Garcia.etal.accepted.version.Oecologia.pdf (2.94 MB)
Fires can benefit plants by disrupting antagonistic interactions
journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-09, 03:35 authored by Y García, Maria Clara CastellanosMaria Clara Castellanos, J G PausasFire has a key role in the ecology and evolution of many ecosystems, yet its effects on plant–insect interactions are poorly understood. Because interacting species are likely to respond to fire differently, disruptions of the interactions are expected. We hypothesized that plants that regenerate after fire can benefit through the disruption of their antagonistic interactions. We expected stronger effects on interactions with specialist predators than with generalists. We studied two interactions between two Mediterranean plants (Ulex parviflorus, Asphodelus ramosus) and their specialist seed predators after large wildfires. In A. ramosus we also studied the generalist herbivores. We sampled the interactions in burned and adjacent unburned areas during 2 years by estimating seed predation, number of herbivores and fruit set. To assess the effect of the distance to unburned vegetation we sampled plots at two distance classes from the fire perimeter. Even 3 years after the fires, Ulex plants experienced lower seed damage by specialists in burned sites. The presence of herbivores on Asphodelus decreased in burned locations, and the variability in their presence was significantly related to fruit set. Generalist herbivores were unaffected. We show that plants can benefit from fire through the disruption of their antagonistic interactions with specialist seed predators for at least a few years. In environments with a long fire history, this effect might be one additional mechanism underlying the success of fire-adapted plants.
History
Publication status
- Published
File Version
- Accepted version
Journal
OecologiaISSN
0029-8549Publisher
SpringerExternal DOI
Issue
4Volume
182Page range
1165-1173Department affiliated with
- Evolution, Behaviour and Environment Publications
Full text available
- Yes
Peer reviewed?
- Yes
Legacy Posted Date
2016-10-20First Open Access (FOA) Date
2017-09-25First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date
2016-10-19Usage metrics
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