Plant traits affecting herbivory on tree recruits in highly diverse subtropical forests

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Authors

Differences in herbivory among woody species can greatly affect the functioning of forest ecosystems, particularly in species-rich (sub)tropical regions. However, the relative importance of the different plant traits which determine herbivore damage remains unclear. Defence traits can have strong effects on herbivory, but rarely studied geographical range characteristics could complement these effects through evolutionary associations with herbivores. Herein, we use a large number of morphological, chemical, phylogenetic and biogeographical characteristics to analyse interspecific differences in herbivory on tree saplings in subtropical China. Unexpectedly, we found no significant effects of chemical defence traits. Rather, herbivory was related to the plants' leaf morphology, local abundance and climatic niche characteristics, which together explained 70% of the interspecific variation in herbivory in phylogenetic regression. Our study indicates that besides defence traits and apparency to herbivores, previously neglected measures of large-scale geographical host distribution are important factors influencing local herbivory patterns among plant species.
Original languageEnglish
JournalEcology Letters
Volume15
Issue number7
Pages (from-to)732-739
Number of pages8
ISSN1461-023X
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 07.2012

    Research areas

  • Biology - BEF-China, ecosystem functioning, Gutianshan National Nature Reserve, latitudinal range, phenolics, phytochemical diversity, Plant defence, Plant-insect interactions, Species richness, Tannins
  • Ecosystems Research

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