Your browser version may not work well with NCBI's Web applications. More information here...
1: Science. 2006 Mar 10;311(5766):1459-61.
Related Articles, Links
Click here to read Click here to read
Comment in:
Opposing effects of native and exotic herbivores on plant invasions.

Parker JD, Burkepile DE, Hay ME.

School of Biology, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA. jdp52@cornell.edu

Exotic species are widely assumed to thrive because they lack natural enemies in their new ranges. However, a meta-analysis of 63 manipulative field studies including more than 100 exotic plant species revealed that native herbivores suppressed exotic plants, whereas exotic herbivores facilitated both the abundance and species richness of exotic plants. Both outcomes suggest that plants are especially susceptible to novel, generalist herbivores that they have not been selected to resist. Thus, native herbivores provide biotic resistance to plant invasions, but the widespread replacement of native with exotic herbivores eliminates this ecosystem service, facilitates plant invasions, and triggers an invasional "meltdown."

Publication Types:
PMID: 16527979 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]