Consistent increase in herbivory along two experimental plant diversity gradients over multiple years

摘要: Research on the functional importance of biodiversity, motivated by global species loss, has documented that plant richness affects many plant-related ecosystem functions. Less is known about effects functions related to higher trophic levels, such as consumption biomass animals, is, herbivory. Previous studies have shown positive, neutral, or negative In framework a grassland biodiversity experiment (the Jena Experiment), we investigated herbivory proportion leaf area damaged and amount consumed arthropod herbivores) along two experimental gradients ranging from 1 60 (Main Experiment) 8 (Trait-Based biannually for five three years, respectively. Additionally, diversity, based traits growth, was manipulated number groups in community gradient trait dissimilarity Experiment). Herbivory at level communities ranged 0% 31% (0 33.8 g/m2) Main Experiment 8% 13.7 g/m2) Trait-Based Experiment, it average summer than spring. For both all years investigated, found consistent increase with increasing richness. As mechanistic explanations richness, propose changes quality herbivore communities. The presence specific significantly affected herbivory, likely affecting defense nutritional value, but little evidence diversity. general positive relationship between might contribute other productivity nutrient mineralization can cascade up food web also levels.