Lambir liana project (argument)
From BiodivBorneo09
Lianas are an important part of a forest ecosystem, but their growth patterns are detrimental to the trees upon which they depend for support into the canopy.
Trees are likely to have adaptations to prevent lianas from growing on them; bark is a likely candidate due to liana use of tree trunks for bracing up to the canopy.
Physical characteristics of bark, peeling and smooth texture, were shown to be related significantly to the number of lianas on a tree.
Based on these facts, we believe that peeling bark is a tree adaptation to defend against growth of lianas.