed to estimate the path coefficients and variation of dependent variables, enabling a comprehensive analysis of the factors affecting the abundance and species richness of liana. Within the 15 ha plot, a total of 23,819 lianas were identified, encompassing 113 species from 34 families. These lianas constituted 24.16% of the total woody plant density and 33.44% of the species present, but only 4.32% of the total woody plant basal area. Lianas are primarily influenced by abiotic factors, especially elevation and phosphorus (P), with less impact from biotic factors. Our findings reveal that lianas, despite constituting a relatively small percentage of the total woody plant basal area, significantly contribute to the density and diversity of the forest. Notably, abiotic factors such as elevation and phosphorus availability predominantly shape the distribution and richness of lianas, highlighting the importance of these environmental variables. The findings offer valuable insights for future liana studies and the preservation of karst forests’ biodiversity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biodiversity in Forests: Management, Monitoring for Conservation)
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