Response of two prairie forbs to repeated vole herbivory

摘要: Vertebrate herbivores as diverse ungulates, geese, and rabbits preferentially feed on plants that have previously experienced herbivory. Here, we ask whether smaller grassland “cryptic consumers” such voles (Microtus ochrogaster M. pennsylvanicus) clip (cut stems for access to leaves or seeds) avoid clipped individuals of two tallgrass prairie species (Desmanthus illinoensis Echinacea purpurea) within a growing season. Further, how these respond repeated clipping season, the effects this herbivory last into subsequent Voles D. E. purpurea had been clipped. The exception was indiscriminant late in season when its achenes, favorite vole food, ripened. For illinoensis, resulted 59% reduction biomass, 42% lower ratio reproductive vegetative 57% fewer seeds produced per plant compared with unclipped plants. These lasted following which were protected from voles. In contrast, only effect number achenes substantially reduced by three episodes clipping. This did not carry over next Such differences response stem offer insights small rodents can major changes composition dominance communities.