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Vázquez-González C, Castagneyrol B, Muiruri EW, Barbaro L, Abdala-Roberts L, Barsoum N, Fründ J, Glynn C, Jactel H, McShea WJ, Mereu S, Mooney KA, Morillas L, Nock CA, Paquette A, Parker JD, Parker WC, Roales J, Scherer-Lorenzen M, Schuldt A, Verheyen K, Weih M, Yang B, Koricheva J. Tree diversity enhances predation by birds but not by arthropods across climate gradients. Ecol Lett 2024; 27:e14427. [PMID: 38698677 DOI: 10.1111/ele.14427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2023] [Revised: 03/28/2024] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 05/05/2024]
Abstract
Tree diversity can promote both predator abundance and diversity. However, whether this translates into increased predation and top-down control of herbivores across predator taxonomic groups and contrasting environmental conditions remains unresolved. We used a global network of tree diversity experiments (TreeDivNet) spread across three continents and three biomes to test the effects of tree species richness on predation across varying climatic conditions of temperature and precipitation. We recorded bird and arthropod predation attempts on plasticine caterpillars in monocultures and tree species mixtures. Both tree species richness and temperature increased predation by birds but not by arthropods. Furthermore, the effects of tree species richness on predation were consistent across the studied climatic gradient. Our findings provide evidence that tree diversity strengthens top-down control of insect herbivores by birds, underscoring the need to implement conservation strategies that safeguard tree diversity to sustain ecosystem services provided by natural enemies in forests.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla Vázquez-González
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California, USA
- Misión Biológica de Galicia, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (MBG-CSIC), Pontevedra, España
| | | | - Evalyne W Muiruri
- Department of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway University of London, Egham, Surrey, UK
| | - Luc Barbaro
- Dynafor, INRAE-INPT, University of Toulouse, Castanet-Tolosan, France
| | - Luis Abdala-Roberts
- Departamento de Ecología Tropical, Campus de Ciencias Biológicas y Agropecuarias, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico
| | - Nadia Barsoum
- Forest Research, Alice Holt Lodge, Farnham, Surrey, UK
| | - Jochen Fründ
- Biometry and Environmental System Analysis, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Animal Network Ecology, Department of Biology, Universität Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
- Nature Conservation and Landscape Ecology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Carolyn Glynn
- Department of Crop Production Ecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Hervé Jactel
- BIOGECO, University of Bordeaux, INRAE, Bordeaux, France
| | - William J McShea
- Conservation Ecology Center, Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute 1500 Remount Road, Front Royal, Virginia, USA
| | - Simone Mereu
- Institute of BioEconomy, National Research Council of Italy, Sassari, Italy
| | - Kailen A Mooney
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California, USA
| | - Lourdes Morillas
- Department of Plant Biology and Ecology, University of Sevilla, C/ Professor García González s/n, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Charles A Nock
- College of Natural and Applied Sciences, Department of Renewable Resources, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Alain Paquette
- Center for Forest Research, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montréal, Canada
| | - John D Parker
- Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, Front Royal, Maryland, USA
| | - William C Parker
- Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada
| | - Javier Roales
- Departamento de Sistemas Físicos, Químicos y Naturales, Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Ctra, Seville, Spain
| | | | - Andreas Schuldt
- Forest Nature Conservation, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Kris Verheyen
- Forest & Nature Lab, Department of Environment, Ghent University, Melle-Gontrode, Belgium
| | - Martin Weih
- Department of Crop Production Ecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Bo Yang
- Jiangxi Key Laboratory of Plant Resources and Biodiversity, Jingdezhen University, Jingdezhen, China
| | - Julia Koricheva
- Department of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway University of London, Egham, Surrey, UK
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2
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Finnie S, Butterill P, Novotny V, Redmond C, Jorge LR, Abe T, Lamarre GPA, Maicher V, Sam K. Vertical stratification and defensive traits of caterpillars against parasitoids in a lowland tropical forest in Cameroon. Oecologia 2024; 204:915-930. [PMID: 38613574 PMCID: PMC11062930 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-024-05542-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 03/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/15/2024]
Abstract
Insect herbivores and their parasitoids play a crucial role in terrestrial trophic interactions in tropical forests. These interactions occur across the entire vertical gradient of the forest. This study compares how caterpillar communities, and their parasitism rates, vary across vertical strata and between caterpillar defensive strategies in a semi deciduous tropical forest in Nditam, Cameroon. Within a 0.1 ha plot, all trees with a diameter at breast height (DBH) ≥ 5 cm were felled and systematically searched for caterpillars. We divided the entire vertical gradient of the forest into eight, five-metre strata. All caterpillars were assigned to a stratum based on their collection height, reared, identified, and classified into one of three defensive traits: aposematic, cryptic and shelter-building. Caterpillar species richness and diversity showed a midstory peak, whereas density followed the opposite pattern, decreasing in the midstory and then increasing towards the highest strata. This trend was driven by some highly dense shelter-building caterpillars in the upper canopy. Specialisation indices indicated decreasing levels of caterpillar generality with increasing height, a midstory peak in vulnerability, and increasing connectance towards the upper canopy, although the latter was likely driven by decreasing network size. Both aposematic and shelter-building caterpillars had significantly higher parasitism rates than cryptic caterpillars. Our results highlight nuanced changes in caterpillar communities across forest strata and provide evidence that defences strategies are important indicators of parasitism rates in caterpillars and that both aposematic and shelter-building caterpillars could be considered a "safe haven" for parasitoids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sam Finnie
- Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Entomology, České Budějovice, Czech Republic.
