Tree diversity enhances predation by birds but not by arthropods across climate gradients
VÁZQUEZ-GONZÁLEZ, Carla
Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas [España] = Spanish National Research Council [Spain] [CSIC]
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Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas [España] = Spanish National Research Council [Spain] [CSIC]
VÁZQUEZ-GONZÁLEZ, Carla
Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas [España] = Spanish National Research Council [Spain] [CSIC]
< Reduce
Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas [España] = Spanish National Research Council [Spain] [CSIC]
Language
en
Article de revue
This item was published in
Ecology Letters. 2024-05-02, vol. 27, n° 5
Wiley
English 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 ...Read more >
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.Read less <
English Keywords
arthropod predation, biotic interactions, bird predation, clay caterpillars, plant diversity, prey-predator interactions, tree species richness, TreeDivNet
Origin
Hal imported