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Staab M, Pietsch S, Yan H, Blüthgen N, Cheng A, Li Y, Zhang N, Ma K, Liu X. Dear neighbor: Trees with extrafloral nectaries facilitate defense and growth of adjacent undefended trees. Ecology 2023; 104:e4057. [PMID: 37078562 DOI: 10.1002/ecy.4057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2022] [Revised: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 04/21/2023]
Abstract
Plant diversity can increase productivity. One mechanism behind this biodiversity effect is facilitation, which is when one species increases the performance of another species. Plants with extrafloral nectaries (EFNs) establish defense mutualisms with ants. However, whether EFN plants facilitate defense of neighboring non-EFN plants is unknown. Synthesizing data on ants, herbivores, leaf damage, and defense traits from a forest biodiversity experiment, we show that trees growing adjacent to EFN trees had higher ant biomass and species richness and lower caterpillar biomass than conspecific controls without EFN-bearing neighbors. Concurrently, the composition of defense traits in non-EFN trees changed. Thus, when non-EFN trees benefit from lower herbivore loads as a result of ants spilling over from EFN tree neighbors, this may allow relatively reduced resource allocation to defense in the former, potentially explaining the higher growth of those trees. Via this mutualist-mediated facilitation, promoting EFN trees in tropical reforestation could foster carbon capture and multiple other ecosystem functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Staab
- Ecological Networks, Technical University Darmstadt, Darmstadt, Germany
- Nature Conservation and Landscape Ecology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
| | - Stefanie Pietsch
- Nature Conservation and Landscape Ecology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
- Field Station Fabrikschleichach, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Haoru Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetation and Environmental Change, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Nico Blüthgen
- Ecological Networks, Technical University Darmstadt, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Anpeng Cheng
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetation and Environmental Change, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yi Li
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetation and Environmental Change, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Naili Zhang
- College of Forestry, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China
| | - Keping Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetation and Environmental Change, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaojuan Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetation and Environmental Change, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Zhejiang Qianjiangyuan Forest Biodiversity National Observation and Research Station, Beijing, China
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2
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Müller M, Kües U, Budde KB, Gailing O. Applying molecular and genetic methods to trees and their fungal communities. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2023; 107:2783-2830. [PMID: 36988668 PMCID: PMC10106355 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-023-12480-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2022] [Revised: 03/05/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023]
Abstract
Forests provide invaluable economic, ecological, and social services. At the same time, they are exposed to several threats, such as fragmentation, changing climatic conditions, or increasingly destructive pests and pathogens. Trees, the inherent species of forests, cannot be viewed as isolated organisms. Manifold (micro)organisms are associated with trees playing a pivotal role in forest ecosystems. Of these organisms, fungi may have the greatest impact on the life of trees. A multitude of molecular and genetic methods are now available to investigate tree species and their associated organisms. Due to their smaller genome sizes compared to tree species, whole genomes of different fungi are routinely compared. Such studies have only recently started in forest tree species. Here, we summarize the application of molecular and genetic methods in forest conservation genetics, tree breeding, and association genetics as well as for the investigation of fungal communities and their interrelated ecological functions. These techniques provide valuable insights into the molecular basis of adaptive traits, the impacts of forest management, and changing environmental conditions on tree species and fungal communities and can enhance tree-breeding cycles due to reduced time for field testing. It becomes clear that there are multifaceted interactions among microbial species as well as between these organisms and trees. We demonstrate the versatility of the different approaches based on case studies on trees and fungi. KEY POINTS: • Current knowledge of genetic methods applied to forest trees and associated fungi. • Genomic methods are essential in conservation, breeding, management, and research. • Important role of phytobiomes for trees and their ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Markus Müller
- Forest Genetics and Forest Tree Breeding, Faculty for Forest Sciences and Forest Ecology, University of Goettingen, Büsgenweg 2, 37077, Göttingen, Germany.
- Center for Integrated Breeding Research (CiBreed), University of Goettingen, 37073, Göttingen, Germany.
| | - Ursula Kües
- Molecular Wood Biotechnology and Technical Mycology, Faculty for Forest Sciences and Forest Ecology, University of Goettingen, Büsgenweg 2, 37077, Göttingen, Germany
- Center for Molecular Biosciences (GZMB), Georg-August-University Göttingen, 37077, Göttingen, Germany
- Center of Sustainable Land Use (CBL), Georg-August-University Göttingen, 37077, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Katharina B Budde
- Forest Genetics and Forest Tree Breeding, Faculty for Forest Sciences and Forest Ecology, University of Goettingen, Büsgenweg 2, 37077, Göttingen, Germany
- Center of Sustainable Land Use (CBL), Georg-August-University Göttingen, 37077, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Oliver Gailing
- Forest Genetics and Forest Tree Breeding, Faculty for Forest Sciences and Forest Ecology, University of Goettingen, Büsgenweg 2, 37077, Göttingen, Germany
- Center for Integrated Breeding Research (CiBreed), University of Goettingen, 37073, Göttingen, Germany
- Center of Sustainable Land Use (CBL), Georg-August-University Göttingen, 37077, Göttingen, Germany
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3
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Xiao L, Labandeira CC, Ren D. Insect herbivory immediately before the eclipse of the gymnosperms: The Dawangzhangzi plant assemblage of Northeastern China. INSECT SCIENCE 2022; 29:1483-1520. [PMID: 34874612 DOI: 10.1111/1744-7917.12988] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2021] [Revised: 09/28/2021] [Accepted: 11/18/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The Early Cretaceous terrestrial revolution involved global shifts from gymnosperm- to angiosperm-dominated floras. However, responses of insect herbivores to these changes remain unexamined. We evaluated 2 176 highly sampled plant specimens representing 62 species/morphotypes from the 126 Ma Dawangzhangzi plant assemblage of Northeastern China. Our study consisted of horsetails, ferns, ginkgoaleans, czekanowskialeans, conifers, and an angiosperm. Their herbivory was evaluated by the functional feeding groups of hole feeding, margin feeding, and surface feeding (ectophytic feeders); piercer and suckers, and ovipositing insects (ectoendophytic feeders); mining, galling, and borings (endophytic feeders); and pathogens, collectively constituting 65 damage types (DTs). The plant assemblage was assessed for herbivory richness by DT richness, component community structure, and DT specialization on plant hosts; for herbivory intensity, it was evaluated for DT frequency, herbivorized surface area, and feeding event occurrences. Using feeding event occurrences, the data supported seven species/morphotypes as most intensely herbivorized: Liaoningocladus boii (76.6%), Czekanowskia sp. 1 (8.4%), Czekanowskia rigida (4.10%), Lindleycladus lanceolatus (3.5%), Ginkgoites sp. 2 (2.0%), Podozamites sp. 1 (1.1%), and Solenites sp. 1 (0.9%). The most herbivorized taxa were pinaleans (conifers), then czekanowskialeans, and lastly ginkgoaleans; the monodominant component community was the conifer Liaoningocladus boii. DT host specialization levels were low. The plant assemblage had an overall low 0.86% of foliage removed by herbivores, explained by physical and chemical antiherbivore defenses, and parasitoid attack. Although Paleozoic, gymnosperm-dominated assemblages had greater herbivory, component community structure of the three most herbivorized taxa are more similar to modern bracken fern and willow than modern gymnosperm taxa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lifang Xiao
