Forest pest damage is expected to increase with global change. Tree diversity could mitigate this impact, but unambiguous demonstration of the diversity–resistance relationship is lacking in semi-natural mature forests. We used a network of 208 forest plots sampled along two orthogonal gradients of increasing tree species richness and latitudes to assess total tree defoliation in Europe. We found a positive relationship between tree species richness and resistance to insect herbivores: overall damage to broadleaved species significantly decreased with the number of tree species in mature forests. This pattern of associational resistance was frequently observed across tree species and countries, irrespective of their climate. These findings confirm the greater potential of mixed forests to face future biotic disturbances in a changing world.
Tree diversity reduces pest damage in mature forests across Europe
Virginie Guyot,B. Castagneyrol,A. Vialatte,M. Deconchat,H. Jactel
Published 2016 in Biology Letters
ABSTRACT
PUBLICATION RECORD
- Publication year
2016
- Venue
Biology Letters
- Publication date
2016-04-01
- Fields of study
Biology, Medicine, Environmental Science
- Identifiers
- External record
- Source metadata
Semantic Scholar, PubMed
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