Publication Details

Category Text Publication
Reference Category Journals
DOI 10.1016/j.baae.2018.03.005
Document accepted manuscript
Title (Primary) Intra- and interspecific tree diversity promotes multitrophic plant–Hemiptera–ant interactions in a forest diversity experiment
Author Cao, H.; Klein, A.-M.; Zhu, C.-D.; Staab, M.; Durka, W. ORCID logo ; Fischer, M.; Fornoff, F.
Source Titel Basic and Applied Ecology
Year 2018
Department BZF; iDiv
Volume 29
Page From 89
Page To 97
Language englisch
Keywords Tree genotype diversity; Ant; Hemiptera; Subtropical forest; BEF-China; Multitrophic; Interaction network; Bottom-up; Cinnamomum camphora; Idesia polycarpa
UFZ wide themes RU1;
Abstract Interactions between species of different trophic levels have long been recognized as fundamental processes in ecology. Although mounting evidence indicates that plant species diversity (PSD) or plant genetic diversity (PGD) can influence the plant-associated arthropod community, these two fundamental levels of biodiversity are not often manipulated simultaneously to assess their effects on species interactions. We used a large tree diversity experiment (BEF-China), which manipulates PSD and PGD in a crossed design to test individual and combined effects of PSD and PGD on multitrophic interaction networks and interaction partner species richness and occurrence. We focused on two tree species, on which sap-sucking Hemiptera and interacting ant species commonly occur. This tri-trophic interaction can be divided into the antagonistic plant–Hemiptera interaction and the mutualistic Hemiptera–ant interaction, known as trophobioses. Qualitative evaluation of tri-trophic interaction networks at different PSD and PGD combinations showed increased interaction partner redundancy at high PSD and PGD. This was supported by increased Hemiptera species richness at high PSD and PGD. Furthermore, the data indicate higher occurrence of Hemiptera and trophobioses and higher trophobiotic ant species richness with increasing PSD and PGD. As no plant diversity component alone caused an effect we conclude that the combined effect of high PGD and high PSD might be additive. In summary, as plant genetic diversity, especially at low species richness, seems to increase the interaction partner redundancy in interaction networks and the diversity of interacting communities, we suggest that genetic diversity should be considered in forest conservation and restoration programs.
Persistent UFZ Identifier https://www.ufz.de/index.php?en=20939&ufzPublicationIdentifier=20025
Cao, H., Klein, A.-M., Zhu, C.-D., Staab, M., Durka, W., Fischer, M., Fornoff, F. (2018):
Intra- and interspecific tree diversity promotes multitrophic plant–Hemiptera–ant interactions in a forest diversity experiment
Basic Appl. Ecol. 29 , 89 - 97 10.1016/j.baae.2018.03.005