- College of Life Science and Academy for Multidisciplinary Studies, Capital Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Conrad C Labandeira
- College of Life Science and Academy for Multidisciplinary Studies, Capital Normal University, Beijing, China
- Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History, Washington, DC, USA
- Department of Entomology and Bees Program, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
| | - Dong Ren
- College of Life Science and Academy for Multidisciplinary Studies, Capital Normal University, Beijing, China
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4
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Huang Y, Schuldt A, Hönig L, Yang B, Liu X, Bruelheide H, Ma K, Schmid B, Niklaus PA. Effects of enemy exclusion on biodiversity-productivity relationships in a subtropical forest experiment. THE JOURNAL OF ECOLOGY 2022; 110:2167-2178. [PMID: 36250130 PMCID: PMC9544039 DOI: 10.1111/1365-2745.13940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2021] [Accepted: 05/02/2022] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Interspecific niche complementarity is a key mechanism posited to explain positive species richness-productivity relationships in plant communities. However, the exact nature of the niche dimensions that plant species partition remains poorly known.Species may partition abiotic resources that limit their growth, but species may also be specialized with respect to their set of biotic interactions with other trophic levels, in particular with enemies including pathogens and consumers. The lower host densities present in more species-diverse plant communities may therefore result in smaller populations of specialized enemies, and in a smaller associated negative feedback these enemies exert on plant productivity.To test whether such host density-dependent effects of enemies drive diversity-productivity relationships in young forest stands, we experimentally manipulated leaf fungal pathogens and insect herbivores in a large subtropical forest biodiversity-ecosystem functioning experiment in China (BEF-China).We found that fungicide spraying of tree canopies removed the positive tree-species richness-productivity relationship present in untreated control plots. The tree species that contributed the most to this effect were the ones with the highest fungicide-induced growth increase in monoculture. Insecticide application did not cause comparable effects. Synthesis. Our findings suggest that tree species diversity may not only promote productivity by interspecific resource-niche partitioning but also by trophic niche partitioning. Most likely, partitioning occurred with respect to enemies such as pathogenic fungi. Alternatively, similar effects on tree growth would have occurred if fungicide had eliminated positive effects of a higher diversity of beneficial fungi (e.g. mycorrhizal symbionts) that may have occurred in mixed tree species communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanyuan Huang
- Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental StudiesUniversity of ZürichZürichSwitzerland
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv)Halle‐Jena‐LeipzigLeipzigGermany
- Institute of BiologyLeipzig UniversityLeipzigGermany
| | - Andreas Schuldt
- Forest Nature ConservationGeorg‐August‐University GöttingenGöttingenGermany
| | - Lydia Hönig
- Institute of Biology, Geobotany and Botanical GardenMartin‐Luther‐University Halle‐WittenbergHalleGermany
| | - Bo Yang
- Key Laboratory of Plant Resources and Biodiversity of Jiangxi ProvinceJingdezhen UniversityJingdezhenChina
| | - Xiaojuan Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetation and Environmental Change, Institute of BotanyThe Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Helge Bruelheide
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv)Halle‐Jena‐LeipzigLeipzigGermany
- Institute of Biology, Geobotany and Botanical GardenMartin‐Luther‐University Halle‐WittenbergHalleGermany
| | - Keping Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetation and Environmental Change, Institute of BotanyThe Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Bernhard Schmid
- Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental StudiesUniversity of ZürichZürichSwitzerland
- Department of Geography, Remote Sensing LaboratoriesUniversity of ZürichZürichSwitzerland
- Institute of Ecology, College of Urban and Environmental SciencesPeking UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Pascal A. Niklaus
- Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental StudiesUniversity of ZürichZürichSwitzerland
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5
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Buatois LA, Davies NS, Gibling MR, Krapovickas V, Labandeira CC, MacNaughton RB, Mángano MG, Minter NJ, Shillito AP. The Invasion of the Land in Deep Time: Integrating Paleozoic Records of Paleobiology, Ichnology, Sedimentology, and Geomorphology. Integr Comp Biol 2022; 62:297-331. [PMID: 35640908 DOI: 10.1093/icb/icac059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Revised: 04/19/2022] [Accepted: 05/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The invasion of the land was a complex, protracted process, punctuated by mass extinctions, that involved multiple routes from marine environments. We integrate paleobiology, ichnology, sedimentology, and geomorphology to reconstruct Paleozoic terrestrialization. Cambrian landscapes were dominated by laterally mobile rivers with unstable banks in the absence of significant vegetation. Temporary incursions by arthropods and worm-like organisms into coastal environments apparently did not result in establishment of continental communities. Contemporaneous lacustrine faunas may have been inhibited by limited nutrient delivery and high sediment loads. The Ordovician appearance of early land plants triggered a shift in the primary locus of the global clay mineral factory, increasing the amount of mudrock on the continents. The Silurian-Devonian rise of vascular land plants, including the first forests and extensive root systems, was instrumental in further retaining fine sediment on alluvial plains. These innovations led to increased architectural complexity of braided and meandering rivers. Landscape changes were synchronous with establishment of freshwater and terrestrial arthropod faunas in overbank areas, abandoned fluvial channels, lake margins, ephemeral lakes, and inland deserts. Silurian-Devonian lakes experienced improved nutrient availability, due to increased phosphate weathering and terrestrial humic matter. All these changes favoured frequent invasions to permament establishment of jawless and jawed fishes in freshwater habitats and the subsequent tetrapod colonization of the land. The Carboniferous saw rapid diversification of tetrapods, mostly linked to aquatic reproduction, and land plants, including gymnosperms. Deeper root systems promoted further riverbank stabilization, contributing to the rise of anabranching rivers and braided systems with vegetated islands. New lineages of aquatic insects developed and expanded novel feeding modes, including herbivory. Late Paleozoic soils commonly contain pervasive root and millipede traces. Lacustrine animal communities diversified, accompanied by increased food-web complexity and improved food delivery which may have favored permanent colonization of offshore and deep-water lake environments. These trends continued in the Permian, but progressive aridification favored formation of hypersaline lakes, which were stressful for colonization. The Capitanian and end-Permian extinctions affected lacustrine and fluvial biotas, particularly the invertebrate infauna, although burrowing may have allowed some tetrapods to survive associated global warming and increased aridification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis A Buatois
- Department of Geological Sciences, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5E2, Canada
| | - Neil S Davies
- Department of Earth Sciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire CB2 3EQ, UK
| | - Martin R Gibling
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia B3H 4R2, Canada
| | - Verónica Krapovickas
- Departamento de Ciencias Geológicas, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Intendente Güiraldes 2160, Ciudad Universitaria, C1428EGA, Argentina
| | - Conrad C Labandeira
- Department of Paleobiology, Smithsonian Institution, Washington DC 20013-7012, USA.,Department of Entomology and BEES Program, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 21740, USA.,College of Life Sciences, Capital Normal University, Beijing 100048, China
| | - Robert B MacNaughton
- Geological Survey of Canada (Calgary), Natural Resources Canada, Calgary, Alberta T2L 2A7, Canada
| | - M Gabriela Mángano
- Department of Geological Sciences, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5E2, Canada
| | - Nicholas J Minter
- School of the Environment, Geography, and Geosciences, University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth, Hampshire PO1 3QL, UK
| | - Anthony P Shillito
- Department of Earth Sciences, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford, UK
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6
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Makiola A, Holdaway RJ, Wood JR, Orwin KH, Glare TR, Dickie IA. Environmental and plant community drivers of plant pathogen composition and richness. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2022; 233:496-504. [PMID: 34651304 DOI: 10.1111/nph.17797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2021] [Accepted: 10/04/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Interactions between individual plant pathogens and their environment have been described many times. However, the relative contribution of different environmental parameters as controls of pathogen communities remains largely unknown. Here we investigate the importance of environmental factors, including geomorphology, climate, land use, soil and plant community composition, for a broad range of aboveground and belowground fungal, oomycete and bacterial plant pathogens. We found that plant community composition is the main driver of the composition and richness of plant pathogens after taking into account all other tested parameters, especially those related to climate and soil. In the face of future changes in climate and land use, our results suggest that changes in plant pathogen community composition and richness will primarily be mediated through changes in plant communities, rather than the direct effects of climate or soils.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Makiola
- Bio-Protection Research Centre, Lincoln University, Lincoln, 7647, New Zealand
| | | | - Jamie R Wood
- Manaaki Whenua - Landcare Research, Lincoln, 7640, New Zealand
| | - Kate H Orwin
- Manaaki Whenua - Landcare Research, Lincoln, 7640, New Zealand
| | - Travis R Glare
- Bio-Protection Research Centre, Lincoln University, Lincoln, 7647, New Zealand
| | - Ian A Dickie
- Bio-Protection Research Centre, School of Biological Sciences, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, 8140, New Zealand
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7
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Etzold S, Sterck F, Bose AK, Braun S, Buchmann N, Eugster W, Gessler A, Kahmen A, Peters RL, Vitasse Y, Walthert L, Ziemińska K, Zweifel R. Number of growth days and not length of the growth period determines radial stem growth of temperate trees. Ecol Lett 2021; 25:427-439. [PMID: 34882952 PMCID: PMC9299935 DOI: 10.1111/ele.13933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2021] [Revised: 10/07/2021] [Accepted: 11/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Radial stem growth dynamics at seasonal resolution are essential to understand how forests respond to climate change. We studied daily radial growth of 160 individuals of seven temperate tree species at 47 sites across Switzerland over 8 years. Growth of all species peaked in the early part of the growth season and commenced shortly before the summer solstice, but with species-specific seasonal patterns. Day length set a window of opportunity for radial growth. Within this window, the probability of daily growth was constrained particularly by air and soil moisture, resulting in intermittent growth to occur only on 29 to 77 days (30% to 80%) within the growth period. The number of days with growth largely determined annual growth, whereas the growth period length contributed less. We call for accounting for these non-linear intra-annual and species-specific growth dynamics in tree and forest models to reduce uncertainties in predictions under climate change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophia Etzold
- Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research WSL, Birmensdorf, Switzerland
| | - Frank Sterck
- Forest Ecology and Management Group, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Arun K Bose
- Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research WSL, Birmensdorf, Switzerland.,Forestry and Wood Technology Discipline, Khulna University, Khulna, Bangladesh
| | - Sabine Braun
- Institute of Applied Plant Biology AG, Witterswil, Switzerland
| | - Nina Buchmann
- Department of Environmental Systems Science, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Werner Eugster
- Department of Environmental Systems Science, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Arthur Gessler
- Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research WSL, Birmensdorf, Switzerland.,Department of Environmental Systems Science, Institute of Terrestrial Ecosystems, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Ansgar Kahmen
- Department of Environmental Science, Physiological Plant Ecology, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Richard L Peters
- Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research WSL, Birmensdorf, Switzerland.,Laboratory of Plant Ecology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.,Forest is Life, TERRA Teaching and Research Centre, Gembloux Agro Bio-Tech, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Yann Vitasse
- Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research WSL, Birmensdorf, Switzerland
| | - Lorenz Walthert
- Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research WSL, Birmensdorf, Switzerland
| | - Kasia Ziemińska
- Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research WSL, Birmensdorf, Switzerland.,Department of Plant Ecology and Evolution, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Roman Zweifel
- Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research WSL, Birmensdorf, Switzerland
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Relationships between the Pathogen Erysiphe alphitoides, the Phytophagous Mite Schizotetranychus garmani (Acari: Tetranychidae) and the Predatory Mite Euseius finlandicus (Acari: Phytoseiidae) in Oak. INSECTS 2021; 12:insects12110981. [PMID: 34821782 PMCID: PMC8620041 DOI: 10.3390/insects12110981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2021] [Revised: 10/25/2021] [Accepted: 10/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary Knowledge about the relationships between plant pathogens, arthropods, and their natural enemies is scarce. We studied the relationships between the plant fungal pathogen, Erysiphe alphitoides, the phytophagous mite Schizotetranychus garmani, and the predatory mite Euseius finlandicus in leaves of pedunculate oak. In June, July and August 2016, in 30 trees located in three forests near Belgrade, Serbia, the presence of E. alphitoides, S. garmani and E. finlandicus was assessed. The occurrence of E. alphitoides was high where the population of S. garmani was high. However, the presence of the leaf pathogen E. alphitoides was not related to the amount of the predatory mite E. finlandicus. The relationships between powdery mildew and the two mite species were stable across time and space, and the presence of one mite was not influenced by the presence of the other mite. Abstract Food webs on forest trees include plant pathogens, arthropods, and their natural enemies. To increase the understanding of the impact of a plant pathogen on herbivore-natural enemy interactions, we studied the powdery mildew fungus Erysiphe alphitoides, the phytophagous mite Schizotetranychus garmani, and the predatory and mycophagous mite Euseius finlandicus in pedunculate oak (Quercus robur) leaves. In June, July and August of 2016, we assessed the severity of powdery mildew, mite population density and adult female mite size in 30 trees in three forests near Belgrade, Serbia. In August, the infection severity of E. alphitoides related positively to the population density of S. garmani and negatively to the body size of S. garmani females. Throughout the vegetative season, the infection severity of E. alphitoides related positively to the population density of E. finlandicus but not to its body size. The effect of E. alphitoides on the population density and adult size of S. garmani was not mediated by the population density of E. finlandicus, and vice versa. Interactions were consistent in all forests and varied with the summer month. Our findings indicate that E. alphitoides can influence the average body size and population densities of prey and predatory mites studied, irrespective of predator-prey relationships.
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9
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Xu P, Fan X, Mao Y, Cheng H, Xu A, Lai W, Lv T, Hu Y, Nie Y, Zheng X, Meng Q, Wang Y, Cernava T, Wang M. Temporal metabolite responsiveness of microbiota in the tea plant phyllosphere promotes continuous suppression of fungal pathogens. J Adv Res 2021; 39:49-60. [PMID: 35777916 PMCID: PMC9263646 DOI: 10.1016/j.jare.2021.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2021] [Revised: 09/16/2021] [Accepted: 10/12/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Mechanistic insights into host-metabolite-driven microbiota assembly were obtained. Tea plants can maintain a functional microbiota during shoot development. The main drivers of microbial community assembly were identified. Metabolite-responsive microbiota suppresses various tree pathogens in vitro and in vivo. Establishment of tea plantations in the proximity of forests was linked to reduced disease incidence.
Introduction A broad spectrum of rhizosphere bacteria and fungi were shown to play a central role for health, fitness and productivity of their host plants. However, implications of host metabolism on microbiota assembly in the phyllosphere and potential consequences for holobiont functioning were sparsely addressed. Previous observations indicated that tea plants might reduce disease occurrence in various forests located in their proximity; the underlying mechanisms and potential implications of the phyllosphere microbiota remained elusive. Objectives This study aimed at deciphering microbiome assembly in the tea plant phyllosphere throughout shoot development as well as elucidating potential implications of host metabolites in this process. The main focus was to explore hidden interconnections between the homeostasis of the phyllosphere microbiome and resistance to fungal pathogens. Methods Profiling of host metabolites and microbiome analyses based on high-throughput sequencing were integrated to identify drivers of microbiome assembly throughout shoot development in the phyllosphere of tea plants. This was complemented by tracking of beneficial microorganisms in all compartments of the plant. Synthetic assemblages (SynAss), bioassays and field surveys were implemented to verify functioning of the phyllosphere microbiota. Results Theophylline and epigallocatechin gallate, two prevalent metabolites at the early and late shoot development stage respectively, were identified as the main drivers of microbial community assembly. Flavobacterium and Myriangium were distinct microbial responders at the early stage, while Parabacteroides and Mortierella were more enriched at the late stage. Reconstructed, stage-specific SynAss suppressed various tree phytopathogens by 13.0%-69.3% in vitro and reduced disease incidence by 8.24%-41.3% in vivo. Conclusion The findings indicate that a functional phyllosphere microbiota was assembled along with development-specific metabolites in tea plants, which continuously suppressed prevalent fungal pathogens. The insights gained into the temporally resolved metabolite response of the tea plant microbiota could provide novel solutions for disease management.
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10
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Ferlian O, Lintzel EM, Bruelheide H, Guerra CA, Heklau H, Jurburg S, Kühn P, Martinez-Medina A, Unsicker SB, Eisenhauer N, Schädler M. Nutrient status not secondary metabolites drives herbivory and pathogen infestation across differently mycorrhized tree monocultures and mixtures. Basic Appl Ecol 2021; 55:110-123. [PMID: 34493930 PMCID: PMC7611625 DOI: 10.1016/j.baae.2020.09.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
Research on tree diversity and antagonists often neglects plant complementarity. We studied species richness/mycorrhizal type effects on leaf herbivory/pathogens. Mycorrhizal type had different effects on herbivory and pathogen infestation. Elemental not metabolite concentrations determined leaf damage.ld.
Research aimed at understanding the mechanisms underlying the relationship between tree diversity and antagonist infestation is often neglecting resource-use complementarity among plant species. We investigated the effects of tree species identity, species richness, and mycorrhizal type on leaf herbivory and pathogen infestation. We used a tree sapling experiment manipulating the two most common mycorrhizal types, arbuscular mycorrhiza and ectomycorrhiza, via respective tree species in monocultures and two-species mixtures. We visually assessed leaf herbivory and pathogen infestation rates, and measured concentrations of a suite of plant metabolites (amino acids, sugars, and phenolics), leaf elemental concentrations (carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus), and tree biomass. Tree species and mycorrhizal richness had no significant effect on herbivory and pathogen infestation, whereas species identity and mycorrhizal type had. Damage rates were higher in arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) than in ectomycorrhizal (EM) trees. Our structural equation model (SEM) indicated that elemental, but not metabolite concentrations, determined herbivory and pathogen infestation, suggesting that the investigated chemical defence strategies may not have been involved in the effects found in our study with tree saplings. Other chemical and physical defence strategies as well as species identity as its determinant may have played a more crucial role in the studied saplings. Furthermore, the SEM indicated a direct positive effect of AM trees on herbivory rates, suggesting that other dominant mechanisms, not considered here, were involved as well. We found differences in the attribution of elemental concentrations between the two rates. This points to the fact that herbivory and pathogen infestation are driven by distinct mechanisms. Our study highlights the importance of biotic contexts for understanding the mechanisms underlying the effects of biodiversity on tree-antagonist interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga Ferlian
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Deutscher Platz 5e, 04103 Leipzig, Germany.,Institute of Biology, Leipzig University, Deutscher Platz 5e, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Esther-Marie Lintzel
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Deutscher Platz 5e, 04103 Leipzig, Germany.,Institute of Biology, Leipzig University, Deutscher Platz 5e, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Helge Bruelheide
- Institute of Biology/Geobotany and Botanical Garden, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Am Kirchtor 1, 06108 Halle (Saale), Germany.,German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Deutscher Platz 5e, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Carlos A Guerra
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Deutscher Platz 5e, 04103 Leipzig, Germany.,Institute of Biology/Geobotany and Botanical Garden, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Am Kirchtor 1, 06108 Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Heike Heklau
- Institute of Biology/Geobotany and Botanical Garden, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Am Kirchtor 1, 06108 Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Stephanie Jurburg
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Deutscher Platz 5e, 04103 Leipzig, Germany.,Institute of Biology, Leipzig University, Deutscher Platz 5e, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Paul Kühn
- Institute of Biology/Geobotany and Botanical Garden, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Am Kirchtor 1, 06108 Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Ainhoa Martinez-Medina
- Plant-Microorganism Interaction Unit, Institute of Natural Resources and Agrobiology of Salamanca (IRNASA-CSIC), Calle Cordel de Merinas, 40, 37008 Salamanca, Spain
| | - Sybille B Unsicker
- Department of Biochemistry, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Hans-Knöll-Straße 8, 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Nico Eisenhauer
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Deutscher Platz 5e, 04103 Leipzig, Germany.,Institute of Biology, Leipzig University, Deutscher Platz 5e, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Martin Schädler
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Deutscher Platz 5e, 04103 Leipzig, Germany.,Department of Community Ecology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Theodor-Lieser-Str. 4, 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany
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11
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Trogisch S, Liu X, Rutten G, Xue K, Bauhus J, Brose U, Bu W, Cesarz S, Chesters D, Connolly J, Cui X, Eisenhauer N, Guo L, Haider S, Härdtle W, Kunz M, Liu L, Ma Z, Neumann S, Sang W, Schuldt A, Tang Z, van Dam NM, von Oheimb G, Wang MQ, Wang S, Weinhold A, Wirth C, Wubet T, Xu X, Yang B, Zhang N, Zhu CD, Ma K, Wang Y, Bruelheide H. The significance of tree-tree interactions for forest ecosystem functioning. Basic Appl Ecol 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.baae.2021.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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12
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Jin H, Yuan Y, Li J. Host functional traits affect plant responses to pathogen stress: A meta-analysis. ACTA OECOLOGICA 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.actao.2021.103703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
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13
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Gossner MM, Beenken L, Arend K, Begerow D, Peršoh D. Insect herbivory facilitates the establishment of an invasive plant pathogen. ISME COMMUNICATIONS 2021; 1:6. [PMID: 37938649 PMCID: PMC9723786 DOI: 10.1038/s43705-021-00004-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2020] [Revised: 01/29/2021] [Accepted: 02/05/2021] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Plants can be severely affected by insect herbivores and phytopathogenic fungi, but interactions between these plant antagonists are poorly understood. We analysed the impact of feeding damage by the abundant herbivore Orchestes fagi on infection rates of beech (Fagus sylvatica) leaves with Petrakia liobae, an invasive plant pathogenic fungus. The fungus was not detected in hibernating beetles, indicating that O. fagi does not serve as vector for P. liobae, at least not between growing seasons. Abundance of the fungus in beech leaves increased with feeding damage of the beetle and this relationship was stronger for sun-exposed than for shaded leaves. A laboratory experiment revealed sun-exposed leaves to have thicker cell walls and to be more resistant to pathogen infection than shaded leaves. Mechanical damage significantly increased frequency and size of necroses in the sun, but not in shade leaves. Our findings indicate that feeding damage of adult beetles provides entry ports for fungal colonization by removal of physical barriers and thus promotes infection success by pathogenic fungi. Feeding activity by larvae probably provides additional nutrient sources or eases access to substrates for the necrotrophic fungus. Our study exemplifies that invasive pathogens may benefit from herbivore activity, which may challenge forest health in light of climate change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin M Gossner
- Forest Entomology, Swiss Federal Research Institute WSL, Birmensdorf, Switzerland.
- Terrestrial Ecology Research Group, Department of Ecology and Ecosystem Management, Center for Food and Life Sciences Weihenstephan, Technische Universität München, Freising-Weihenstephan, Germany.
- ETH Zurich, Department of Environmental Systems Science, Institute of Terrestrial Ecosystems, Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Ludwig Beenken
- Forest Protection, Swiss Federal Research Institute WSL, Birmensdorf, Switzerland
| | - Kirstin Arend
- Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, AG Geobotany, Bochum, Germany
| | - Dominik Begerow
- Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, AG Geobotany, Bochum, Germany
| | - Derek Peršoh
- Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, AG Geobotany, Bochum, Germany.
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14
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Saadani M, Hönig L, Bien S, Koehler M, Rutten G, Wubet T, Braun U, Bruelheide H. Local Tree Diversity Suppresses Foliar Fungal Infestation and Decreases Morphological But Not Molecular Richness in a Young Subtropical Forest. J Fungi (Basel) 2021; 7:173. [PMID: 33673628 PMCID: PMC7997179 DOI: 10.3390/jof7030173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2021] [Revised: 02/19/2021] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Leaf fungal pathogens alter their host species' performance and, thus, changes in fungal species composition can translate into effects at the tree community scale. Conversely, the functional diversity of tree species in a host tree's local neighbourhood can affect the host's foliar fungal infestation. Therefore, understanding the factors that affect fungal infestations is important to advance our understanding of biodiversity-ecosystem functioning (BEF) relationships. Here we make use of the largest BEF tree experiment worldwide, the BEF-China experiment, where we selected tree host species with different neighbour species. Identifying fungal taxa by microscopy and by high-throughput DNA sequencing techniques based on the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) rDNA region, we analysed the fungal richness and infestation rates of our target trees as a function of local species richness. Based on the visual microscopic assessment, we found that a higher tree diversity reduced fungal richness and host-specific fungal infestation in the host's local neighbourhood, while molecular fungal richness was unaffected. This diversity effect was mainly explained by the decrease in host proportion. Thus, the dilution of host species in the local neighbourhood was the primary mechanism in reducing the fungal disease severity. Overall, our study suggests that diverse forests will suffer less from foliar fungal diseases compared to those with lower diversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariem Saadani
- Institute of Biology/Geobotany and Botanical Garden, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Am Kirchtor 1, 06108 Halle, Germany; (L.H.); (S.B.); (M.K.); (G.R.); (U.B.); (H.B.)
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Puschstr. 4, 04103 Leipzig, Germany;
| | - Lydia Hönig
- Institute of Biology/Geobotany and Botanical Garden, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Am Kirchtor 1, 06108 Halle, Germany; (L.H.); (S.B.); (M.K.); (G.R.); (U.B.); (H.B.)
| | - Steffen Bien
- Institute of Biology/Geobotany and Botanical Garden, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Am Kirchtor 1, 06108 Halle, Germany; (L.H.); (S.B.); (M.K.); (G.R.); (U.B.); (H.B.)
- Senckenberg Museum of Natural History Görlitz, PF 300 154, 02806 Görlitz, Germany
| | - Michael Koehler
- Institute of Biology/Geobotany and Botanical Garden, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Am Kirchtor 1, 06108 Halle, Germany; (L.H.); (S.B.); (M.K.); (G.R.); (U.B.); (H.B.)
| | - Gemma Rutten
- Institute of Biology/Geobotany and Botanical Garden, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Am Kirchtor 1, 06108 Halle, Germany; (L.H.); (S.B.); (M.K.); (G.R.); (U.B.); (H.B.)
