Data from: The negative effect of lianas on tree growth varies with tree species and season

Lianas reduce tree growth, reproduction, and survival in tropical forests.
Liana competition can be particularly intense in isolated forest
fragments, where liana densities are high, and thus host tree infestation
is common. Furthermore, lianas appear to grow particularly well during
seasonal drought, when they may compete particularly intensely with trees.
Few studies, however, have experimentally quantified the seasonal effects
of liana competition on multiple tree species in tropical forests. We used
a liana-removal experiment in a forest fragment in southeastern Brazil to
test whether the effects of lianas on tree growth varies with season and
tree species identity. We conducted monthly diameter measurements using
dendrometer bands on 88 individuals of five tree species for 24 months. We
found that lianas had a stronger negative effect on some tree species
during the wet season compared to the dry season. Furthermore, lianas
significantly reduced the diameter growth of two tree species but had no
effect on the other three tree species. The strong negative effect of
lianas on some trees, particularly during the wet season, indicates that
the effect of lianas on trees varies both seasonally and with tree species
identity.