Global synthesis of effects of plant species diversity on trophic groups and interactions

Wan, Nian Feng; Zheng, Xiang Rong; Fu, Li Wan; Kiær, Lars Pødenphant; Zhang, Zhijie J.; Chaplin‐Kramer, Rebecca; Dainese, Matteo; Tan, Jiaqi; Qiu, Shi; Hu, Yue‐Qing; Tian, Wei; Nie, Ming; Ju, Rui Ting; Deng, Jian; Jiang, Jianxia; Cai, You Ming; Li, Bo

doi:10.1038/s41477-020-0654-y

Cited by 115 publications

(95 citation statements)

References 55 publications

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“…However, plant diversity likely constrains herbivore performance by means other than just the dilution of nutrient concentrations, as predation rates have also been shown to increase at high levels of plant diversity (18,19). This process is described by the "enemies hypothesis" (16), which proposes that higher plant species diversity will provide greater refuge for predators [e.g., (20)], leading to greater suppression of herbivores via top-down control (19). Given that both bottom-up and top-down forces operate simultaneously, increasing plant diversity likely reduces herbivore impacts on plants through these simultaneous multitrophic controls in food webs.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Biodiversity enhances the multitrophic control of arthropod herbivory

et al. 2020

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Arthropod herbivores cause substantial economic costs that drive an increasing need to develop environmentally sustainable approaches to herbivore control. Increasing plant diversity is expected to limit herbivory by altering plant-herbivore and predator-herbivore interactions, but the simultaneous influence of these interactions on herbivore impacts remains unexplored. We compiled 487 arthropod food webs in two long-running grassland biodiversity experiments in Europe and North America to investigate whether and how increasing plant diversity can reduce the impacts of herbivores on plants. We show that plants lose just under half as much energy to arthropod herbivores when in high-diversity mixtures versus monocultures and reveal that plant diversity decreases effects of herbivores on plants by simultaneously benefiting predators and reducing average herbivore food quality. These findings demonstrate that conserving plant diversity is crucial for maintaining interactions in food webs that provide natural control of herbivore pests.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Biodiversity enhances the multitrophic control of arthropod herbivory

et al. 2020

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“…For specialist enemies, he predicted that populations would fluctuate less "because the refuge provided by a complex environment enables host species to escape widespread annihilation" [20]. The intuitive predictions of the "enemies" hypothesis are often supported in agricultural ecosystems (e.g., [21,23,24]). However, it might be that in communities with long-lived plant individuals, such as forests, plant diversity-facilitated top-down control might differ from annual communities where consumer assemblages need to reassemble anew each year.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Influence of Tree Diversity on Natural Enemies—a Review of the “Enemies” Hypothesis in Forests

Staab

Schuldt

2020

Curr Forestry Rep

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Purpose of Review Natural enemies are an important component for forest functioning. By consuming herbivores, they can be effective top-down regulators of potential pest species. Tree mixtures are generally expected to have larger predator and parasitoid populations compared to monocultures. This assumption is based on the “enemies” hypothesis, a classical ecological concept predicting a positive relationship between plant diversity (and complexity) and natural enemies, which, in turn, should increase top-down control in more diverse environments. However, the “enemies” hypothesis has mostly been tested and supported in relatively simple agricultural ecosystems. Until recently, research in forests was sparse. We summarize the upcoming knowledge-base for forests and identify forest characteristics likely shaping relationships between tree diversity, natural enemies (abundance, species richness, diversity), and top-down control. We further identify possible implications for mixed species forestry and key knowledge gaps. Recent Findings Tree diversity (almost exclusively quantified as tree species richness) does not consistently increase enemy abundance, diversity, or result in herbivore control. Tests of the “enemies” hypothesis are largely based on aboveground natural enemies (mainly generalists) and have highly variable outcomes across taxa and study systems, sometimes even finding a decrease in predator diversity with increasing tree diversity. Recurrent effects of tree species identity and composition indicate that a closer focus on tree functional and phylogenetic diversity might help to foster a mechanistic understanding of the specific circumstances under which tree diversity can promote top-down control. Summary Our review suggests that the “enemies” hypothesis may not unambiguously apply to forests. With trees as structurally complex organisms, even low-diversity forests can maintain a high degree of habitat heterogeneity and may provide niches for many predator and parasitoid species, possibly blurring correlations between tree and natural enemy diversity. Several further factors, such as latitude, identity effects, intraguild predation, or functional and phylogenetic components of biodiversity, may confound the predictions of the “enemies” hypothesis. We identify topics needing more research to fully understand under which conditions tree diversity increases natural enemy diversity and top-down control—knowledge that will be crucial for forest management.

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“…Recently discovery revealed that altering the cropping pattern from intensive monoculture to diversified agriculture, could help to withstand the climate change, protect vital wildlife and alleviate the long-term loss of biodiversity outside natural protected area in the future [51]. Besides, increasing plant species diversity could promote beneficial trophic interactions between insects and plants, ultimately contributing to increased ecosystem services [52] Thus, we suggested that more wild edible plants could be introduced and cultivated in the nearby protected areas, farming land, rubber forest, tea plantation field and village owned forest, homegardens as well as any suitable sites to build corridors or ex situ reserve areas for some important, rare, medicinal and edible plants, conserve more plant genetic resources and establish a diversified agriculture. Moreover, modern plantation technology should also be updated, and the cultivation and domestication of some preferred wild edible plants should be strengthened by cooperating with some food industries to reduce field collection, increase economic income and contribute to the sustainable development of local communities.…”

Section: Important Role Of Traditional Knowledge To Local Communitiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ethnobotanical Study on Wild Edible Plants Used by Three Trans-Boundary Ethnic Groups in Jiangcheng County, Pu’er, Southwest China

Cao¹,

Zhou

et al. 2020

Preprint

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Abstract Background: Dai, Hani and Yao people in the trans-boundary region between China, Laos and Vietnam, have gathered plentiful traditional knowledge about wild edible plants during the long history of understanding and using natural resources. The ecologically rich environment and the multi-ethnic integration provide a valuable foundation and driving force for high biodiversity and cultural diversity in this region. However, little study has uncovered the mystical veil of this unique and attractive culture. Methods: Ethnobotanical fieldwork, market and village survey have been conducted in 20 villages of Jiangcheng County during the period from 2016 to 2019. Altogether 109 local Dai, Hani and Yao people were interviewed, and their traditional knowledge of wild edible plants was recorded. Voucher specimens were identified by the authors and deposited in the herbarium of Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences (HITBC). The statistical analysis was performed using R Studio software. Results: 211 wild edible plants, belonging to 73 families and 152 genera, were recorded. These plants were consumed as wild edible vegetables, seasonal fruits, salads, spices, sour condiments, tonic soups, tea substitutes, liquor brewing or dyeing materials. The use value (UV), current cultivation, market availability, as well as the quantitative traditional knowledge inheritance situation of these wild edible plants among different generations were analyzed. Based on the data from threatened species list of China’s higher plants and the IUCN red list, the food plant list for Asia Elephant, the subject database of China plant and the calculated UV score, the top 30 most important wild edible plants were selected for further cultivation in the local village Conclusion: Traditional knowledge of wild edible plants, owned by Dai, Hani and Yao people in Jiangcheng County, is rich but at risk of losing among the young generation. Diversified cultivation of wild edible plants by the local communities could be a solution for sustainable use of natural resources, and conserve the endangered species in this trans-boundary region.

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Global synthesis of effects of plant species diversity on trophic groups and interactions

Cited by 115 publications

References 55 publications

Biodiversity enhances the multitrophic control of arthropod herbivory

Biodiversity enhances the multitrophic control of arthropod herbivory

The Influence of Tree Diversity on Natural Enemies—a Review of the “Enemies” Hypothesis in Forests

Ethnobotanical Study on Wild Edible Plants Used by Three Trans-Boundary Ethnic Groups in Jiangcheng County, Pu’er, Southwest China

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