Loss of large herbivores affects interactions between plants and their natural enemies, study shows

Press/Media: Research

Description

Researchers in Brazil compared leaf damage caused by insects and pathogens in areas with and without the presence of mammals such as tapirs, deer and peccaries. Absence of the animals led to loss of microorganisms that cause leaf disease, potentially affecting long-term eco-evolutionary processes and reducing biodiversity in tropical forests.

Period06 May 2024

Media coverage

1

Media coverage

  • TitleLoss of large herbivores affects interactions between plants and their natural enemies, study shows
    Degree of recognitionInternational
    Media name/outletAgencia FAPESP
    Media typeOnline journalism
    Country/TerritoryBrazil
    Date06/05/2024
    DescriptionResearchers in Brazil compared leaf damage caused by insects and pathogens in areas with and without the presence of mammals such as tapirs, deer and peccaries. Absence of the animals led to loss of microorganisms that cause leaf disease, potentially affecting long-term eco-evolutionary processes and reducing biodiversity in tropical forests.
    Producer/AuthorAndre Juliao
    URLhttps://agencia.fapesp.br/loss-of-large-herbivores-affects-interactions-between-plants-and-their-natural-enemies-study-shows/51580
    PersonsNacho Villar
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Keywords

  • defaunation
  • tropical forests
  • exclusion experiment
  • large herbivores
  • plant-pathogen interaction
  • plant diversity
  • trophic cascade
  • Atlantic Forest
  • leaf damage
  • natural enemies

Dossiers

  • Restoring and rewilding ecosystems

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