Foraging responses of sheep to plant spatial micro‐patterns can cause diverse associational effects of focal plant at individual and population levels

摘要: Multiple-scale foraging decisions by large herbivores can cause associational effects of focal plant individuals neighboured with different species. Spatial micro-patterns between the and its neighbouring species within patches affect herbivore selectivity at within- between-patch scales, which may consequently lead to occurring both individual population levels. However, these have not been explored together in plant-herbivore interaction studies. We aim evaluate how spatial micro-pattern quality mediate selectivity, thereby affecting population. Using sheep as model a medium preferred plant, we conducted manipulative experiment allowing grazing freely among three patches, each consisted preferred, unpreferred abundances forming spatially aggregated or dispersed micro-patterns. Results showed that, compared micro-pattern, increased within-patch caused diverse individuals. Focal experienced neighbour contrast defence (i.e. got protection high patch) low patch), respectively, when plants distributed dispersedly patch. simultaneously susceptibility damage Furthermore, reduced led lower consumption micro-pattern. Herbivores adopt maintain intake response various micro-patterns, These important implications for understanding coexistence community assembly ecosystems.