Canopy height explains species richness in the largest clade of Neotropical lianas

摘要: AIM: Tall and structurally complex forests can provide ample habitat niche space for climbing plants, supporting high liana species richness. We test to what extent canopy height (as a proxy of 3‐D structure), climate soil interact determine richness in the largest clade Neotropical lianas. expect that effect on is higher lianas from closed tropical rain compared riparian savanna habitats. LOCATION: Neotropics. TIME PERIOD: Present. MAJOR TAXA STUDIED: Tribe Bignonieae (Bignoniaceae). METHODS: used structural equation models evaluate direct indirect effects height, (temperature, precipitation seasonality), (cation exchange capacity types) overall (339 species), as well forest, habitats, respectively. further performed multiple regression with Moran's eigenvector maps account spatial autocorrelation. RESULTS: Canopy was key driver richness, addition soil. Species forest showed strong positive relationship whereas less pronounced species. Richness decreased increasing height. Climate also explained substantial proportion variation variables little explanatory power. MAIN CONCLUSIONS: The between differs among While benefit tall habitats physical support reach escape low light availability understorey, open an increased risk embolism conductive vessels long stems living areas seasonality might explain inverse savannas.