Lianas of the Guianas: A Field Guide to Woody Climbers in the Tropical Forests of Guyana, Suriname and French Guyana

Lianas (woody vines) are iconic symbols of tropical forests around the world. In the forests of the Guiana, 25-45% of the vegetation consists of these woody climbing plants. Lianas contributes significantly to tropical forest diversity, carbon sequestration, biomass, plant-animal interactions and forest gap dynamics. Although they are often considered harmful in commercial forestry, woody climbers are important to many traditional people for use in medicine, and a source of fibres and non-timber forest products.

Largely due to the inaccessibility of their flowers and fruits, lianas and other climbers remain among the most poorly documented life-forms in the tropics. This book aims to provide an overview and advance understanding of woody climber diversity in the Guianas (Guyana, French Guiana and Suriname).
44 families, 175 genera, and nearly 400 species are described in detail, with ± 1300 species (including herbaceous climbers) in a comprehensive checklist. English language