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Does large-scale N fertilization have time-delayed effects on insects community structure by changing oak quantity and quality?

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Abstract

The increased atmospheric deposition of nitrogen (N) may indirectly affect herbivorous insects by deposition-induced changes in host quantity and quality. To avoid the “lamp effect” that can occur in small-scale N fertilizations, large-scale N fertilization (ca. 9 ha, 100 kg N ha−1 year−1) experiments were performed in a deciduous, broad-leaved, cool temperate forest. The initial responses of mature oak canopy trees (Quercus crispula) and their herbivorous insects to N fertilization were evaluated by measuring the growth and leaf qualities of the trees. The feeding guilds and community structures of the herbivorous insects at control and fertilized sites before (2012) and after (2013–2014) N fertilization were then determined. In 2014, N fertilization enhanced plant growth. In 2013 but not 2014, N fertilization increased N content and decreased the carbon/nitrogen (C/N) ratio in leaves. Despite these changes in plant traits in 2013, N fertilization had no effect on either feeding guilds (chewing herbivory, galler density, and miner density) or community structures (species richness, diversity index, and relative abundance) of herbivorous insects in the same year. However, in 2014, the diversity index decreased significantly, whereas species richness and abundance were unchanged. This suggests that species-specific responses to changes in leaf qualities following N fertilization, in the form of altered insect fecundity, impact the diversity index of herbivorous insects, albeit with a 1-year lag time. Thus, our large-scale N fertilization experiment show the time-delayed bottom-up effects of N fertilization on insect community structure.

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Acknowledgements

We are grateful to Dr. Yoshida for the species identification of Lepidopteran larvae and to the staff of the Tomakomai experimental forest for help with N fertilization experiments and sampling. This study was supported by the JSPS (2529207903, 2331001513, 26450188) and Ministry of the Environment (S-9-3).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Graduate School of Environmental Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, 060-0810, Japan

    Jin Lee

  2. Nayoro Experimental Forest, Field Science Center for Northern Biosphere, Hokkaido University, Tokuda, Nayoro, 096-0071, Japan

    Masahiro Nakamura

  3. Tomakomai Research Station, Field Science Center for Northern Biosphere, Hokkaido University, Takaoka, Tomakomai, 053-0035, Japan

    Tsutom Hiura

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  1. Jin Lee
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Correspondence to Jin Lee.

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Lee, J., Nakamura, M. & Hiura, T. Does large-scale N fertilization have time-delayed effects on insects community structure by changing oak quantity and quality?. Arthropod-Plant Interactions 11, 515–523 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11829-016-9485-1

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