木质藤本植物是热带、亚热带山地森林重要的组分之一, 在森林动态、生态系统过程和森林生物多样性形成与维持等方面具有重要作用。本文调查了哀牢山中山湿性常绿阔叶林木质藤本植物的多样性及其在垂直和水平空间上的分布规律。在20个20 m × 50 m的样地中共调查到DBH≥0.2 cm的木质藤本植物1,145株, 隶属于19科25属29种, 其中物种最丰富的科为菝葜科(4种)和蔷薇科(3种), 但多度最高的科为葡萄科(363株, 占总株数的31.7%)。研究发现林下木质藤本(通常DBH < 1 cm)拥有较高的物种丰富度和多度, 对木质藤本植物多样性具有较大的贡献。有55.7%的个体分布在林下层, 林冠层占28.8%, 亚冠层只有15.5%。木质藤本的垂直空间分布在不同径级、不同攀援类型之间具有明显的差异。 从水平空间分布来看, 地形是影响木质藤本的一个重要因素: 沟谷木质藤本的物种丰富度、多度和基面积分别是坡面的171%, 420%和606%; 有12个物种只分布在沟谷生境。这表明哀牢山中山湿性常绿阔叶林木质藤本植物对生境具有偏好性。

Lianas are an important component of tropical and subtropical forests, and influence forest dynamics, ecosystem processes, and the formation and maintenance of forest biodiversity. In the present study, liana diversity and their vertical and horizontal spatial distribution were investigated in a mid-montane moist evergreen broad-leaved forest in the Ailao Mountains, SW China. A total of 1,145 individuals of 29 liana species (DBH≥0.2 cm) were recorded in twenty 20 m × 50 m plots. In the forest the most species-rich families were the Smilacaceae (4 species) and Rosaceae (3 species). Vitaceae was the most abundant family represented by 363 individuals (31.7% of total individuals). The understory lianas (usually DBH < 1 cm) had greater species richness and abundance than subcanopy and canopy lianas. The majority of lianas individuals (55.7%) were found in the understory, 28.8% were in the canopy, and only 15.5% were in the subcanopy. The vertical distribution of lianas showed obvious differences among stem diameter-classes and climbing mechanisms. In terms of the horizontal spatial distribution, topography was an important factor governing the diversity and distribution of lianas. The species richness, abundance and basal area in the valley were 171%, 420% and 606% greater, respectively, than hillslope sites. A total of 12 species grew exclusively in valley sites. These results suggest that lianas have habitat preferences in the mid-montane moist evergreen broad-leaved forests of the Ailao Mountains.