Neighborhoods have little effect on fungal attack or insect predation of developing seeds in a grassland biodiversity experiment

摘要: Numerous observational studies have documented conspecific negative density-dependence that is consistent with the Janzen–Connell Hypothesis (JCH) of diversity maintenance. However, there been few experimental tests a central prediction JCH: removing host-specific enemies should lead to greater increases in per capita recruitment areas higher host density or lower relative phylogenetic diversity. Using spatially randomized plots high and low biomass temperate grassland biodiversity experiment, we treated developing seedheads six prairie perennials factorial applications fungicide insecticide. We measured predispersal seed production, viability, seedling biomass. Results were highly species-specific idiosyncratic. Effects insect predators fungal pathogens on responses varied neither nor diversity, suggesting that—at least at stage for able exclude—the JCH not sufficient contribute these dominant species.