Dataset Information
Clonal reproduction as a driver of liana proliferation following large-scale disturbances in temperate forests.
Ontology highlight
ABSTRACT: Premise
Large-scale disturbances significantly impact forest dynamics, structure, and biodiversity. Lianas proliferate rapidly after such events, likely through clonal reproduction. Understanding this process is challenging because it requires precise disturbance history and accurate estimation of whether individuals originated from clonal reproduction, seed reproduction, or preexisting vegetation.Methods
We examined whether clonal reproduction drives liana proliferation in both early successional and mature forest conditions by analyzing the dominant liana species (Trachelospermum asiaticum var. asiaticum; Apocynaceae) in temperate forests on a volcanic island. The study included young forests recovering from a volcanic eruption 22 yr ago and old-growth forests unaffected by eruptions for >800 yr. We established six 100 m2 quadrats (three in each forest type), sampled 586 individuals, and used 11 microsatellite markers to assess genetic structure.Results
Significant clonal expansion was observed in both forest types, but stem density and genetic diversity varied markedly. Old-growth forests had 14 times greater stem density and five times more genets (clones) than young forests, and exhibited unexpectedly greater clonal diversity despite their advanced successional stage. This indicates that clonal reproduction results in high abundance in both forest conditions, while both seed and clonal reproduction enhance clonal diversity in old-growth forests.Conclusions
Our analysis revealed that a few genets, recruited via seed dispersal in early successional stages, rapidly expanded through extensive clonal reproduction, leading to long-term liana proliferation. These findings highlight how clonality and seed recruitment, together with environmental changes during succession, shape the population dynamics and clonal diversity of lianas following disturbances.
SUBMITTER: Mori H
PROVIDER: S-EPMC12374572 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Aug
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Publications
Clonal reproduction as a driver of liana proliferation following large-scale disturbances in temperate forests.
American journal of botany 20250813 8
<h4>Premise</h4>Large-scale disturbances significantly impact forest dynamics, structure, and biodiversity. Lianas proliferate rapidly after such events, likely through clonal reproduction. Understanding this process is challenging because it requires precise disturbance history and accurate estimation of whether individuals originated from clonal reproduction, seed reproduction, or preexisting vegetation.<h4>Methods</h4>We examined whether clonal reproduction drives liana proliferation in both ...[more]
