Dataset Information

Below-ground herbivory mitigates biomass loss from above-ground herbivory of nitrogen fertilized plants.

ABSTRACT: Herbivorous insects can influence grassland ecosystem functions in several ways, notably by altering primary production and nutrient turnover. Interactions between above- and belowground herbivory could affect these functions; an effect that might be modified by nitrogen (N) addition, an important global change driver. To explore this, we added above- (grasshoppers) and belowground (wireworms) insect herbivores and N into enclosed, equally composed, grassland plant communities in a fully factorial field experiment. N addition substantially altered the impact of above- and belowground herbivory on ecosystem functioning. Herbivory and N interacted such that biomass was reduced under above ground herbivory and high N input, while plant biomass remained stable under simultaneous above- and belowground herbivory. Aboveground herbivory lowered nutrient turnover rate in the soil, while belowground herbivory mitigated the effect of aboveground herbivory. Soil decomposition potential and N mineralization rate were faster under belowground herbivory at ambient N, but at elevated N this effect was only observed when aboveground herbivores were also present. We found that N addition does not only influence productivity directly (repeatedly shown by others), but also appears to influence productivity by herbivory mediated effects on nutrient dynamics, which highlights the importance of a better understanding of complex biotic interactions.

SUBMITTER: Borgstrom P

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7391681 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Below-ground herbivory mitigates biomass loss from above-ground herbivory of nitrogen fertilized plants.

Borgström Pernilla P Bommarco Riccardo R Viketoft Maria M Strengbom Joachim J

Scientific reports 20200729 1

Herbivorous insects can influence grassland ecosystem functions in several ways, notably by altering primary production and nutrient turnover. Interactions between above- and belowground herbivory could affect these functions; an effect that might be modified by nitrogen (N) addition, an important global change driver. To explore this, we added above- (grasshoppers) and belowground (wireworms) insect herbivores and N into enclosed, equally composed, grassland plant communities in a fully factori ...[more]

PMID: 32728034

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Dataset Information

Below-ground herbivory mitigates biomass loss from above-ground herbivory of nitrogen fertilized plants.

Publications

Below-ground herbivory mitigates biomass loss from above-ground herbivory of nitrogen fertilized plants.

Similar Datasets

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