Tree species richness attenuates the positive relationship between mutualistic ant-hemipteran interactions and leaf chewer herbivory.

ABSTRACT: Interactions across trophic levels influence plant diversity effects on ecosystem functions, but the complexity of these interactions remains poorly explored. For example, the interplay between different interactions (e.g. mutualism, predation) might be an important moderator of biodiversity-ecosystem function relationships. We tested for relationships between trophobioses (facultative ant-hemipteran mutualism) and leaf chewer herbivory in a subtropical forest biodiversity experiment. We analysed trophobiosis and herbivory data of more than 10 000 trees along a tree species richness gradient. Against expectations, chewing damage was higher on trees with trophobioses. However, the net positive relationship between trophobioses and overall herbivory depended on tree species richness, being m

SUBMITTER: Schuldt A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5597841 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature