Tree diversity effects on leaf insect damage on pedunculate oak: The role of landscape context and forest stratum

摘要: Abstract Tree diversity has long been recognized as a major driver of insect herbivory in forest ecosystems. However, predicting the strength and direction tree effects real-world situations proven elusive. One likely reason is that most studies have focused on within-stand dynamics insufficiently captured other ecological drivers can act at broader (i.e., landscape) finer individual trees) scales. We measured leaf area consumed by herbivores pedunculate oaks (Quercus robur) growing mixed pure stands southwestern France. assessed oak spatial isolation within landscape, stand diversity, canopy stratification well influence traits herbivory. Insect increased with regardless diversity. Diversity were contingent upon stratum exceeded only upper stratum. Leaf varied between among strata. was negatively correlated LDMC positively SLA. observed partially driven variability traits. Our findings illustrate that, contexts, be complex interplay multiple, scale-dependent drivers. They help step forward towards more profound understanding forces drive managed