Intra- and interspecific tree diversity promotes multitrophic plant–Hemiptera–ant interactions in a forest diversity experiment
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In: Basic and Applied Ecology, Vol. 29, 06.2018, p. 89-97.
Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
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TY - JOUR
T1 - Intra- and interspecific tree diversity promotes multitrophic plant–Hemiptera–ant interactions in a forest diversity experiment
AU - Cao, Huan Xi
AU - Klein, Alexandra Maria
AU - Zhu, Chaodong
AU - Staab, Michael
AU - Durka, Walter
AU - Fischer, Markus
AU - Fornoff, Felix
N1 - Publisher Copyright: © 2018 Gesellschaft für Ökologie
PY - 2018/6
Y1 - 2018/6
N2 - Interactions between species of different trophic levels have long been recognized as fundamental processes in ecology. Although mounting evidence indicates that plant species diversity (PSD) or plant genetic diversity (PGD) can influence the plant-associated arthropod community, these two fundamental levels of biodiversity are not often manipulated simultaneously to assess their effects on species interactions. We used a large tree diversity experiment (BEF-China), which manipulates PSD and PGD in a crossed design to test individual and combined effects of PSD and PGD on multitrophic interaction networks and interaction partner species richness and occurrence. We focused on two tree species, on which sap-sucking Hemiptera and interacting ant species commonly occur. This tri-trophic interaction can be divided into the antagonistic plant–Hemiptera interaction and the mutualistic Hemiptera–ant interaction, known as trophobioses. Qualitative evaluation of tri-trophic interaction networks at different PSD and PGD combinations showed increased interaction partner redundancy at high PSD and PGD. This was supported by increased Hemiptera species richness at high PSD and PGD. Furthermore, the data indicate higher occurrence of Hemiptera and trophobioses and higher trophobiotic ant species richness with increasing PSD and PGD. As no plant diversity component alone caused an effect we conclude that the combined effect of high PGD and high PSD might be additive. In summary, as plant genetic diversity, especially at low species richness, seems to increase the interaction partner redundancy in interaction networks and the diversity of interacting communities, we suggest that genetic diversity should be considered in forest conservation and restoration programs.
AB - Interactions between species of different trophic levels have long been recognized as fundamental processes in ecology. Although mounting evidence indicates that plant species diversity (PSD) or plant genetic diversity (PGD) can influence the plant-associated arthropod community, these two fundamental levels of biodiversity are not often manipulated simultaneously to assess their effects on species interactions. We used a large tree diversity experiment (BEF-China), which manipulates PSD and PGD in a crossed design to test individual and combined effects of PSD and PGD on multitrophic interaction networks and interaction partner species richness and occurrence. We focused on two tree species, on which sap-sucking Hemiptera and interacting ant species commonly occur. This tri-trophic interaction can be divided into the antagonistic plant–Hemiptera interaction and the mutualistic Hemiptera–ant interaction, known as trophobioses. Qualitative evaluation of tri-trophic interaction networks at different PSD and PGD combinations showed increased interaction partner redundancy at high PSD and PGD. This was supported by increased Hemiptera species richness at high PSD and PGD. Furthermore, the data indicate higher occurrence of Hemiptera and trophobioses and higher trophobiotic ant species richness with increasing PSD and PGD. As no plant diversity component alone caused an effect we conclude that the combined effect of high PGD and high PSD might be additive. In summary, as plant genetic diversity, especially at low species richness, seems to increase the interaction partner redundancy in interaction networks and the diversity of interacting communities, we suggest that genetic diversity should be considered in forest conservation and restoration programs.
KW - Ant
KW - BEF-China
KW - Bottom-up
KW - Cinnamomum camphora
KW - Hemiptera
KW - Idesia polycarpa
KW - Interaction network
KW - Multitrophic
KW - Subtropical forest
KW - Tree genotype diversity
KW - Biology
KW - Ecosystems Research
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85044575696&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.baae.2018.03.005
DO - 10.1016/j.baae.2018.03.005
M3 - Journal articles
AN - SCOPUS:85044575696
VL - 29
SP - 89
EP - 97
JO - Basic and Applied Ecology
JF - Basic and Applied Ecology
SN - 1439-1791
ER -