Figures and Tables Legends
Figure 1 – Framework used in this study. Liana species (woody
climbers) may be classified into two main types of climbing on supports:
passive and active mechanisms. Each group has different types of
strategies (see explanation in Box 1). The upper blue arrow indicates an
increase in complexity of the type of climbing mechanism from scrambler
to tendril. The lower blue arrow indicates an increase in the maximum
size (diameter) of the support to which each type of climbing mechanism
can attach. Note that the constraint in size support is valid only for
species with active climbing since species with passive climbing do not
climb and pass over different supports.
Figure 2 – Functional trait differences among liana species
per climbing mechanism type (a-f) based on synthesis from literature.
Note that leaf area (d) and seed mass (f) are in the logarithmic scale.
Figure 3 – Results from the piecewise structural equation
models for abundance of active and passive climbing species across the
tropics. In (a), structural equation model explaining liana density per
plot of the active climbing species in relation to forest structure,
climate and soils. In (b), structural equation model explaining liana
density per plot of the passive climbing species in relation to forest
structure, climate and soils. TEMP = temperature; PREC = precipitation;
and CEC = cation exchange. Transparent arrows represent non-significant
coefficients and dashed arrows represent marginally significant
coefficients (0.05 < P < 0.1). Density is the
number of individuals per ha. The inset map shows the location of the
plots used in this study.
Figure 4 – Results from the piecewise structural equation
models for richness of active and passive climbing species across the
tropics. In (a), structural equation model explaining liana species
richness per plot of the active climbing species in relation to forest
structure, climate and soils. In (b), structural equation model
explaining liana species richness per plot of the passive climbing
species in relation to forest structure, climate and soils. TEMP =
temperature; PREC = precipitation; and CEC = cation exchange.
Transparent arrows represent non-significant coefficients and dashed
arrows represent marginally significant coefficients (0.05 <P < 0.1). Species richness is the number of species per
ha. The inset map shows the location of the plots used in this study.
Figure 5 – Map showing the relative proportion of species
richness per climbing mechanism across biogeographical realms. Note that
the relative proportion of active to passive climbing species richness
is significantly higher in the Neotropics (Table S1).