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Divergent roles of herbivory in eutrophying forests

Author

Listed:
  • Josiane Segar

    (German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena Leipzig
    Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg)

  • Henrique M. Pereira

    (German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena Leipzig
    Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg
    Universidade do Porto)

  • Lander Baeten

    (Ghent University)

  • Markus Bernhardt-Römermann

    (German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena Leipzig
    Friedrich Schiller University Jena)

  • Pieter Frenne

    (Ghent University)

  • Néstor Fernández

    (German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena Leipzig
    Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg)

  • Frank S. Gilliam

    (University of West Florida)

  • Jonathan Lenoir

    (Université de Picardie Jules Verne)

  • Adrienne Ortmann-Ajkai

    (University of Pécs)

  • Kris Verheyen

    (Ghent University)

  • Donald Waller

    (University of Wisconsin-Madison)

  • Balázs Teleki

    (MTA-DE Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services Research Group)

  • Jörg Brunet

    (Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences)

  • Markéta Chudomelová

    (Czech Academy of Sciences)

  • Guillaume Decocq

    (Université de Picardie Jules Verne)

  • Thomas Dirnböck

    (Spittelauer Lände 5)

  • Radim Hédl

    (Czech Academy of Sciences
    Palacký University in Olomouc)

  • Thilo Heinken

    (University of Potsdam, Institute of Biochemistry and Biology)

  • Bogdan Jaroszewicz

    (University of Warsaw)

  • Martin Kopecký

    (Institute of Botany of the Czech Academy of Sciences
    Czech University of Life Sciences Prague)

  • Martin Macek

    (Institute of Botany of the Czech Academy of Sciences)

  • František Máliš

    (Technical University in Zvolen
    National Forest Centre)

  • Tobias Naaf

    (Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research (ZALF))

  • Anna Orczewska

    (University of Silesia)

  • Kamila Reczynska

    (University of Wroclaw)

  • Wolfgang Schmidt

    (University of Göttingen)

  • Jan Šebesta

    (Mendel University in Brno)

  • Alina Stachurska-Swakoń

    (Jagiellonian University)

  • Tibor Standovár

    (Loránd Eötvös University)

  • Krzysztof Swierkosz

    (University of Wroclaw)

  • Ondřej Vild

    (Czech Academy of Sciences)

  • Monika Wulf

    (Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research (ZALF))

  • Ingmar R. Staude

    (German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena Leipzig
    Leipzig University)

Abstract

Ungulate populations are increasing across Europe with important implications for forest plant communities. Concurrently, atmospheric nitrogen (N) deposition continues to eutrophicate forests, threatening many rare, often more nutrient-efficient, plant species. These pressures may critically interact to shape biodiversity as in grassland and tundra systems, yet any potential interactions in forests remain poorly understood. Here, we combined vegetation resurveys from 52 sites across 13 European countries to test how changes in ungulate herbivory and eutrophication drive long-term changes in forest understorey communities. Increases in herbivory were associated with elevated temporal species turnover, however, identities of winner and loser species depended on N levels. Under low levels of N-deposition, herbivory favored threatened and small-ranged species while reducing the proportion of non-native and nutrient-demanding species. Yet all these trends were reversed under high levels of N-deposition. Herbivores also reduced shrub cover, likely exacerbating N effects by increasing light levels in the understorey. Eutrophication levels may therefore determine whether herbivory acts as a catalyst for the “N time bomb” or as a conservation tool in temperate forests.

Suggested Citation

  • Josiane Segar & Henrique M. Pereira & Lander Baeten & Markus Bernhardt-Römermann & Pieter Frenne & Néstor Fernández & Frank S. Gilliam & Jonathan Lenoir & Adrienne Ortmann-Ajkai & Kris Verheyen & Dona, 2022. "Divergent roles of herbivory in eutrophying forests," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-10, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:13:y:2022:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-022-35282-6
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-35282-6
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. E. T. Borer & W. S. Harpole & P. B. Adler & C. A. Arnillas & M. N. Bugalho & M. W. Cadotte & M. C. Caldeira & S. Campana & C. R. Dickman & T. L. Dickson & I. Donohue & A. Eskelinen & J. L. Firn & P. G, 2020. "Nutrients cause grassland biomass to outpace herbivory," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 11(1), pages 1-8, December.
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    4. Anu Eskelinen & W. Stanley Harpole & Maria-Theresa Jessen & Risto Virtanen & Yann Hautier, 2022. "Light competition drives herbivore and nutrient effects on plant diversity," Nature, Nature, vol. 611(7935), pages 301-305, November.
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