From leaves to whole plants: positive effects of shelter‐builders on arthropod communities are stronger in dry seasons

• Published in: Biotropica Vol. 56; no. 5
• Main Authors: Pereira, Cássio Cardoso, Fernandes, G. Wilson, Cornelissen, Tatiana
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hoboken Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 01.09.2024
• Subjects: Abundance; Aridity; arthropod diversity; Arthropoda; Arthropods; Biomass; Cerrado; Community composition; Dry season; ecosystem engineers; ecosystems; galls; Habitats; indirect facilitation; leaf shelter; Leaves; Miconia; microclimate; microclimatic refuges; Plants; Rainy season; Seasonal variations; Seasonality; Seasons; Shelters; species; Species composition; species diversity; Wet season

Leaf shelters function as microclimatic refuges, reducing arthropod exposure to climatic fluctuations of surrounding habitats. Although facilitation is expected to increase under stressful conditions, empirical studies investigating the patterns of variation and magnitude of effects of ecosystem eng...