Kohei Nakatsuji , Yuta Kobayashi , Tomohiro Yoshida
{"title":"Microtopography and vegetation generate uneven predation pressure on forest insects","authors":"Kohei Nakatsuji , Yuta Kobayashi , Tomohiro Yoshida","doi":"10.1016/j.actao.2024.104031","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Predation plays an important role in the coexistence of multiple species within forest ecosystems. It is spatially heterogeneous and influenced by the surrounding environment at different spatial scales. Studies focusing on multiple environmental factors in systems with high spatial complexity are lacking, but elucidating the effects of local environmental factors within a forest could assist in understanding the effects of local differences in predation pressures on multispecies coexistence. Here, we examined the effects of microtopography and vegetation on predation pressure using the model caterpillar method. We hypothesized that differences in microtopography and vegetation types would result in different predation pressures on invertebrates within a forest. Insect attacks were dominant throughout the study period. The attack rates on the model caterpillars were also lower on hill tops and evergreen deciduous trees. Predation pressure within the forest was heterogeneous and independently influenced by topography and vegetation type. Our results suggest that environmental heterogeneity within forests may lead to highly variable predation pressures and affect multispecies coexistence. This study suggests that microtopography and vegetation types within forests should be considered for biological control.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55564,"journal":{"name":"Acta Oecologica-International Journal of Ecology","volume":"125 ","pages":"Article 104031"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3000,"publicationDate":"2024-09-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Acta Oecologica-International Journal of Ecology","FirstCategoryId":"93","ListUrlMain":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1146609X24000535","RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q3","JCRName":"ECOLOGY","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Predation plays an important role in the coexistence of multiple species within forest ecosystems. It is spatially heterogeneous and influenced by the surrounding environment at different spatial scales. Studies focusing on multiple environmental factors in systems with high spatial complexity are lacking, but elucidating the effects of local environmental factors within a forest could assist in understanding the effects of local differences in predation pressures on multispecies coexistence. Here, we examined the effects of microtopography and vegetation on predation pressure using the model caterpillar method. We hypothesized that differences in microtopography and vegetation types would result in different predation pressures on invertebrates within a forest. Insect attacks were dominant throughout the study period. The attack rates on the model caterpillars were also lower on hill tops and evergreen deciduous trees. Predation pressure within the forest was heterogeneous and independently influenced by topography and vegetation type. Our results suggest that environmental heterogeneity within forests may lead to highly variable predation pressures and affect multispecies coexistence. This study suggests that microtopography and vegetation types within forests should be considered for biological control.
期刊介绍:
Acta Oecologica is venue for the publication of original research articles in ecology. We encourage studies in all areas of ecology, including ecosystem ecology, community ecology, population ecology, conservation ecology and evolutionary ecology. There is no bias with respect to taxon, biome or geographic area. Both theoretical and empirical papers are welcome, but combinations are particularly sought. Priority is given to papers based on explicitly stated hypotheses. Acta Oecologica also accepts review papers.