Effects of Large-Scale Nitrogen Fertilization on Insect–Plant Interactions in the Canopy of Tall Alder Trees with N2-Fixing Traits in a Cool Temperate Forest

Jin Lee,Masahiro Nakamura,Tsutom Hiura

doi:10.3390/f12020210

Abstract

Nitrogen (N) deposition is expected to influence forests. The effects of large-scale N fertilization on canopy layer insect–plant interactions in stands of tall, atmospheric nitrogen (N2)-fixing tree species have never been assessed. We conducted a large-scale fertilization experiment (100 kg N ha−1 year−1 applied to approximately 9 ha) over three years (2012–2014) in a cool temperate forest in northern Japan. Our goal was to evaluate relational responses between alder (Alnus hirsuta [Turcz.]) and their insect herbivores to N deposition. Specifically, we assessed leaf traits (N concentration, C:N ratio, condensed tannin concentration, and leaf mass per unit area (LMA)) and herbivory by three feeding guilds (leaf damage by chewers and the densities of gallers and miners) between the fertilized site and an unfertilized control. Fertilization led to increased galler density in spring 2013 and increased leaf damage by chewers in late summer 2014. For leaf traits, the LMA decreased in spring 2013 and late summer 2014, and the C:N ratio decreased in late summer 2013. The N and condensed tannin concentrations remained unchanged throughout the study period. There was a negative correlation between LMA and leaf damage by chewers, but LMA was not correlated with galler density. These results show that large-scale N fertilization had a positive plant-mediated (i.e., indirect) effect on leaf damage by chewers via a decrease in LMA in the canopy layer. Changes in physical defenses in canopy leaves may be a mechanism by which N fertilization affects the herbivory in tall N2-fixing trees.

Highlights

The effects of enhanced atmospheric nitrogen (N2) deposition, a result of increased anthropogenic activities, on terrestrial ecosystem processes is a growing environmental problem [1,2]
There were no significant differences in N concentration (p > 0.050, Figure 1A) and condensed tannin concentration (p > 0.050, Figure 1D) between the control and fertilization treatment throughout the study period, which included two years following N fertilization
Insect Herbivore Responses As with leaf traits, no significant differences in leaf damage and galler or miner density were detected between the control and fertilization site prior to N fertilization (p > 0.050, Figure 2)

Summary

Introduction

The effects of enhanced atmospheric nitrogen (N2) deposition, a result of increased anthropogenic activities, on terrestrial ecosystem processes is a growing environmental problem [1,2]. Enhanced deposition leads to changes in plant community composition, decreases in plant diversity, and altered nitrogen (N) cycling [3,4,5,6]. N deposition may indirectly affect plant communities and terrestrial ecosystems by modifying plant–insect interactions [7,8]. Because increased N deposition can affect ecosystem processes directly (e.g., nutrient cycling [9]) or indirectly (e.g., causing shifts in herbivory resulting from altered host plant traits), more consideration should be given to changes in plant–insect interactions following increased N deposition, in order to fully understand N deposition effects on terrestrial ecosystem processes

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Conclusion