Herbivore and pathogen effects on tree growth are additive, but mediated by tree diversity and plant traits.

ABSTRACT: Herbivores and fungal pathogens are key drivers of plant community composition and functioning. The effects of herbivores and pathogens are mediated by the diversity and functional characteristics of their host plants. However, the combined effects of herbivory and pathogen damage, and their consequences for plant performance, have not yet been addressed in the context of biodiversity-ecosystem functioning research. We analyzed the relationships between herbivory, fungal pathogen damage and their effects on tree growth in a large-scale forest-biodiversity experiment. Moreover, we tested whether variation in leaf trait and climatic niche characteristics among tree species influenced these relationships. We found significant positive effects of herbivory on pathogen damage, and vice versa. T

SUBMITTER: Schuldt A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5606881 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature