Species-environment interactions changed by introduced herbivores in an oceanic high-mountain ecosystem.

ABSTRACT: Summit areas of oceanic islands constitute some of the most isolated ecosystems on earth, highly vulnerable to climate change and introduced species. Within the unique high-elevation communities of Tenerife (Canary Islands), reproductive success and thus long-term survival of species may depend on environmental suitability as well as threat by introduced herbivores. By experimentally modifying the endemic and vulnerable species Viola cheiranthifolia along its entire altitudinal occurrence range, we studied plant performance, autofertility, pollen limitation and visitation rate and the interactive effect of grazing by non-native rabbits on them. We assessed the grazing effects by recording (1) the proportion of consumed plants and flowers along the gradient, (2) comparing fitness traits of

SUBMITTER: Segui J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5497022 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature