dc.contributor.author | Scogings, Peter F. | |
dc.contributor.author | Hjältén, Joachim | |
dc.contributor.author | Skarpe, Christina | |
dc.date.accessioned | 2012-02-01T09:59:19Z | |
dc.date.available | 2012-02-01T09:59:19Z | |
dc.date.issued | 2011 | |
dc.identifier.citation | Scogings, P.F., Hjälten, J. & Skarpe, C. (2011). Secondary metabolites and nutrients of woody plants in relation to browsing intensity in African savannas. Oecologia 167(4),1063-1073. | no_NO |
dc.identifier.uri | http://hdl.handle.net/11250/134430 | |
dc.description | This is the postprint version of the article. The original publication is available at www.springerlink.com | no_NO |
dc.description.abstract | Abstract Carbon-based secondary metabolites (CBSMs) are assumed to function as defences that contribute to herbivore-avoidance strategies of woody plants. Severe browsing has been reported to reduce concentrations of CBSMs and increase N concentrations in individual plants, causing heavily browsed plants to be characterised by N-rich/C-poor tissues. We hypothesised that concentrations of condensed tannins (CT) and total polyphenols (TP) should decrease, or N increase, in relation to increasing intensity of browsing, rendering severely browsed plants potentially more palatable (increased N:CT) and less N-limited (increased N:P) than lightly browsed ones. We sampled naturally browsed trees (taller than 2 m) of four abundant species in southern Kruger National Park, South Africa. Species-specific relationships between N:CT, CT, TP and P concentrations and increasing browsing intensity were detected, but N and N:P were consistently invariable. We developed a conceptual post-hoc model to explain diverse species-specific CBSM responses on the basis of relative allocation of C to total C-based defence traits (e.g., spines/thorns, tough/evergreen leaves, phenolic compounds). The model suggests that species with low allocation of C to C-based defence traits become C-limited (potentially more palatable) at higher browsing intensity than species with high allocation of C to C-based defences. The model also suggests that when N availability is high, plants become C-limited at higher browsing intensity than when N availability is low. | no_NO |
dc.language.iso | eng | no_NO |
dc.publisher | Springer | no_NO |
dc.subject | Functional trait | no_NO |
dc.subject | Growth-defence | no_NO |
dc.subject | Herbivore | no_NO |
dc.subject | Photosynthesis | no_NO |
dc.subject | Source:sink | no_NO |
dc.title | Secondary metabolites and nutrients of woody plants in relation to browsing intensity in African savannas | no_NO |
dc.type | Journal article | no_NO |
dc.type | Peer reviewed | no_NO |
dc.subject.nsi | VDP::Mathematics and natural science: 400::Zoology and botany: 480 | no_NO |
dc.source.pagenumber | 1063-1073 | no_NO |
dc.source.volume | 167 | no_NO |
dc.source.journal | Oecologia | no_NO |
dc.source.issue | 4 | no_NO |
dc.identifier.doi | 10.1007/s00442-011-2042-9 | |