“…If the juvenile Q. gambelii plants can survive in the understory at reduced light levels and reduced photosynthetic rates until a tree fall gap appears, they could replace the fallen adult. Although shade may influence recruitment (Griffin 1976, Cierjacks andHensen 2004), other studies indicate herbivory may be as, or more important (Griffin 1976, Allen-Diaz and Bartolome 1992, McPherson 1993, Bonfil 1998, Renauld et al 2003, Rooney 2003, Rossell et al 2005, Van Auken and McKinley 2008, or a synergistic inhibitory effects between herbivory and lower light levels may occur (Quintana-Ascencio et al 1992, Kelly 2002, Riley and Jones 2003, Baraza et al 2004.…”