A pandemic of lianas is sweeping through tropical forests, reducing their ability to store carbon and limiting their role in mitigating climate change. Two recent studies from Leiden University highlight the issue. "We now understand why lianas are visible in satellite imagery," say the researchers.
In the United States, this exact same problem is happening with the invasive English Ivy and the Himalayan Blackberry.
They are choking up the trees and people do not always know to remove them.