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Updated: Mar 22, 2026

JenaTron - An Experimental Approach to Study the Effects of Plant History and Soil History on Grassland Ecosystem Functioning
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Herbivore preference drives plant community composition.

Anne Kempel, Mialy Razanajatovo, Claudia Stein

    Ecology
    |April 13, 2016
    PubMed
    Summary
    This summary is machine-generated.

    Herbivores significantly impact grassland plant communities. Plant species preferred by herbivores decreased in abundance when herbivores were excluded, revealing a key mechanism in plant community assembly.

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    Area of Science:

    • Ecology
    • Plant Science
    • Community Ecology

    Background:

    • Herbivores are crucial in shaping plant species coexistence and community structure.
    • Mechanistic understanding of how herbivores influence plant dominance hierarchies remains limited.
    • Plant defense strategies and nutritional value influence herbivore interactions.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To investigate the impact of herbivory on plant species cover and dominance in grassland ecosystems.
    • To determine the role of plant defense and nutritional traits in mediating herbivore effects on plant communities.
    • To elucidate the mechanisms by which herbivores influence plant community composition.

    Main Methods:

    • Conducted a multi-site herbivore exclusion experiment using aboveground pesticide application.
    • Assessed changes in the cover of 28 grassland plant species.
    • Measured species-specific plant defense via generalist caterpillar performance and feeding preference experiments (caterpillar and slug).

    Main Results:

    • Plant species with higher herbivore preference in feeding trials increased in cover after herbivore exclusion.
    • Less preferred plant species decreased in cover following herbivore removal.
    • Herbivore performance and leaf traits did not correlate with changes in plant cover; however, herbivores and slugs showed similar preferences, indicating shared perception of plant defense and nutrition.

    Conclusions:

    • The growth-defense trade-off in grassland plants operates through herbivore preference.
    • Variation in plant growth and herbivore preference are key drivers of grassland plant community composition.
    • Herbivore feeding preferences are a strong predictor of plant community dynamics.