Vertical canopy gradient shaping the stratification of leaf-chewer-parasitoid interactions in a temperate forest.

ABSTRACT: Knowledge about herbivores and their parasitoids in forest canopies remains limited, despite their diversity and ecological importance. Thus, it is important to understand the factors that shape the herbivore-parasitoid community structure, particularly the effect of vertical gradient. We investigated a quantitative community dataset of exposed and semiconcealed leaf-chewing larvae and their parasitoids along a vertical canopy gradient in a temperate forest. We sampled target insects using an elevated work platform in a 0.2 ha broadleaf deciduous forest plot in the Czech Republic. We analyzed the effect of vertical position among three canopy levels (first [lowest], second [middle], and third [highest]) and tree species on community descriptors (density, diversity, and parasitism rate) and

SUBMITTER: Sigut M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6106176 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature