The effects of dispersal, herbivory, and competition on plant community assembly.

ABSTRACT: Dispersal is a key process in community assembly but is often considered separately from downstream assembly processes (e.g., competition, herbivory). However, dispersal varies by species and can interact with other assembly processes through establishment as species enter communities. Here, we sought to distinguish the role of dispersal in community assembly and its interaction with two biotic assembly processes: competition and herbivory. We used a tallgrass prairie restoration experiment that manipulated the competitive and herbivore environments while allowing for natural dispersal and establishment from a diverse regional species pool into areas of low diversity. Dispersal, competition, and herbivory all influenced local communities. By tracking the spread of four target species acros

SUBMITTER: Allbee SA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10078099 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature