Forest structure determines the structure and functional traits of liana community during secondary succession in a temperate oak forest

Abstract Forest disturbance and climate change have caused a growing abundance of lianas in tropical and many temperate forests, which imparts a sense of urgency to explore the factors that control liana community assembly. Here, we examined the changes in liana community structure and functional traits during secondary succession in a warm temperate oak forest, and then analyzed how these varied with forest structural and soil properties. Liana species showed lower stem density in the late stage (85 ind. ha–¹) than the earlier two stages (190 ind. ha–¹ and 230 ind. ha–¹, respectively). Liana diversity also decreased along the succession. Compared with the earlier successional stages, lianas in the late successional stage invested more in acquisitive stem (lower wood density) and root (lower root carbon content). The decreases in liana abundance and wood density were strongly related to the decreasing tree diversity and the increasing canopy cover, tree diameter and tree height, with weak relationships with soil properties. These results indicated that forest structure is the main driver of lianas community structural and functional assembly during forest succession, and is likely to shape liana community mainly by filtering stem traits.