Decadal (2003–2013) changes in liana diversity, abundance and aboveground biomass in four inland tropical dry evergreen forest sites of peninsular India

Abstract

In 2013, we re-inventoried all lianas (≥1 cm diameter measured at 1.3 m from the rooting point) in four 1-ha permanent plots distributed one each in four sites of inland tropical dry evergreen forest on the Coromandel Coast (Pudukottai district) of peninsular India, established in 2003. Among the four sites, Shanmuganathapuram (SP) and Araiyapatti (AP) were much disturbed and the other two sites (Karisakkadu—KR and Maramadakki—MM) were moderately disturbed. We inventoried a total of 3425 lianas representing 37 species of 33 genera and 22 families. Over a decade (2003–2013) liana species richness increased at two sites (MM and SP) and no changes occurred at the other two sites. Liana abundance increased by 210, 211, 164 and 162 individuals at sites AP, KR, MM and SP, respectively, and basal area increased (from 1.09 to 1.76 m² at AP, 0.67 to 0.86 m² at KR, 1.68 to 2.06 m² at MM, and from 0.44 to 1.06 m² at SP). Over a 10-year period, three species (Abrus precatorius, Canavalia virosa, and Cocculus hirsutus) were lost and five species (Gloriosa superba, Ampelocissus tomentosa, Capparis sepiaria, Aganosma cymosa and Tiliacora acuminata) were newly added. Total aboveground biomass increased by 18.5, 0.74, 3.6 and 9.5 Mg ha⁻¹, respectively, at sites AP, KR, MM and SP.

Keywords

Tropical dry evergreen forest / Liana abundance / Re-inventory / Aboveground biomass / Human disturbance / Decadal change

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