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Cited by 63Wildlife Ecology and ConservationEcology and Vegetation Dynamics StudiesEcology and biodiversity studies

Climate change intensification of herbivore impacts on tree recruitment

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Brodie, Jedediah, Post, Eric, Watson, Fred, Berger, Joel·2012·Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences
DOI 10.1098/rspb.2011.1501PMC PMC3282359
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Abstract

Altered species interactions are difficult to predict and yet may drive the response of ecological communities to climate change. We show that declining snowpack strengthens the impacts of a generalist herbivore, elk ( Cervus elaphus ), on a common tree species. Thick snowpack substantially reduces elk visitation to sites; aspen ( Populus tremuloides ) shoots in these areas experience lower browsing rates, higher survival and enhanced recruitment. Aspen inside herbivore exclosures have greatly increased recruitment, particularly at sites with thick snowpack. We suggest that long-term decreases in snowpack could help explain a widespread decline of aspen through previously unconsidered relationships. More generally, reduced snowpack across the Rocky Mountains, combined with rising elk populations, may remove the conditions needed for recruitment of this ecologically important tree species. These results highlight that herbivore behavioural responses to altered abiotic conditions are critical determinants of plant persistence. Predictions of climate change impacts must not overlook the crucial importance of species interactions.

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  • Research has not isolated the effect of elk herbivory on aspen from other factors including temperature, moisture, snow pack, bovid herbivory, and conifer competition.

    “To date, however, there is an absence of research capable of isolating the effect of elk herbivory from other factors that may influence aspen, including temperature (Brown et al. 2006), moisture (Romme et al. 1995), snow pack (Brodie et al. 2012), bovid herbivory (Kimble et al. 2011, Beschta & Ripple 2014), and competition with conifers (Bartos 2001).”

    From Trophic Cascades in a Multicausal World: Isle Royale and Yellowstone (2014) · cites this paper as Brodie et al. 2012

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References 44 · Cited by 63

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Authors
Brodie, J., Post, E., Watson, F., & Berger, J.
Affiliations
  • University of Montana (US)
  • Pennsylvania State University (US)
  • California State University, Monterey Bay (US)
  • Wildlife Biology Program, University of Montana, Missoula, MT 59812, USA
Corresponding author
Brodie, Jedediah
ORCID
Venue
Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences
Publisher
The Royal Society
Published
2011-10-05
Volume
279
Issue
1732
Pages
1366-1370
ISSN
  • 0080-4649 (ISSN-L)
  • 0962-8452
  • 1471-2954
DOI
10.1098/rspb.2011.1501
PMC
PMC3282359
OpenAlex
W2166769025
Cited by
63
References
44
Citations by year
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FWCI
6.50
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
royalsociety.org/journals/ethics-policies/data-sharing-mining/ (tdm)
Locations
  • Proceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences (publishedVersion)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Digital Commons - USU (Utah State University) (submittedVersion)
Funders
  • Cedar Tree Foundation
  • Society for Conservation Biology
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Ecology › Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Nature and Landscape Conservation › Ecology and Vegetation Dynamics Studies
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Ecology › Ecology and biodiversity studies
Keywords
climate change, snowpack decline, elk, red deer, aspen, Populus tremuloides, tree recruitment, herbivore browsing, herbivore exclosures, plant-herbivore interactions, Rocky Mountains, tree decline
MeSH terms
Animals, Deer, Montana, Snow, Trees, Ecosystem, Populus, Climate Change, Herbivory

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