XVI International Botanical Congess

Biomechanical analyses (in the broadest definition including hydro- and aerodynamics) can help to establish links between mainly descriptive ecomorphological studies and analytical ecophysiological studies. This may help to improve the understanding of aut- and synecology of plants and of selective forces acting on plants. The benefit of ecobiomechanical studies correlating form, structure and (mechanical) function to environmental constraints is exemplified by discussing the variations of bending and torsional mechanical properties in typical lianas and semi-self-supporting climbers, becoming lianescent only in their oldest ontogenetic stage. The ecological importance of the differences in mechanical properties is explained with respect to the survival of lianas and semi-self-supporting climbers after breakage of supporting branches or falling of entire host trees. It could be shown that different types of lianas and semi-self-supporting climbers vary in their efficiency of colonizing clearings of different size.