Leaf quality and herbivory responses to soil nutrient addition in secondary tropical dry forests of Yucatán, Mexico

摘要: Leaf quality (nutrient concentration) and herbivory were studied in a set of dominant tree species regenerating, secondary tropical dry forests growing on limestone the Yucatan Peninsula. The study's objective was to assess how variation nutrient availability affects leaf nitrogen phosphorus concentrations herbivory. Our study included an area young forest (10 y old), with phosphorus-poor soils, old (∼60 which soil P comparatively less limiting. foliage representative each site studied, including Acacia gaumeri , Leucaena leucocephala Lysiloma latisiliquum at site, A. Bursera simaruba Pithecellobium dulce forest. Four independent plots (12 × 12 m) either left intact (controls) or fertilized N, P, N plus for three consecutive years. Relaxation limitations resulted increase all species. In contrast, fertilization did not consistently affect concentration damage. this main response only B. ; unaffected by fertilization. Overall, we observed that, subsequent addition, leguminous increased site; non-leguminous while following pattern similar that site. We conclude regulatory mechanisms damage herbivores will vary, depending details site's identity