Although a liana may simultaneously utilize several of these climbing mechanisms, it is normally possible to recognize the prevalent climbing mode.
Nonetheless, small-diameter lianas were most abundant in the 20-y stands and the largest lianas were found in the forests 70 y old.
These data suggest that small lianas may be abundant in the understorey but are not successful in reaching the canopy in older forests.
Both crown illumination and tree size were related to liana abundance.
This allows a well-replicated sampling on lianas per life form and species in a relatively uniform environment, a major limitation in highly diverse forests.
Low forest was found to contain over four times the weight of liana leaves as high stature.
In addition, 10 randomly selected leaves of each liana species were weighed and traced onto graph paper to determine leaf area-to-weight relationships.
Understorey plants were not identified to species, but were categorized as herbs, ferns, herbaceous vines, palms, t rees and lianas.
