01430nas a2200145 4500008004100000245012000041210006900161300001300230490000700243520085600250100001901106700001801125700001601143856012501159 1988 eng d00aMaximization of densities of soil animals by foliage herbivory: empirical evidence, graphical and conceptual models0 aMaximization of densities of soil animals by foliage herbivory e a243 -2480 v513 a
Feeding by consumers on one portion of a plant resource often results in benefits to consumer feeding on other portions of the same resource. Moderate grazing of foliage often increases densities and biomass of belowground herbivores and detritivores in spite of a neutral or reduced root growth response to foliage removal. Graphical and conceptual models are presented to describe these responses and suggest causal relationships. Empirical data and the models indicate that the positive numerical response of soil animals to foliage herbivory results from increased quality (nitrogen concentration) of roots and changes in consumer assimilation efficiencies. Root growth and senescence and acquisition of soil inorganic nitrogen by microbes colonizing senescent roots are hypothesized as additional causal agents for the soil animal response
1 aSeastedt, T.R.1 aRamundo, R.A.1 aHayes, D.C. uhttp://lter.konza.ksu.edu/content/maximization-densities-soil-animals-foliage-herbivory-empirical-evidence-graphical-and