Ecological Monographs, Volume95, Issue3, August 2025, e70026, https://doi.org/10.1002/ecm.70026
Involved members of MultiTroph: Ming-Qiang Wang, Georg Albert, Douglas Chesters, Helge Bruelheide, Yi Li, Jing-Ting Chen, Shan Li, Tobias Proß, Bo Yang, Qing-Song Zhou, Xiaojuan Liu, Chao-Dong Zhu, Arong Luo, Andreas Schuldt
Summary: This study investigates how tree species diversity, tree growth dynamics, and microclimatic conditions independently and interactively shape the stability of Lepidoptera (caterpillar) herbivore communities in subtropical Chinese forests. Using data spanning six years and three seasonal periods per year, the research assesses the effects of host tree richness, functional diversity, growth rates, and local climate on the abundance, diversity, and spatiotemporal stability of caterpillar communities.
Conclusion: The study concludes that tree diversity plays a crucial role in buffering herbivore communities against climate fluctuations, thereby promoting their spatiotemporal stability. This finding highlights the potential for biodiversity loss to increase herbivore population fluctuations and the risk of pest outbreaks.