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Linking herbivory and ecosystem services in urban forests
Xoaquín Moreira1, Luis Abdala-Roberts2
1Misión Biológica de Galicia (MBG-CSIC), Apartado de Correos 28, 36080 Pontevedra, Galicia, Spain.
Trends in Plant Science
|November 17, 2022
Summary
Urban forests offer human benefits, but herbivory can disrupt ecosystem services. Further research is needed to understand herbivory
Area of Science:
- Urban ecology
- Forestry
- Ecosystem services
Background:
- Urban forests provide essential ecosystem services to human populations.
- Species interactions, such as herbivory, can negatively impact urban forest functions.
- Understanding these interactions is crucial for maintaining urban ecosystem health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the need for research on herbivory drivers in urban forests.
- To investigate the relationship between herbivory and the provisioning of ecosystem services.
- To inform effective management strategies for urban forest ecosystems.
Main Methods:
- This study is a call for research, outlining a conceptual framework.
- It emphasizes the need for empirical studies to identify herbivory drivers.
- It proposes testing the links between herbivory and ecosystem services.
Main Results:
- Herbivory poses a significant threat to urban forest ecosystem services.
- Identifying herbivory drivers is critical for understanding its impact.
- A direct link exists between the level of herbivory and the quality of forest services.
Conclusions:
- Further research is essential to understand and mitigate herbivory's effects in urban forests.
- Management strategies should consider the role of herbivory in urban ecosystem functioning.
- Protecting urban forest services requires addressing species interactions.
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