Description
Invertebrate herbivory, serving as a pivotal process in regulating plants' growth, development, and reproductive success, is inherently susceptible to alterations induced by land use changes, encompassing modifications in landscape patterns, habitat quality, resource availability, and species interactions, etc. However, the relationship between land use changes and invertebrate herbivory, although extensively studied, continues to exhibit inconsistent effects across different ecological contexts, and the underlying mechanisms driving these intricate dynamics remain elusive, emphasizing the need for further research. In our study, we accessed the invertebrate herbivory and five key morphological traits in a diverse assemblage of 14 plant species commonly found in semi-grassland habitats across 18 field sites differing in the surrounding land use intensity in Southern Sweden. We found that: 1) Within four landscape parameters, the percentage of permanent grassland had the most pronounced influence on herbivory. Both permanent grassland and forest generally had positive effects on herbivory. In contrast, leys were more likely to have a negative impact, while the percentage of arable crops had the least effect. 2) Some plant species like Achillea millefolium, Ranunculus acris, and Galium verum are particularly sensitive to land use changes, emphasizing their vulnerability and ecological significance in the grassland systems. 3) Plant morphological traits, particularly plant height, also can affect herbivory. However, the effects of these traits vary inconsistently across different species, indicating the need for further studies to better understand their role. Further analysis are currently addressing the covariation in insect herbivory and flower visitation, as well as the herbivorous insect communities along the landscape gradients.Period | 2023 Sept 12 |
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Event title | GfÖ Annual Meeting 2023 - 52nd Annual Meeting of the Ecological Society of Germany, Austria and Switzerland: The Future of Biodiversity – overcoming barriers of taxa, realms and scales |
Event type | Conference |
Conference number | 52 |
Location | Leipzig, Germany, SaxonyShow on map |
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Research output
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Plant-insect interactions in grassland ecosystems: Assessing consequences of landscape change and environmental stressors
Research output: Thesis › Doctoral Thesis (compilation)
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Projects