Lianas represent an important component of the structure and diversity of tropical forests. Normally, in disturbed forest a higher density and biomass of lianas is found compared with undisturbed forests. The aim of this study was to evaluate if the abundance and biomass of lianas differ between bamboo-dominated and non-dominated areas in Parque Estadual das Fontes do Ipiranga. Sample plots of 0.7 ha were established in both areas, and a standard census protocol for woody lianas > 1 cm were used. We found 277 lianas (395 ind. ha-1) in the bamboo-dominated area and 754 lianas (1,077 ind. ha-1) in the non-dominated area. The biomass, abundance and the proportion of infested trees were significantly different between areas. Lianas > 5 cm diameter accounted for 75% of total biomass in the bamboo-dominated area and 21,4% in the non-dominated area. In bamboo-dominated area lianas may be suppressed by absence of supports and by competition with Aulonemia aristulata a native scandent bamboo.
Aulonemia aristulata; bamboo; forest fragment; lianas biomass
