Altered precipitation and root herbivory affect the productivity and composition of a mesic grassland.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Climate change models predict changes in the amount, frequency and seasonality of precipitation events, all of which have the potential to affect the structure and function of grassland ecosystems. While previous studies have examined plant or herbivore responses to these perturbations, few have examined their interactions; even fewer have included belowground herbivores. Given the ecological, economic and biodiversity value of grasslands, and their importance globally for carbon storage and agriculture, this is an important knowledge gap. To address this, we conducted a precipitation manipulation experiment in a former mesic pasture grassland comprising a mixture of C₄ grasses and C₃ grasses and forbs, in southeast Australia. Rainfall treatments in

SUBMITTER: Barnett KL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8283849 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature