Maximization of densities of soil animals by foliage herbivory: empirical evidence, graphical and conceptual models

TitleMaximization of densities of soil animals by foliage herbivory: empirical evidence, graphical and conceptual models
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication1988
AuthorsSeastedt, TR, Ramundo, RA, Hayes, DC
JournalOikos
Volume51
Pagination243 -248
Accession NumberKNZ00205
Abstract

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

DOI10.2307/3565649