The role of lianas in temperate tree communities

In this chapter, the authors propose a scale-dependent framework of ecological drivers of lianas to organize existing information and suggest opportunities for further research on temperate liana ecology. Current knowledge on temperate liana ecology largely comes from North American systems, but throughout the chapter the authors include as much information as possible from other global regions in an attempt to provide a worldwide perspective of temperate lianas. The chapter examines many aspects of liana interactions with temperate tree communities. It follows a spatially hierarchical view of liana ecology to organize our current knowledge. The chapter presents empirical data that address the current understanding of the role of lianas in temperate forests and provide a basic framework of how temperate lianas fit into the surrounding community. The chapter discusses current research needs and unanswered questions, and concludes by recapping the future direction of temperate liana ecology.