Stand Diversity Does Not Mitigate Increased Herbivory on Climate-Matched Oaks in an Assisted Migration Experiment.

ABSTRACT: Assisted migration is a tree-planting method where tree species or populations are translocated with the aim of establishing more climate-resilient forests. However, this might potentially increase the susceptibility of translocated trees to herbivory. Stand diversification through planting trees in species or genotypic mixtures may reduce the amount of damage by insect pests, but its effectiveness in mitigation of excess herbivory on climate-matched trees has seldom been explored. Using the Climate Match Experiment which manipulates both tree climatic provenance and stand diversity, we compared growth, insect herbivory and leaf traits of pedunculate oaks (Quercus robur) of local and Italian provenances in monocultures, provenance mixtures or species mixtures. Additionally, we investigated

SUBMITTER: Felix JA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11963489 | biostudies-literature | 2025 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature