Spatial extent of neighboring plants influences the strength of associational effects on mammal herbivory

摘要: There is high variability in the level of herbivory between individual plants from same species with potential effects on population dynamics, community composition, and ecosystem structure function. This can be partly explained by associational (i.e., impact presence neighboring experienced a focal plant) but it still unclear how spatial scale plant neighborhood modulates foraging choice herbivores, an inherently process itself. Using meta-analysis, we investigated modifies susceptibility to browsing herbivores movement capacities similar deer. From 2496 articles found literature databases, selected 46 studies providing total 168 differences means damage or survival woody (mostly) without plants. Spatial scales were reported as distance plot size. We estimated relationships effect sizes scale, type effects, nature experiment using meta-analysis mixed models. The strength declined increasing size, regardless effects. Associational defenses decrease for associated unpalatable neighbors) had stronger magnitude than susceptibilities. remaining heterogeneity among suggests that untested factors modulate such nutritional quality plants, density timing browsing, etc. are already considered multiple restoration contexts worldwide, better understanding these could improve their use conservation, restoration, forest exploitation when concern. study first investigate patterns across ecosystems, issue essential determine differential damages