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Tree physiological responses to above‐ground herbivory directly modify below‐ground processes of soil carbon and nitrogen cycling
Author(s) -
Ayres Edward,
Heath James,
Possell Malcolm,
Black Helaina I. J.,
Kerstiens Gerhard,
Bardgett Richard D.
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
ecology letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 6.852
H-Index - 265
eISSN - 1461-0248
pISSN - 1461-023X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1461-0248.2004.00604.x
Subject(s) - beech , abies alba , fagus sylvatica , herbivore , ecosystem , interspecific competition , nutrient cycle , biomass (ecology) , agronomy , ecology , terrestrial ecosystem , soil carbon , mineralization (soil science) , soil water , nitrogen cycle , nutrient , biology , environmental science , picea abies , nitrogen , chemistry , organic chemistry
Above‐ground herbivory is ubiquitous in terrestrial ecosystems, yet its impacts on below‐ground processes and consequences for plants remain ambiguous. To examine whether physiological responses of individual trees may potentially modify soil nutrient availability, we subjected Fagus sylvatica L. (European beech) and Abies alba Mill. (silver fir) to simulated foliar herbivory over two growing seasons. Above‐ground herbivory enhanced N mineralization and inorganic N availability in the soil. The total input of C from the plant roots to the soil is not known; however, carbon sequestration in the soil, measured using stable isotopic techniques, was unaffected by herbivory. Fagus responded to herbivory by producing larger leaves, with increased photosynthetic capacity and N content, which largely compensated for the loss of biomass; Abies exhibited no such response. We conclude that despite large interspecific differences in the growth response, tree physiological responses to foliar herbivory are capable of directly modifying soil biological processes.