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice, Czech Republic.
| | - Philip Butterill
- Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Entomology, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Vojtech Novotny
- Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Entomology, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Conor Redmond
- Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Entomology, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Leonardo Ré Jorge
- Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Entomology, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Tomokazu Abe
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chiba University, Chiba, 263-8522, Japan
| | - Greg P A Lamarre
- Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Entomology, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
- Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Apartado, Balboa, 0843-03092, Ancon, Panama
| | - Vincent Maicher
- Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Entomology, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
- The Nature Conservancy (TNC), Libreville, Gabon
| | - Katerina Sam
- Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Entomology, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
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3
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Alavez V, Santos-Gally R, Gutiérrez-Aguilar M, Del-Val E, Boege K. Influence of phylogenetic diversity of plant communities on tri-trophic interactions. Oecologia 2023; 203:125-137. [PMID: 37777642 PMCID: PMC10615933 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-023-05455-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/02/2023]
Abstract
Phylogenetic diversity of plant communities can influence the interaction between plants, herbivores, and their natural enemies. Plant communities with phylogenetically distant species tend to present a wide variety of functional traits and ecological niches, which in turn can influence competitive interactions among plants as well as food and habitat quality for herbivores and their natural enemies. To assess some different mechanisms by which phylogenetic diversity of plant communities can influence herbivores and their natural enemies, we established 12 experimental plots of tropical trees with two treatments: high and low phylogenetic diversity. We measured plant growth and anti-herbivore defenses, herbivore foliar damage, and predator activity in seven species that were present in both treatments. We found significant differences in the expression of plant traits as a function of species identity and their life history, but also depending on the phylogenetic context in which they grew. Pioneer species had higher growth and produced more phenolics in plots with high phylogenetic diversity versus plants in plots with low phylogenetic diversity. Accordingly, herbivore damage in these species was greater in plots with low phylogenetic diversity. Finally, predator activity on caterpillar clay models placed on plants was greater within the low phylogenetic diversity treatment, but only for non-myrmecophytic species. These results suggest that plant phylogenetic diversity can influence the expression of growth and defensive traits and further modify the interaction between plants, herbivores, and their natural enemies. However, such effects depend on plant life history and the presence of mutualistic interaction with ants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Verónica Alavez
- Instituto de Ecología, Departamento de Ecología Evolutiva, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México C.P. 04510, Mexico City, Mexico
- Posgrado en Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, 04510, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Rocio Santos-Gally
- CONAHCYT-Instituto de Ecología, Departamento de Ecología Evolutiva, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, 04510, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Manuel Gutiérrez-Aguilar
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Facultad de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, 04510, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Ek Del-Val
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Ecosistemas y Sustentabilidad, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, 58190, Morelia, Michoacán, Mexico
| | - Karina Boege
- Instituto de Ecología, Departamento de Ecología Evolutiva, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México C.P. 04510, Mexico City, Mexico.
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Pan X, Mizuno T, Ito K, Ohsugi T, Nishimichi S, Nomiya R, Ohno M, Yamawo A, Nakamura A. Assessing temporal dynamics of predation and effectiveness of caterpillar visual defense using sawfly larval color and resting posture as a model. INSECT SCIENCE 2021; 28:1800-1815. [PMID: 33205542 DOI: 10.1111/1744-7917.12884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2020] [Revised: 10/01/2020] [Accepted: 10/28/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Caterpillars (Lepidoptera and Symphyta larvae) employ diverse visual defensive tactics, and effectiveness of such tactics may be highly dynamic across time due to seasonal changes in the predator assemblages and their preferences. However, this has rarely been studied especially in tropical regions. Here we assessed temporal changes in the defensive value of caterpillar color and shape, using six types of plasticine dummy caterpillars: three colors (green, black, and white) × two shapes (curled and straight). These dummy caterpillars were deployed five times over different seasons in tropical forests of Xishuangbanna (China) and, as a comparison, twice in a temperate forest of Hirosaki (Japan). The colors and shapes of dummy caterpillars simulate visual traits of black sawfly larvae which take the curled resting posture in tropical rainforests of Xishuangbanna, apparently masquerading excrements commonly found on plants, while in Hirosaki there is no black-curled sawfly larvae and few excrements on plants. We found no significant effects of caterpillar colors or shapes on predation in Hirosaki. In contrast, black and curled caterpillars received significantly lower predation by birds in Xishuangbanna constantly across time. However, we were unable to provide evidence that the black-curled sawfly larvae are masquerading as excrements. Shapes of the dummy caterpillars also affected the predation by ants and parasitoid wasps at certain times. This is the first report on ecological function of the curled posture of sawfly larvae, and we demonstrated the importance to assess the temporal dynamics of predation and effectiveness of defensive tactics in tropical forests.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xia Pan
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tropical Forest Ecology, Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Menglun, Yunnan, 666303, China
- College of Agriculture and Forestry, Pu'er University, 6 Xueyuan Road, Nanping, Pu'er, Yunnan, 665000, China
| | - Takafumi Mizuno
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tropical Forest Ecology, Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Menglun, Yunnan, 666303, China
| | - Kaiki Ito
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture and Life Science, Hirosaki University, 3 Bunkyo-cho, Hirosaki, Aomori, 036-8561, Japan
| | - Tsuguhiro Ohsugi
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture and Life Science, Hirosaki University, 3 Bunkyo-cho, Hirosaki, Aomori, 036-8561, Japan
| | - Saki Nishimichi
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture and Life Science, Hirosaki University, 3 Bunkyo-cho, Hirosaki, Aomori, 036-8561, Japan
| | - Riku Nomiya
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture and Life Science, Hirosaki University, 3 Bunkyo-cho, Hirosaki, Aomori, 036-8561, Japan
| | - Misuzu Ohno
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture and Life Science, Hirosaki University, 3 Bunkyo-cho, Hirosaki, Aomori, 036-8561, Japan
| | - Akira Yamawo
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture and Life Science, Hirosaki University, 3 Bunkyo-cho, Hirosaki, Aomori, 036-8561, Japan
| | - Akihiro Nakamura
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tropical Forest Ecology, Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Menglun, Yunnan, 666303, China
- Center of Plant Ecology, Core Botanical Gardens, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Mengla, Menglun, 666303, China
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5
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Nason LD, Eason PK, Carreiro MM, Cherry A, Lawson J. Caterpillar survival in the city: attack rates on model lepidopteran larvae along an urban-rural gradient show no increase in predation with increasing urban intensity. Urban Ecosyst 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s11252-020-01091-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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6
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Schwab D, Wurz A, Grass I, Rakotomalala AANA, Osen K, Soazafy MR, Martin DA, Tscharntke T. Decreasing predation rates and shifting predator compositions along a land‐use gradient in Madagascar's vanilla landscapes. J Appl Ecol 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2664.13766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Dominik Schwab
- Agroecology, Department of Crop Sciences University of Göttingen Göttingen Germany
| | - Annemarie Wurz
- Agroecology, Department of Crop Sciences University of Göttingen Göttingen Germany
| | - Ingo Grass
- Ecology of Tropical Agricultural Systems Institute of Agricultural Sciences in the Tropics (Hans‐Ruthenberg‐Institute)University of Hohenheim Stuttgart Germany
| | | | - Kristina Osen
- Tropical Silviculture & Forest Ecology University of Göttingen Göttingen Germany
| | - Marie Rolande Soazafy
- Natural and Environmental Sciences Regional University Centre of SAVA Region (CURSA) Antalaha Madagascar
- Doctoral School of Natural Ecosystems (EDEN) University of Mahajanga Mahajanga Madagascar
