Effect of Liana on the Understory Species Richness in Deciduous Broadleaf Forest of Jigong Mountain in Henan

PurposeBased on the interspecific relationship principles, we explore that whether the presence of liana species will suppress or stimulate the existence of non-liana species under forest canopy in deciduous broadleaf forest in Jigong Mountain, Henan Province, which would be helpful for understanding the interspecific relationship and coexistence mechanism.

MethodShannon-Wiener index and density were investigated by field plot survey, and soil temperature and moisture were measured by an electronic monitor.

ResultShannon-Wiener index for both total species and non-liana plant significantly decreased with elevated plant density. The Shannon-Wiener index of non-liana plant was totally regulated by plant density, DBH of the tree closest to the plots, and soil temperature. In addition, the density of non-liana plant decreased significantly with the elevated density of liana plant, and the density of non-liana plant was strongly related to total plant density, soil temperature, and DBH of the tree closest to the plots.

ConclusionIn deciduous broadleaf forest in Central China, understory liana plants exhibit significant negative effects on the diversity of non-liana plants, and reduce the density of non-liana species, which may be attributed to the strong dispersive capacity and survivability, as well as its utilization on environmental resource. The study could be favor for understanding the relationship between species diversity and coexistence mechanism in forest ecosystem.