Offensive-defensive interactions between herbivores and plants: Their relevance in herbivore population dynamics and ecological theory
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Authors: D. F. Rhoades
Date: 1985
Journal: The American Naturalist
Volume: 125
Number: 2
Pages: 205-238
Summary of Methods: In certain traditional models, plants have been viewed as passive participants. There is now strong evidence, however, that plants are far from passive in their interactions with herbivores. In this paper, Rhoades reviews the evidence that plants are defended against herbivores, that plant nutritional quality can vary as a function of physical stress of plants and degree of herbivory experienced by plants, and that defensive communication between plants exists. Rhoades postulates that acquired immunity to herbivores may be an important component of plant defense. Finally, he suggests that there may be two alternative strategies of herbivores to counter plant defensive systems. These strategies may explain why some herbivore populations are variable whereas others are relatively invariant, why some species of herbivores exhibit phase polymorphism, and together with other considerations, why it has proved difficult to demonstrate competition between herbivores.
Article Summary / Main Points: None
Vegetation Types:
MLRA Ecoregions:
Agrovoc Control Words: Riparian zones Rangelands Wildlife
Article Review Type: Refereed
Article Type: Scientific Synthesis
Keywords: plant-herbivore interactions, plant defenses, plant offenses, herbivory resistance
Annotation: The majority of the review revolves around insects and worms. Grazing intensity is not specified. Season of use is not specified.
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