| | - Dominic A. Martin
- Biodiversity, Macroecology and Biogeography University of Göttingen Göttingen Germany
| | - Teja Tscharntke
- Agroecology, Department of Crop Sciences University of Göttingen Göttingen Germany
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7
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Gaba S, Cheviron N, Perrot T, Piutti S, Gautier JL, Bretagnolle V. Weeds Enhance Multifunctionality in Arable Lands in South-West of France. FRONTIERS IN SUSTAINABLE FOOD SYSTEMS 2020. [DOI: 10.3389/fsufs.2020.00071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
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Living in small spaces: Forest fragment characterization and its use by Philippine tarsiers (Tarsius syrichta Linnaeus, 1758) in Mindanao Island, Philippines. Primates 2020; 61:529-542. [PMID: 32043166 DOI: 10.1007/s10329-020-00798-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2019] [Accepted: 01/21/2020] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
The Philippine tarsier (Tarsius syrichta) is a charismatic species that is threatened by illegal hunting and deforestation. Although they occur in forest and disturbed habitats, ecological information about them is still considerably lacking, which consequently hampers our ability to effectively protect tarsiers from further endangerment. Here, we characterized a 36-ha forest fragment in Mindanao Island where a population of tarsiers persist, and assessed the factors that could have influenced their distribution within the area. We sampled trees (> 1 cm DBH) within 10 × 10-m sampling plots (N = 54), which were established within 1-ha grids (N = 32) and locations where tarsiers were captured (N = 22). The habitat was characterized as a regenerating forest over limestone, with a generally homogeneous structure in terms of tree species richness, abundance, mean DBH, and height. In both sampling plots, we found an abundance of trees below 5 cm in DBH (> 50%) and between 2.6 and 5 m in height (> 40%), which, accordingly, the tarsiers appeared to prefer to use when foraging or sleeping. Lianas were among the most important features of the forest, possibly being a keystone structure in such habitats. Community assemblage, species richness, and mean height of trees, as well as distance to the forest edge, were found to be significant factors that influenced tarsier distribution in the fragment. Our study provides basic yet critical information on the habitat and ecology of Philippine tarsiers in Mindanao, and highlights the importance of forest fragments with rich flora diversity to the survival of the species.
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Nell CS, Abdala-Roberts L, Parra-Tabla V, Mooney KA. Tropical tree diversity mediates foraging and predatory effects of insectivorous birds. Proc Biol Sci 2018; 285:rspb.2018.1842. [PMID: 30404881 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2018.1842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2018] [Accepted: 10/17/2018] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Biodiversity affects the structure of ecological communities, but little is known about the interactive effects of diversity across multiple trophic levels. We used a large-scale forest diversity experiment to investigate the effects of tropical tree species richness on insectivorous birds, and the subsequent indirect effect on predation rates by birds. Diverse plots (four tree species) had higher bird abundance (61%), phylogenetic diversity (61%), and functional diversity (55%) than predicted based on single-species monocultures, which corresponded to higher attack rates on artificial caterpillars (65%). Tree diversity effects on attack rate were driven by complementarity among tree species, with increases in attack rate observed on all tree species in polycultures. Attack rates on artificial caterpillars were higher in plots with higher bird abundance and diversity, but the indirect effect of tree species richness was mediated by bird diversity, providing evidence that diversity can interact across trophic levels with consequences tied to ecosystem services and function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Colleen S Nell
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, 92697 Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Luis Abdala-Roberts
- Departamento de Ecología Tropical, Campus de Ciencias Biológicas y Agropecuarias, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, 97000 Mérida, Yucatan, Mexico
| | - Victor Parra-Tabla
- Departamento de Ecología Tropical, Campus de Ciencias Biológicas y Agropecuarias, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, 97000 Mérida, Yucatan, Mexico
| | - Kailen A Mooney
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, 92697 Irvine, CA, USA
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Fernandez-Conradi P, Borowiec N, Capdevielle X, Castagneyrol B, Maltoni A, Robin C, Selvi F, Van Halder I, Vétillard F, Jactel H. Plant neighbour identity and invasive pathogen infection affect associational resistance to an invasive gall wasp. Biol Invasions 2017. [DOI: 10.1007/s10530-017-1637-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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11
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Yang B, Li B, He Y, Zhang L, Bruelheide H, Schuldt A. Tree diversity has contrasting effects on predation rates by birds and arthropods on three broadleaved, subtropical tree species. Ecol Res 2017. [DOI: 10.1007/s11284-017-1531-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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