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Puschstr. 4, 04103 Leipzig, Germany;
| | - Tesfaye Wubet
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Puschstr. 4, 04103 Leipzig, Germany;
- Department of Community Ecology, UFZ-Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, Theodor-Lieser-Str. 4, D-06120 Halle, Germany
| | - Uwe Braun
- Institute of Biology/Geobotany and Botanical Garden, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Am Kirchtor 1, 06108 Halle, Germany; (L.H.); (S.B.); (M.K.); (G.R.); (U.B.); (H.B.)
| | - Helge Bruelheide
- Institute of Biology/Geobotany and Botanical Garden, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Am Kirchtor 1, 06108 Halle, Germany; (L.H.); (S.B.); (M.K.); (G.R.); (U.B.); (H.B.)
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Puschstr. 4, 04103 Leipzig, Germany;
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15
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Kunz M, Fichtner A, Härdtle W, Raumonen P, Bruelheide H, von Oheimb G. Neighbour species richness and local structural variability modulate aboveground allocation patterns and crown morphology of individual trees. Ecol Lett 2019; 22:2130-2140. [PMID: 31625279 DOI: 10.1111/ele.13400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2019] [Revised: 07/08/2019] [Accepted: 09/13/2019] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Local neighbourhood interactions are considered a main driver for biodiversity-productivity relationships in forests. Yet, the structural responses of individual trees in species mixtures and their relation to crown complementarity remain poorly understood. Using a large-scale forest experiment, we studied the impact of local tree species richness and structural variability on above-ground wood volume allocation patterns and crown morphology. We applied terrestrial laser scanning to capture the three-dimensional structure of trees and their temporal dynamics. We found that crown complementarity and crown plasticity increased with species richness. Trees growing in species-rich neighbourhoods showed enhanced aboveground wood volume both in trunks and branches. Over time, neighbourhood diversity induced shifts in wood volume allocation in favour of branches, in particular for morphologically flexible species. Our results demonstrate that diversity-mediated shifts in allocation pattern and crown morphology are a fundamental mechanism for crown complementarity and may be an important driver of overyielding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthias Kunz
- Institute of General Ecology and Environmental Protection, Technische Universität Dresden, PF 1117, 01735, Tharandt, Germany
| | - Andreas Fichtner
- Institute of Ecology, Leuphana University Lüneburg, Universitätsallee 1, 21335, Lüneburg, Germany
| | - Werner Härdtle
- Institute of Ecology, Leuphana University Lüneburg, Universitätsallee 1, 21335, Lüneburg, Germany
| | - Pasi Raumonen
- Department of Mathematics, Tampere University, FI-33014 Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
| | - Helge Bruelheide
- Institute of Biology/Geobotany and Botanical Garden, Martin Luther University Halle- Wittenberg, Am Kirchtor 1, 06108, Halle, Germany
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Deutscher Platz 5E, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Goddert von Oheimb
- Institute of General Ecology and Environmental Protection, Technische Universität Dresden, PF 1117, 01735, Tharandt, Germany
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Deutscher Platz 5E, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
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16
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Field E, Schönrogge K, Barsoum N, Hector A, Gibbs M. Individual tree traits shape insect and disease damage on oak in a climate-matching tree diversity experiment. Ecol Evol 2019; 9:8524-8540. [PMID: 31410259 PMCID: PMC6686283 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.5357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2019] [Accepted: 05/04/2019] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Diversifying planted forests by increasing genetic and species diversity is often promoted as a method to improve forest resilience to climate change and reduce pest and pathogen damage. In this study, we used a young tree diversity experiment replicated at two sites in the UK to study the impacts of tree diversity and tree provenance (geographic origin) on the oak (Quercus robur) insect herbivore community and a specialist biotrophic pathogen, oak powdery mildew. Local UK, French, and Italian provenances were planted in monocultures, provenance mixtures, and species mixes, allowing us to test whether: (a) local and nonlocal provenances differ in their insect herbivore and pathogen communities, and (b) admixing trees leads to associational effects on insect herbivore and pathogen damage. Tree diversity had variable impacts on foliar organisms across sites and years, suggesting that diversity effects can be highly dependent on environmental context. Provenance identity impacted upon both herbivores and powdery mildew, but we did not find consistent support for the local adaptation hypothesis for any group of organisms studied. Independent of provenance, we found tree vigor traits (shoot length, tree height) and tree apparency (the height of focal trees relative to their surroundings) were consistent positive predictors of powdery mildew and insect herbivory. Synthesis. Our results have implications for understanding the complex interplay between tree identity and diversity in determining pest damage, and show that tree traits, partially influenced by tree genotype, can be important drivers of tree pest and pathogen loads.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elsa Field
- Department of Plant SciencesUniversity of OxfordOxfordUK
| | | | | | - Andrew Hector
- Department of Plant SciencesUniversity of OxfordOxfordUK
| | - Melanie Gibbs
- Centre for Ecology & HydrologyCrowmarsh GiffordWallingfordUK
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17
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Eisenhauer N, Schielzeth H, Barnes AD, Barry K, Bonn A, Brose U, Bruelheide H, Buchmann N, Buscot F, Ebeling A, Ferlian O, Freschet GT, Giling DP, Hättenschwiler S, Hillebrand H, Hines J, Isbell F, Koller-France E, König-Ries B, de Kroon H, Meyer ST, Milcu A, Müller J, Nock CA, Petermann JS, Roscher C, Scherber C, Scherer-Lorenzen M, Schmid B, Schnitzer SA, Schuldt A, Tscharntke T, Türke M, van Dam NM, van der Plas F, Vogel A, Wagg C, Wardle DA, Weigelt A, Weisser WW, Wirth C, Jochum M. A multitrophic perspective on biodiversity-ecosystem functioning research. ADV ECOL RES 2019; 61:1-54. [PMID: 31908360 PMCID: PMC6944504 DOI: 10.1016/bs.aecr.2019.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Concern about the functional consequences of unprecedented loss in biodiversity has prompted biodiversity-ecosystem functioning (BEF) research to become one of the most active fields of ecological research in the past 25 years. Hundreds of experiments have manipulated biodiversity as an independent variable and found compelling support that the functioning of ecosystems increases with the diversity of their ecological communities. This research has also identified some of the mechanisms underlying BEF relationships, some context-dependencies of the strength of relationships, as well as implications for various ecosystem services that mankind depends upon. In this paper, we argue that a multitrophic perspective of biotic interactions in random and non-random biodiversity change scenarios is key to advance future BEF research and to address some of its most important remaining challenges. We discuss that the study and the quantification of multitrophic interactions in space and time facilitates scaling up from small-scale biodiversity manipulations and ecosystem function assessments to management-relevant spatial scales across ecosystem boundaries. We specifically consider multitrophic conceptual frameworks to understand and predict the context-dependency of BEF relationships. Moreover, we highlight the importance of the eco-evolutionary underpinnings of multitrophic BEF relationships. We outline that FAIR data (meeting the standards of findability, accessibility, interoperability, and reusability) and reproducible processing will be key to advance this field of research by making it more integrative. Finally, we show how these BEF insights may be implemented for ecosystem management, society, and policy. Given that human well-being critically depends on the multiple services provided by diverse, multitrophic communities, integrating the approaches of evolutionary ecology, community ecology, and ecosystem ecology in future BEF research will be key to refine conservation targets and develop sustainable management strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nico Eisenhauer
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Deutscher Platz 5e, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
- Institute of Biology, Leipzig University, Deutscher Platz 5e, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Holger Schielzeth
- Department of Population Ecology, Institute of Ecology and Evolution, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - Andrew D Barnes
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Deutscher Platz 5e, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
- Institute of Biology, Leipzig University, Deutscher Platz 5e, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Kathryn Barry
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Deutscher Platz 5e, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
- Institute of Biology, Leipzig University, Johannisallee 21-23, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Aletta Bonn
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Deutscher Platz 5e, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Ulrich Brose
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Deutscher Platz 5e, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
