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Lianas are taking over the rainforests, and it's visible from space
https://phys.org/news/2025-05-lianas-rainforests-visible-space.ampA pandemic of lianas is sweeping through tropical forests, reducing their ability to store carbon and limiting their role in mitigating climate change. Two recent studies from Leiden University highlight the issue. "We now understand why lianas are visible in satellite imagery," say the researchers.
Tropical forests annually absorb roughly the amount of CO₂ emitted by the whole of Europe. They also house around half of the world's biodiversity. However, their contribution to climate regulation and biodiversity is under threat—not only from deforestation but also from an extraordinary surge in lianas. Ecologist Marco Visser from Leiden's Center for Environmental Sciences (CML) explains, "Lianas can smother and kill trees. When they dominate, the forest becomes choked, and mainly lianas continue growing over fallen trees."
Tropical forests annually absorb roughly the amount of CO₂ emitted by the whole of Europe. They also house around half of the world's biodiversity. However, their contribution to climate regulation and biodiversity is under threat—not only from deforestation but also from an extraordinary surge in lianas. Ecologist Marco Visser from Leiden's Center for Environmental Sciences (CML) explains, "Lianas can smother and kill trees. When they dominate, the forest becomes choked, and mainly lianas continue growing over fallen trees."
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