Shifting phenology and abundance under experimental warming alters trophic relationships and plant reproductive capacity
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Shifting phenology and abundance under experimental warming alters trophic relationships and plant reproductive capacity
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2011
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Ecological Society of America
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Article
Abstract
Phenological mismatches due to climate change may have important ecological consequences. In a three-year study, phenological shifts due to experimental warming markedly altered trophic relationships between plants and insect herbivores, causing a dramatic decline of reproductive capacity for one of the plant species. In a Tibetan meadow, the gentian (Gentiana formosa) typically flowers after the peak larva density of a noctuid moth (Melanchra pisi) that primarily feeds on a dominant forb (anemone, Anemone trullifolia var. linearis). However, artificial warming of ∼1.5°C advanced gentian flower phenology and anemone vegetative phenology by a week, but delayed moth larvae emergence by two weeks. The warming increased larval density 10-fold, but decreased anemone density by 30%. The phenological and density shifts under warmed conditions resulted in the insect larvae feeding substantially on the gentian flowers and ovules; there was ∼100-fold more damage in warmed than in unwarmed chambers. This radically increased trophic connection reduced gentian plant reproduction and likely contributed to its reduced abundance in the warmed chambers.
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10.1890/10-2060.1
Previously Published Citation
Yinzhan Liu, Peter B. Reich, Guoyong Li, and Shucun Sun 2011. Shifting phenology and abundance under experimental warming alters trophic relationships and plant reproductive capacity. Ecology 92:1201–1207.
Suggested citation
Liu, Yinzhan; Reich, Peter B; Li, Guoyong; Sun, Shucun. (2011). Shifting phenology and abundance under experimental warming alters trophic relationships and plant reproductive capacity. Retrieved from the University Digital Conservancy, 10.1890/10-2060.1.
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