- EcoNetLab, Institute of Biodiversity, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Dornburger-Str. 159, 07743 Jena, Germany
| | - Helge Bruelheide
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Deutscher Platz 5e, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
- Institute of Biology / Geobotany and Botanical Garden, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Am Kirchtor 1, 06108 Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Nina Buchmann
- Institute of Agricultural Sciences, ETH Zurich, Universitätstr. 2, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - François Buscot
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Deutscher Platz 5e, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
- UFZ - Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, Soil Ecology Department, Theodor-Lieser-Straße 4, 06120 Halle Saale, Germany
| | - Anne Ebeling
- Institute of Ecology and Evolution, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Dornburger Str. 159, 07743 Jena, Germany
| | - Olga Ferlian
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Deutscher Platz 5e, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
- Institute of Biology, Leipzig University, Deutscher Platz 5e, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Grégoire T Freschet
- Centre d'Ecologie Fonctionnelle et Evolutive, UMR 5175 (CNRS - Université de Montpellier - Université Paul-Valéry Montpellier - EPHE), 1919 Route de Mende, Montpellier 34293, France
| | - Darren P Giling
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Deutscher Platz 5e, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
- Institute of Biology, Leipzig University, Deutscher Platz 5e, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
- Institute of Ecology and Evolution, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Dornburger Straße 159, 07743 Jena, Germany
| | - Stephan Hättenschwiler
- Centre d'Ecologie Fonctionnelle et Evolutive, UMR 5175 (CNRS - Université de Montpellier - Université Paul-Valéry Montpellier - EPHE), 1919 Route de Mende, Montpellier 34293, France
| | - Helmut Hillebrand
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Deutscher Platz 5e, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
- Institute for Chemistry and Biology of Marine Environments [ICBM], Carl-von-Ossietzky University Oldenburg, Schleusenstrasse 1, 26382 Wilhelmshaven, Germany
| | - Jes Hines
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Deutscher Platz 5e, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
- Institute of Biology, Leipzig University, Deutscher Platz 5e, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Forest Isbell
- Department of Ecology, Evolution and Behavior, University of Minnesota, 1479 Gortner Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55108, USA
| | - Eva Koller-France
- Karlsruher Institut für Technologie (KIT), Institut für Geographie und Geoökologie, Reinhard-Baumeister-Platz 1, 76131 Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Birgitta König-Ries
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Deutscher Platz 5e, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
- Institute of Computer Science, Friedrich Schiller Universität Jena, Ernst-Abbe-Platz 2, 07743 Jena, Germany
| | - Hans de Kroon
- Radboud University, Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Animal Ecology and Physiology & Experimental Plant Ecology, PO Box 9100, 6500 GL Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Sebastian T Meyer
- Terrestrial Ecology Research Group, Technical University of Munich, School of Life Sciences Weihenstephan, Hans-Carl-von-Carlowitz-Platz 2, 85354 Freising, Germany
| | - Alexandru Milcu
- Ecotron Européen de Montpellier, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Unité Propre de Service 3248, Campus Baillarguet, Montferrier-sur-Lez, France
- Centre d'Ecologie Fonctionnelle et Evolutive, UMR 5175 (CNRS - Université de Montpellier - Université Paul-Valéry Montpellier - EPHE), 1919 Route de Mende, Montpellier 34293, France
| | - Jörg Müller
- Field Station Fabrikschleichach, Department of Animal Ecology and Tropical Biology, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, Glashüttenstraße 5, 96181 Rauhenebrach, Germany
- Bavarian Forest National Park, Freyunger Str. 2, 94481 Grafenau, Germany
| | - Charles A Nock
- Geobotany, Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, Schaenzlestrasse 1, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
- Department of Renewable Resources, University of Alberta, 751 General Services Building, Edmonton, Canada, T6G 2H1
| | - Jana S Petermann
- Department of Biosciences, University of Salzburg, Hellbrunner Str. 34, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - Christiane Roscher
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Deutscher Platz 5e, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
- UFZ - Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, Department Physiological Diversity, Permoserstrasse 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Christoph Scherber
- Institute of Landscape Ecology, University of Münster, Heisenbergstr. 2, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Michael Scherer-Lorenzen
- Geobotany, Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, Schaenzlestrasse 1, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Bernhard Schmid
- Department of Geography, University of Zürich, 190 Winterthurerstrasse, 8057, Zürich, Switzerland
| | | | - Andreas Schuldt
- Forest Nature Conservation, Faculty of Forest Sciences and Forest Ecology, University of Göttingen, Buesgenweg 3, 37077 Goettingen, Germany
| | - Teja Tscharntke
- Agroecology, Dept. of Crop Sciences, University of Göttingen, Germany
- Centre of Biodiversity and Sustainable Land Use (CBL), University of Göttingen, Germany
| | - Manfred Türke
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Deutscher Platz 5e, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
- Institute of Biology, Leipzig University, Deutscher Platz 5e, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
- Institute of Biological and Medical Imaging (IBMI), Helmholtz Zentrum München (HMGU) - German Research Center for Environmental Health, Ingolstädter Landstr. 1, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Nicole M van Dam
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Deutscher Platz 5e, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
- Institute of Biodiversity, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Dornburger-Str. 159, 07743 Jena, Germany
| | - Fons van der Plas
- Institute of Biology, Leipzig University, Deutscher Platz 5e, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Anja Vogel
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Deutscher Platz 5e, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
- Institute of Biology, Leipzig University, Deutscher Platz 5e, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
- Institute of Ecology and Evolution, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Dornburger Straße 159, 07743 Jena, Germany
| | - Cameron Wagg
- Fredericton Research and Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, 850 Lincoln Road, E3B 8B7, Fredericton, Canada
- Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, University of Zürich, 190 Winterthurerstrasse, 8057, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - David A Wardle
- Asian School of the Environment, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, Singapore 639798
| | - Alexandra Weigelt
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Deutscher Platz 5e, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
- Institute of Biology, Leipzig University, Johannisallee 21-23, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Wolfgang W Weisser
- Terrestrial Ecology Research Group, Technical University of Munich, School of Life Sciences Weihenstephan, Hans-Carl-von-Carlowitz-Platz 2, 85354 Freising, Germany
| | - Christian Wirth
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Deutscher Platz 5e, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
- Institute of Biology, Leipzig University, Johannisallee 21-23, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Malte Jochum
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Deutscher Platz 5e, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
- Institute of Biology, Leipzig University, Deutscher Platz 5e, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
- Institute of Plant Sciences, University of Bern, Altenbergrain 21, 3013 Bern, Switzerland
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18
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Neighbourhood interactions drive overyielding in mixed-species tree communities. Nat Commun 2018; 9:1144. [PMID: 29559628 PMCID: PMC5861250 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-03529-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2017] [Accepted: 02/21/2018] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Theory suggests that plant interactions at the neighbourhood scale play a fundamental role in regulating biodiversity-productivity relationships (BPRs) in tree communities. However, empirical evidence of this prediction is rare, as little is known about how neighbourhood interactions scale up to influence community BPRs. Here, using a biodiversity-ecosystem functioning experiment, we provide insights into processes underlying BPRs by demonstrating that diversity-mediated interactions among local neighbours are a strong regulator of productivity in species mixtures. Our results show that local neighbourhood interactions explain over half of the variation in observed community productivity along a diversity gradient. Overall, individual tree growth increased with neighbourhood species richness, leading to a positive BPR at the community scale. The importance of local-scale neighbourhood effects for regulating community productivity, however, distinctly increased with increasing community species richness. Preserving tree species diversity at the local neighbourhood scale, thus seems to be a promising way for promoting forest productivity.
