Publications by authors named "Evans O Otieno"
Temporal fluctuation in nutrient availability generally promotes the growth of exotic plant species and has been recognized as an important driver of exotic plant invasions. However, little is known about how the impact of fluctuating nutrients on exotic species is dependent on the availability of other resources, although most ecosystems are experiencing dramatic variations in a wide variety of resources due to global change and human disturbance. Here, we explored how water availability mediates the effect of nutrient pulses on the growth of six exotic and six native plant species.
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- The study examines how different herbivore species and their densities impact plant responses and herbivore performance, specifically focusing on the interaction between the tallow plant and two insect herbivores, flea beetles and weevils.
- At low leaf damage levels, flea beetle larvae thrive but their survival drops at high damage levels, while weevils consistently harm flea beetle larvae as leaf damage increases.
- The research reveals that chemical changes in the plants—like decreased carbohydrates and increased tannins due to weevil feeding—affect flea beetle larval survival, highlighting the complex relationships between herbivore identity, feeding intensity, and plant responses.