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Foliar Nutritional Quality Explains Patchy Browsing Damage Caused by an Invasive Mammal
Hannah R Windley1, Mandy C Barron2, E Penelope Holland2
1Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Acton, ACT 2601, Australia.
Plos One
|May 13, 2016
Summary
Invasive possums selectively browse native trees based on foliage nutrition. Higher available nitrogen in leaves predicted greater browsing damage, offering insights for forest conservation and invasive species control.
Area of Science:
- Ecology
- Wildlife Biology
- Conservation Science
Background:
- Introduced herbivores cause significant, yet uneven, damage to native ecosystems via selective browsing.
- The specific drivers behind this patchy herbivory in many ecosystems remain poorly understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if foliar nutritional quality predicts browsing preferences of invasive common brushtail possums (Trichosurus vulpecula).
- To understand the relationship between nutritional variation and herbivore impact in a New Zealand temperate forest.
Main Methods:
- Quantified spatial and temporal variation in foliar chemistry (nitrogen, digestibility, tannins) of 275 trees across five native species.
- Assessed browsing damage severity by possums on these trees.
- Correlated selective browsing patterns with foliar nutritional quality metrics.
Main Results:
- Significant spatial and temporal variations in nutritional quality were observed among and within tree species.
- A positive correlation was found between available nitrogen concentration (digestible protein) and the extent of possum browsing damage.
- Foliar available nitrogen concentration was a key predictor of browsing intensity.
Conclusions:
- Foliar nutritional quality, particularly available nitrogen, is a critical factor influencing invasive herbivore browsing patterns.
- Understanding these nutritional drivers provides crucial insights for effective conservation of native forests and targeted control of invasive mammals.
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