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19
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Schuldt A, Fornoff F, Bruelheide H, Klein AM, Staab M. Tree species richness attenuates the positive relationship between mutualistic ant-hemipteran interactions and leaf chewer herbivory. Proc Biol Sci 2018; 284:rspb.2017.1489. [PMID: 28878067 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2017.1489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2017] [Accepted: 07/28/2017] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
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 most pronounced at low richness. Our results point to indirect, positive effects of ant-tended sap suckers on leaf chewers, potentially by altering plant defences. Direct antagonistic relationships of trophobiotic ants and leaf-chewing herbivores-frequently reported to drive community-wide effects of trophobioses in other ecosystems-seemed less relevant. However, antagonistic interactions likely contributed to the attenuating effect of tree species richness, because trophobiotic ant and herbivore communities changed from monocultures to species-rich mixtures. Our findings, therefore, suggest that biodiversity loss might lead to complex changes in higher trophic level effects on ecosystem functions, mediated by both trophic and non-trophic interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Schuldt
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Deutscher Platz 5e, 04103 Leipzig, Germany .,Institute of Biology/Geobotany and Botanical Garden, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Am Kirchtor 1, 06108 Halle, Germany
| | - Felix Fornoff
- University of Freiburg, Faculty of Environment and Natural Resources, Nature Conservation and Landscape Ecology, Tennenbacherstr. 4, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Helge Bruelheide
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Deutscher Platz 5e, 04103 Leipzig, Germany.,Institute of Biology/Geobotany and Botanical Garden, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Am Kirchtor 1, 06108 Halle, Germany
| | - Alexandra-Maria Klein
- University of Freiburg, Faculty of Environment and Natural Resources, Nature Conservation and Landscape Ecology, Tennenbacherstr. 4, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Michael Staab
- University of Freiburg, Faculty of Environment and Natural Resources, Nature Conservation and Landscape Ecology, Tennenbacherstr. 4, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
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20
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Fernandez-Conradi P, Borowiec N, Capdevielle X, Castagneyrol B, Maltoni A, Robin C, Selvi F, Van Halder I, Vétillard F, Jactel H. Plant neighbour identity and invasive pathogen infection affect associational resistance to an invasive gall wasp. Biol Invasions 2017. [DOI: 10.1007/s10530-017-1637-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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21
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Yang B, Li B, He Y, Zhang L, Bruelheide H, Schuldt A. Tree diversity has contrasting effects on predation rates by birds and arthropods on three broadleaved, subtropical tree species. Ecol Res 2017. [DOI: 10.1007/s11284-017-1531-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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22
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Schuldt A, Hönig L, Li Y, Fichtner A, Härdtle W, von Oheimb G, Welk E, Bruelheide H. Herbivore and pathogen effects on tree growth are additive, but mediated by tree diversity and plant traits. Ecol Evol 2017; 7:7462-7474. [PMID: 28944031 PMCID: PMC5606881 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.3292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2017] [Revised: 07/03/2017] [Accepted: 07/09/2017] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
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. These effects were attenuated by tree species richness—because herbivory increased and pathogen damage decreased with increasing richness—and were most pronounced for species with soft leaves and narrow climatic niches. However, herbivory and pathogens had contrasting, independent effects on tree growth, with pathogens decreasing and herbivory increasing growth. The positive herbivory effects indicate that trees might be able to (over‐)compensate for local damage at the level of the whole tree. Nevertheless, we found a dependence of these effects on richness, leaf traits and climatic niche characteristics of the tree species. This could mean that the ability for compensation is influenced by both biodiversity loss and tree species identity—including effects of larger‐scale climatic adaptations that have been rarely considered in this context. Our results suggest that herbivory and pathogens have additive but contrasting effects on tree growth. Considering effects of both herbivory and pathogens may thus help to better understand the net effects of damage on tree performance in communities differing in diversity. Moreover, our study shows how species richness and species characteristics (leaf traits and climatic niches) can modify tree growth responses to leaf damage under real‐world conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Schuldt
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig Leipzig Germany.,Institute of Biology/Geobotany and Botanical Garden Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg Halle Germany
| | - Lydia Hönig
- Institute of Biology/Geobotany and Botanical Garden Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg Halle Germany
| | - Ying Li
- Institute of Ecology Leuphana University Lüneburg Lüneburg Germany
| | - Andreas Fichtner
- Institute of Ecology Leuphana University Lüneburg Lüneburg Germany
| | - Werner Härdtle
- Institute of Ecology Leuphana University Lüneburg Lüneburg Germany
| | - Goddert von Oheimb
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig Leipzig Germany.,Institute of General Ecology and Environmental Protection Technische Universität Dresden Tharandt Germany
| | - Erik Welk
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig Leipzig Germany.,Institute of Biology/Geobotany and Botanical Garden Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg Halle Germany
| | - Helge Bruelheide
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig Leipzig Germany.,Institute of Biology/Geobotany and Botanical Garden Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg Halle Germany
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