Current Status and Future Prospects

Abstract

We can safely assume from Chapter 2 that liana research is expanding rapidly. However, there is a significant disparity between the various research themes investigated. The number of phytosociological studies, for example, is at least 20 times greater than the number of studies on the evolutionary aspects of climbers. Similarly, while many studies on lianas in forest management practices exist, technological applications are underutilized in climber-related research. I analyzed the shift in theme-related research across decades to see if these disparities are dynamic. I filtered the climber research materials published between 1980 and 2020 (see Chapter 2) because the majority of research has been published in the last four decades (˃90 percent). The research materials published between 1980 and 2020 were divided into four distinct categories, one for each decade (Fig. 4.1). The research materials under each decade were further classified based on the research theme (See Chapter 2). Although the number of studies increased significantly, there is a clear pattern of a few research themes dominating the study period. Some of the rare and yet important research topics have received little attention. Therefore, in this chapter, I look at potential scientific gaps in global climber research that need to be addressed immediately, as well as future prospects. Furthermore, I highlight lesser-known areas of climber research that merit more attention.