Predators, parasitoids or chemicals: what protects tree canopies against insect herbivores?
Predators, parasitoids or chemicals: what protects tree canopies against insect herbivores?
Tree canopies support a substantial part of global biodiversity, including hyperdiverse communities of herbivorous insects. The damage by insects to canopy leaves shows strong temporal and spatial dynamics. It is thus likely that herbivore-induced defences play a prominent role in tree canopies. In this project, we assess the role of induced defences in structuring communites of canopy herbivores.
Tree canopies support a substantial part of global biodiversity, including hyperdiverse communities of herbivorous insects. The damage by insects to canopy leaves shows strong temporal and spatial dynamics. It is thus likely that herbivore-induced defences play a prominent role in tree canopies. In this project, we assess the role of induced defences in structuring communites of canopy herbivores.
Related publications:
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- Volf M, Volfová T, Seifert CL, Ludwig A, Engelmann RA, Jorge LR, Richter R, Schedl A, Weinhold A, Wirth C, van Dam NM. A mosaic of induced and non-induced branches promotes variation in leaf traits, predation and insect herbivore assemblages in canopy trees. Ecology Letters. 2021. https://doi.org/10.1111/ele.13943
- Volf M., Weinhold A., Seifert C. L., Holicová T., Uthe H., Alander E., Richter R., Salminen J.-P., Wirth C., van Dam N.M. (2021) Branch-localized induction promotes efficacy of volatile defences and herbivore predation in trees. Journal of Chemical Ecology 47: 99-111. DOI: 10.1007/s10886-020-01232-z
- Volf M., Wirth C., van Dam N.M. (2020) Localized defense induction in trees: a mosaic of leaf traits promoting variation in plant traits, predation, and communities of canopy arthropods? American Journal of Botany 107: 1-4. DOI: 10.1002/ajb2.1457